Design and development of standalone DSP prototype for QT interval processing and monitoring

Abstract

This paper describes the development of stand alone DSP hardware for QT interval monitoring and assessment. The QT interval has been known to be an important indicator prior to Myocardial Infarction (MI) and it is important to observe and monitor any changes in the period of the QT interval. The system consists of three units. The first unit includes floating point digital signal processor, TMS320VC33 which is selected for the development of signal processing with memory circuit. The following unit includes the development of signal monitoring displays circuit with universal serial bus (USB) interface. The third unit includes the development of analog front end (AFE) circuit and merged with signal conditioning circuit. This paper discusses the principle of system design and the system has the advantages to maximize utilization by allowing modification, reconfiguration, portable, cost effective and run in stand-alone operation. As well as eligibility of on board pre-program algorithm for QT analysis which existing ECG monitoring equipment are lacking. The system had been successfully tested with algorithm for QT analysis and it is validated with healthy subject’s data files from PTB diagnostic ECG data base. Key words: QT interval, DSP processor, stand alone operation, portable.