SmartECG project
The main goal of this project is to extend the functions of the mobile ECG event recorder device called CardioBlue with an application for wireless devices. The ECG device is a typical representative of the currently available mobile (medical) sensors: it is able to record 1-5 ECG channels, but it can store only 60 minutes of recorded data in its internal memory, and while its 16-bits core running at 8MHz consumes extremely low power, it is not suitable for complex signal processing purposes. Fortunately, CardioBlue is equipped with a Bluetooth interface which allows the configuration of the device and grants access to the sensed ECG data even in real time. This feature opened up the possibility to extend the functionality of this highly resource-constrained device.
It has turned out that the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet is an ideal tool for this extension. It has an easy to use user interface, sufficient computational power and data storage for performing complex tasks, standard wireless interfaces that allow connectivity to other devices, and an easily extensible software environment.
When designing the functionality extension of CardioBlue, we had two application areas in mind: the PDA can be useful in the clinical domain and naturally, in the homecare scenario. Thus, the SmartECG application that runs on the N800 has two operation modes: the doctor and the patient modes. The doctor mode is a full featured one with the possibility to configure CardioBlue, download and display ECG data, transfer the data via e-mail or via real-time protocol, thus making remote consultation possible. The patient mode is helpful in homecare. It shows only 3 big buttons which store/send ECG data with preconfigured parameters and help to replace the ECG electrodes after bathing.
A prototype version of this application was introduced at an international medical workshop in Düsseldorf called Medica 2006.
Web page: http://openmedical.sed.hu/smartecg