Electrocardiograph (ECG) circuit design and software-based processing using LabVIEW

Authors

  • M.M. Abdul Jamil Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Pt. Raja, Batu Pahat 86400, Johore, MALAYSIA
  • C.F. Soon Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Pt. Raja, Batu Pahat 86400, Johore, MALAYSIA
  • A. Achilleos Faculty of Engineering & Informatics, School of Engineering, University of Bradford, Bradford, Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK
  • M. Youseffi Faculty of Engineering & Informatics, School of Engineering, University of Bradford, Bradford, Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK
  • F. Javid Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK

Keywords:

ECG Circuit Design, Noise Elimination, LabVIEW Processing, ECG Component Measurements,

Abstract

The efficiency and acquisition of a clean (diagnosable) ECG signal dependent upon the proper selection of electronic components and the techniques used for noise elimination. Given that the human body and the lead cables act as antennas, hence picking up noises from the surroundings, thus a major part in the design of an ECG device is to apply various techniques for noise reduction at the early stage of the transmission and processing of the signal. This paper, therefore, covers the design and development of a Single Chanel 3-Lead Electrocardiograph and a Software-based processing environment. Main design characteristics include reduction of common mode voltages, good protection for the patient, use of the ECG device for both monitoring and automatic extraction (measurements) of the ECG components by the software. The hardware consisted of a lead selection stage for the user to select the bipolar lead for recording, a pre-amplification stage for amplifying the differential potentials while rejecting common mode voltages, an electrical isolation stage from three filtering stages with different bandwidths for noise attenuation, a power line interference reduction stage and a final amplification stage. A program in LabVIEW was developed to further improve the quality of the ECG signal, extract all its features and automatically calculate the main ECG output waveforms. The program had two main sections: The filtering section for removing power line interference, wideband noises and baseline wandering, and the analysis section for automatically extracting and measuring all the features of the ECG in real time. A Front Panel Environment was, therefore, developed for the user interface. The present system produced ECG tracings without the influence of noise/artefacts and provided accurate detection and measurement of all the components of the ECG signal.

References

Northrop, Robert B., 2004, Analysis and application of analogue electronic circuits to biomedical instrumentation. s.l. : CRC Press.

Laks, M.M., et al., 1996, Recommendations for safe current limits for electrocardiographs, A statement for healthcare professionals from the Committee on Electrocardiography, American Heart Association, Vol. Circulation 93, pp. 837-9.

Metting Van Rijn, A.C., Peper, A. and Grimbergen C., 1990, Highquality recording of bioelectric events. Part 1, Interference reduction, theory and practice, Medical & Biomedical Engineering & Computing, Vol. 28, pp. 389-97.

Sircar, S., 2014, Principles of medical physiology, 2nd Edition, Thieme.

Bailey, J.J., et al., 1990, Recommendations for standardization and specifications in automated electrocardiography: bandwidth and digital signal processing, A report for health professionals by an ad hoc writing group of the Committee on Electrocardiography and Cardiac Electrophysiology of the Council on Clinical Cardiology, American Heart Association, Vol. Circulation. 81, pp. 730-9.

Youseffi, M. and Achilleos, A., 2015, Book: Design and manufacturing of a single channel medical ECG device, ISBN: 978-3-659-78086-8.

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Published

2017-11-30

How to Cite

Abdul Jamil, M., Soon, C., Achilleos, A., Youseffi, M., & Javid, F. (2017). Electrocardiograph (ECG) circuit design and software-based processing using LabVIEW. Journal of Telecommunication, Electronic and Computer Engineering (JTEC), 9(3-8), 57–66. Retrieved from https://jtec.utem.edu.my/jtec/article/view/3099

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 3-8: Recent Trend in Electronic, Computing and Communication

Section

Articles

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