Tiny 2.4 GHz wireless ECG machine can monitor heart in real conditions

A miniature 2.4 GHz wireless ECG machine has been recently demonstrated.

Eindhoven-based bio-electronic research lab IMEC-NL has demonstrated a miniature wireless ECG machine.

"We have full ECG functionality with the ease of use of an athletes heart rate monitor," said programme director Bert Gyselinckx. The patch combines textiles with a flexible polyimide substrate, and links to standard ECG electrodes.

"It can fit body curves and allows personalised placement of the electrodes," said IMEC. "It can therefore be used to monitor cardiac activity in daily-life conditions opening new perspectives for cardiovascular disease management."

Electronics include a proprietary single-channel biopotential ASIC to pick up the ECG signals, a Texas Instruments MSP430 microcontroller, and a Nordic Semiconductor nRF2401 radio operating at 2.4GHz link at up to 10m.

Meandering conductors increase the flexibility of the PCB, which is locally stiffened under the components for reliability by the battery. The 175mAh Li ion cell allows 12 hours of operation in continuous EEC monitoring mode (sampling at between 250Hz and 1kHz), or several days if only heart rate
information is required.

"In the next development phase, the demonstrator will tested in clinical trials," said IMEC. "A few more years are expected to be needed before companies will integrate the technology in actual products."

From Electronics Weekly
http://www.electronicsweekly.com/