LITERATURE SURVEY ON MUSCLE NOISE REDUCTION IN

ECG SIGNAL
BY: SRUTHIKA K
REG NO.:210929236

INTRODUCTION

Muscle noise, also known as electromyographic (EMG) interference, poses a

significant challenge in biomedical signal processing, particularly in
applications such as electrocardiography (ECG) and electromyography (EMG).
These unwanted electrical signals, originating from muscle activity, can obscure
the underlying physiological signals, leading to misinterpretation and inaccurate
diagnosis.
Muscle noise in biomedical signals is characterised by high-frequency, low-
amplitude artefacts that often overlap with the target signals of interest. These
artefacts can be caused by voluntary muscle contractions, involuntary
movements, or external interference, making their removal complex.

RESEARCH PAPER 1
(23rd Iranian Conference on Electrical Engineering, ICEE)

TITLE: Dynamic Gaussian Filter for Muscle Noise Reduction in ECG Signal
AUTHORS:
Abdolkarim Hashemi
R&D Department
Pooyandegan Rah Saadat Co.
Tehran, Iran

Masoomeh Rahimpour
R&D Department
Pooyandegan Rah Saadat Co.
Tehran, Iran

Mahmoud Reza Merati

R&D Department
Pooyandegan Rah Saadat Co.
Tehran, Iran

This research paper proposes a novel approach to mitigate muscle noise interference in
electrocardiogram (ECG) signals through the implementation of a Dynamic Gaussian Filter. Muscle
noise, often present in ECG recordings, poses a significant challenge for accurate signal analysis and
diagnosis. The proposed filter is designed to adapt its parameters dynamically, providing variable
smoothing effects tailored to different parts of the ECG signal.

Objective: The primary goal is to reduce the impact of muscle noise in ECG signals, improving the
accuracy of signal analysis and diagnosis.

Methodology: The authors introduce a Dynamic Gaussian Filter that adjusts its parameters
dynamically based on the characteristics of the ECG signal. The filter aims to selectively smooth
different segments of the signal, considering variations in muscle noise across the recording.

Evaluation: The effectiveness of the proposed Dynamic Gaussian Filter is evaluated through
comprehensive testing on ECG datasets containing muscle noise. Comparative analysis with existing
filtering methods demonstrates the superior performance of the dynamic approach in reducing muscle
noise while preserving ECG signal integrity.

Results: Results indicate significant improvements in signal quality, with reduced muscle noise
artefacts and enhanced diagnostic clarity. The adaptive nature of the filter proves beneficial in
handling diverse noise patterns encountered in ECG recordings.

Practical Implications: The proposed filter has practical applications in clinical settings where
accurate ECG interpretation is critical. Real-time implementation of the Dynamic Gaussian Filter
offers the potential for immediate noise reduction during data acquisition.

Conclusion: The research concludes that the Dynamic Gaussian Filter effectively addresses the
challenge of muscle noise in ECG signals. The adaptive nature of the filter showcases its potential for
enhancing the reliability of ECG-based diagnostic systems.
RESEARCH PAPER 2
TITLE: Removal of multiple artefacts from ECG signal using cascaded multistage adaptive noise
cancellers.

AUTHORS:
Mohammed Mujahid Ulla Faiza
Applied DSP and VLSI Research Group,
Department of Computer Science and Engineering,
University of Westminster
London, United Kingdom.

Izzet Kale
Applied DSP and VLSI Research Group,
Department of Computer Science and Engineering,
University of Westminster
London, United Kingdom

The research paper discusses the application of adaptive noise cancellation methods to improve the
quality of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals by removing various artefacts, including baseline wander,
motion artefacts, muscle artefacts, and 60 Hz power line interference (PLI). Several adaptive
algorithms, such as Least Mean Square (LMS), Least Mean Fourth (LMF), Sign Regressor Least
Mean Square (SRLMS), and others, are reviewed and compared for their effectiveness in reducing
noise.
Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC): ANC is a method used to estimate signals corrupted by
additive noise or interference in biomedical signal processing, particularly in electrocardiogram
(ECG) signals.

Basic Principle: ANC utilizes a primary input (corrupted signal) and a secondary input (reference
signal) that represents the noise correlated with the primary input. The reference signal is adaptively
filtered and subtracted from the primary input to obtain the signal estimate.

Applications in ECG Signal Processing: ANC is employed to address various types of noise in ECG
signals, including baseline wander, 60 Hz power line interference (PLI), muscle artefacts, and motion
artefacts.
Algorithmic Approaches: Various adaptive algorithms, such as NSRLMS, NSELMS, NSSLMS,
LMS, LMF, SRLMS, SELMS, SSLMS, SRLMF, and SRLMMN, were studied for their effectiveness
in cancelling different artefacts from ECG signals.

Contributions of the Paper: The paper introduces a cascaded 4-stage adaptive noise canceller
designed to remove baseline wander, motion artefacts, muscle artefacts, and 60 Hz PLI from ECG
signals. The authors compare the performance of different adaptive algorithms and implement the
best-performing ones in the proposed cascaded structure.

Simulation Results: The proposed cascaded 4-stage adaptive noise

canceller, employing specific algorithms like LMMN and LMF, demonstrates a significant
improvement in Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) compared to other algorithms.

Conclusion: The paper concludes by highlighting the achievements of the proposed scheme in
enhancing the quality of ECG signals by effectively suppressing various types of noise and
interference.

RESEARCH PAPER 3
TITLE: Grasshopper optimization algorithm based improved variational mode decomposition
technique for muscle artefact removal in ECG using dynamic time warping.

AUTHORS:
Pavan G Malghan
Department of Communication Engineering
School of Electronics Engineering
Vellore Institute of Technology

Malaya Kumar Hota

Department of Communication Engineering
School of Electronics Engineering
Vellore Institute of Technology

The research paper addresses the challenging task of removing unwanted noise, particularly muscle
artefact (MA) or electromyographic (EMG) noise, from electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. The
presence of such noise can significantly distort the signal, impacting accurate signal interpretation. To
tackle this issue, the research proposes an innovative filtering technique that combines the
grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA), variational mode decomposition (VMD) method, and
dynamic time warping (DTW) distance concept. The research presents an innovative and effective
methodology for denoising ECG signals, specifically targeting MA noise, and demonstrates its
superiority through rigorous evaluation against established techniques.
Methodology:
Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (GOA): GOA is employed to identify optimal parameters for the
VMD process. GOA is a nature-inspired optimization algorithm used to optimize the performance of
the subsequent signal-processing steps.
Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD): VMD is utilized to decompose the ECG signal into various
modes, including those containing MA noise. The optimal parameters obtained from GOA contribute
to the effectiveness of the VMD process.

Dynamic Time Warping (DTW): DTW is applied to discover relevant modes containing MA noise.
DTW helps in aligning and comparing time series signals, enabling the identification of noise-
containing modes for further processing.

Denoising Using Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT): The identified modes with MA noise are
denoised using the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) method. DWT is a well-established technique
for signal denoising.
Performance Evaluation: The proposed technique is evaluated using a real-time MIT-BIH
arrhythmia database, comparing its performance with existing techniques. Evaluation metrics include
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), mean square error (MSE), correlation coefficient (CC), among others.
Results: The proposed technique demonstrates superior performance in denoising MA noise
compared to existing methods, as indicated by the computed evaluation metrics. This suggests its
effectiveness in improving the quality of ECG recordings.
Conclusion: The research introduces a novel approach for MA noise removal in ECG signals by
integrating GOA, VMD, DTW, and DWT. The proposed technique outperforms existing methods,
emphasizing its potential for enhancing the accuracy of ECG signal analysis and interpretation.

RESEARCH PAPER 4
TITLE: Novel Digital Filter Design for Noise Removal in Fetus ECG Signals
AUTHORS:
Mohammed Jaleel Seeni Mohamed Aliar Maraikkayar
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering,
Sethu Institute of Technology,
Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai, India
Rajendran Tamilselv
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering,
Sethu Institute of Technology,
Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai, India

Mohammed Gani Parisa Beham

Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering,
Sethu Institute of Technology,
Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai, India

Mohamed Maideen Amjath Hasan

Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering,
Sethu Institute of Technology,
Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai, India

Over the past two decades, there has been a surge in cardiac issues, particularly in foetuses, prompting
increased biomedical research in cardiovascular health. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a vital non-
invasive screening tool, but challenges arise in maintaining signal quality, especially in foetal
electrocardiogram (FECG) signals due to various noises. Power line interference, electrode contact,
motion artefacts, and instrumentation noise contribute to inaccuracies in ECG analysis. Biomedical
signal processing employs digital filters, particularly Finite Impulse Response (FIR) and Infinite
Impulse Response (IIR), for noise elimination. The paper underscores the need for effective digital
filter design to enhance accuracy and preserve signal quality in biomedical applications.

Methods: In the proposed design, an adaptive filter is convolved with the IIR filter; the resultant is
again convolved with the Chebyshev filter to improve the filtering response of the system. The system
performance has been evaluated based on the signal-to-noise ratio and power of the FECG signal.

Results: The experimental results have also been compared with the state-of-the-art filters, and it is
observed that the proposed filter design achieves high SNR and signal power of 39.92dB and -100dB,
respectively.

Conclusion: Filtering operation plays a significant role in the noise analysis of biological signals for
better accuracy. In the order of five, the filter has shown to have the best result in terms of SNR and
average power of the signal.

RESEARCH PAPER 5
(International Conference on Machine Learning and Data Engineering)

TITLE: Design of filters using current amplifiers for removal of noises from ECG signal
AUTHORS:
Shruthi Jain
Department of ECE,
Jaypee University of Information Technology,
Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India

Sudip Paul
Department of ECE,
Jaypee University of Information Technology,
Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India

The research paper focuses on addressing the challenges in Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal
processing, a vital tool in medical science for recording the heart's electrical activity. In the context of
increasing cardiac issues, especially in foetal health, the study emphasizes the need for innovative
approaches to filter out undesirable noises present in ECG signals. The proposed solution involves
designing filters using various amplifiers, including operational amplifiers, two-stage operational
amplifiers (2SOA), and operational transconductance amplifiers (GM amplifiers). The research aims
to improve the signal quality by eliminating electromyography and baseline wander noises, crucial for
accurate cardiac diagnostics. The significance of biomedical signals, technological trends in
biomedical engineering, and the importance of advanced signal processing techniques are highlighted
in the introduction. The paper concludes by emphasizing the superiority of current amplifiers in
achieving better gain improvement compared to traditional operational amplifiers.
Objective: The primary objective of the research is to design and evaluate filters for removing
electromyography (EMG) noise and baseline wander noise from Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals.
The study aims to enhance the signal quality of ECG recordings, particularly in the context of foetal
health monitoring.
Methodology:
Signal Recording: Utilization of ECG, a non-invasive method, to measure the electrical activity of the
heart. The study involves the application of 10 electrodes to obtain a 12-section ECG trace, each
corresponding to a different area of the heart.
Noise Identification: Identification of various noises affecting ECG signals, including power line
interference, electrode contact noise, motion artifacts, muscle contraction, baseline sway, and
instrumentation noise.

Filter Design: Designing filters for noise elimination, employing different amplifiers - operational
amplifiers, two-stage operational amplifiers (2SOA), and operational transconductance amplifiers (gm
amplifiers). The filters specifically target EMG noise and baseline wander noise.
Results: Comparison of Filters: Comparative analysis of filters designed using operational amplifiers,
2SOA, and gm amplifiers. Evaluation based on parameters such as gain improvement and
effectiveness in eliminating targeted noises.
Gain Improvement: Assessment of the gain improvement achieved by current amplifiers (2SOA and
gm amplifiers) compared to traditional operational amplifiers.
Signal Quality Improvement: The study aims to demonstrate that the proposed filters result in better
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and improved signal power in comparison to existing methods.