9th IFAC Workshop on Programmable Devices and Embedded Systems

Roznov pod Radhostem, Czech Republic, February 10-12, 2009

Laboratory task for measuring ECG and heart axis rotation

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*Department of measurement and control, VSB-Technical university of Ostrava

CZE (Tel: 00420-59-732-5280;milos.kucera.fei@vsb.cz).
** Department of measurement and control, VSB-Technical university of Ostrava
CZE (Tel: 00420-59-732-5280;milos.kucera.fei@vsb.cz).

Abstract: In this time is the electrocardiograph (ECG) and vector-cardiograph (VCG) are one of the
most useful medical methods, how to diagnostic functions of hearth. This gives us information about the
electrical activity of the heart and heart axis over time. This project is interested in the process and views
of the ECG signal and heart axis, which was measured on the human body via the biosignal amplifier.
This signal is processed over ECG box, biosignal amplifier, AD converter and software application.
Whole system is made by the MATLAB software. The goal of this work was to made the quality system,
which will process the signal in real-time and were the user can set the main characteristics and
parameters for the process ± isoelectric line, leads and etc.
Keywords: Electrocardiograph (ECG), vector-cardiograph (VCG), biosignal amplifier, AD converter,
isoelectric OLQH«

1. INTRODUCTION Lead II is a dipole with the negative (white)

1.1 Electrocardiography and Vector-cardiograph
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a recording of the
electrical activity of the heart over time produced by an
electrocardiograph, usually in a non-invasive recording via
skin electrodes. Sympathetic electrical impulses in the heart
originate in the sinoatrial node and travel through the heart
muscle where they impart electrical initiation of systole or
contraction of the heart. The electrical waves can be
measured at selectively placed electrodes (electrical contacts)
on the skin. Electrodes on different sides of the heart measure
the activity of different parts of the heart muscle. An EKG
displays the voltage between pairs of these electrodes, and
the muscle activity that they measure, from different
directions, also understood as vectors. This display indicates
the overall rhythm of the heart and weaknesses in different
parts of the heart muscle. It is the best way to measure and
diagnose abnormal rhythms of the heart, particularly
abnormal rhythms caused by damage to the conductive tissue
that carries electrical signals, or abnormal rhythms caused by
levels of dissolved salts (electrolytes), such as potassium, that
are too high or low. In myocardial infarction (MI), the ECG
can identify damaged heart muscle.
1.2 (LQWKRYHQ¶V bipolar leads
Lead I is a dipole with the negative (white) electrode
on the right arm and the positive (black) electrode
on the left arm.
electrode on the right arm and the positive (red)
electrode on the left leg.
Lead III is a dipole with the negative (black)
electrode on the left arm and the positive (red)
electrode on the left leg.
1.3 Heart axis
The heart's electrical axis refers to the general direction of the
heart's depolarization wave-front (or mean electrical vector)
in the frontal plane. It is usually oriented in a right shoulder
to left leg direction, which corresponds to the left inferior
quadrant of the hex-axial reference system, although -30ƒ to
+90ƒ is considered to be normal.
Left axis deviation (-30ƒ to -90ƒ) may indicate left
anterior fascicular block or Q waves from inferior
MI. Left axis deviation is considered normal in
pregnant women and those with emphysema.
Right axis deviation (+90ƒ to +180ƒ) may indicate
left posterior fascicular block, Q waves from high
lateral MI, or a right ventricular strain pattern. Right
deviation is considered normal in children and is a
standard effect of dextrocardia.
Extreme right axis deviation (+180ƒ to -90ƒ) is rare,
and considered an 'electrical no-man's land'.
See 3HQKDNHU0,PPUDPRYVNê07LHIHQEDFK3.RE]D
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2. METHOD 2.2.2 A/D converter

DAQPad ± 6052E National Instruments

2.1 Boundary requirements on measuring chain
Parameters:
16th-channel amplifier with sufficient input resistance at
least 100MOhm, amplification by tens of thousands, Interface: IEEE -1394
frequency band 0,01Hz ± 250Hz, notch filter for 50Hz, Number of analogue inputs: 16
band-pass filter to filter out uniflow and slowly changing Level of input resolution: 16bites
elements of signal and working as an anti-aliasing filter at Input range: from “9to “10V
the same time. Number of analogue outputs: 2
16th-channel A/D converter, with at least 16th bites and Level of output resolution: ELWĤ
minimal sampling frequency 500Hz for each channel. Output range: “10V
Digital I/O: 2
Counter/Timers: 2
2.2 Measuring chain Software: Traditional NI-DAQ

ECG is scanned according to a given connection at laboratory

task. ECG box is used in case of scanning ECG. In this case
LVFKRVHQD(LQWKRYHQ¶VFRQQHFWLRQIRUPHDVXULQJ0HDVXUHG 2.3 Software
bio-signals are led to bio-amplifier, then to A/D converter
and from there data are transmitted via interface IEEE 1394
2.3.1 Requirements on software
(FireWire) to PC where they are processed and visualised by
software created in Matlab.
Fundamental requirement on software is a setting of
communication with A/D converter, a creating of parametric
functions for the setting of A/D converter, a creating of
ECG ECGbox
Bioamplifier
A/D
converter PC+
measuring functions for scanning data from inputs of A/D
BSamp DAQPad-
6052E
Matlab
converters, their processing and visualisation.

Fig. 1. Block scheme of measuring chain. 2.3.1 Software project

Setting of communication with A/D converter

2.2.1 Amplifier Setting of parameters of A/D converter
Choice of intensity of sampling frequency
Bio-amplifier BSamp of Gtec Company is meant for a Functions of measuring:
scanning of electroencephalographic, electrocardiographic, Start of measuring
electromyographic and electroculgraphic signal primarily. Load ECG data
16 channels are divided into 4 parts with 4 channels. Each of Stop measuring
these parts is adjusted to intensity of amplification and by its Detect QRS complex
parameters to given type of biosignal. Set isoelectric-line
Count area between Q and S waves
Parameters: Count and display resulting angle heart axis
Exit program
16 bipolar channels
Input: level of bio-signals (up to 5mV)
Output: “5 V For better visualisation is software-run displayed on Fig.2.
Frequency band: 0,01Hz ± 50kHz
Input resistance: >110Mȍ
CMRR: >110dB

Adjustable intensity of amplification and parameters of filters

with an use of DIP switches.

279
 Load ECG data

Detec QRS CH1: Detec QRS CH2:

Set izoelectricline CH1: Set izoelectricline CH2:

Fig. 3. 8VHU¶V interface of the main part of the application.

Count area between Q and S Count area between Q and S
waves CH1 waves CH2 Magnitude of these surfaces is charted to polar system with
condition, that vectors whose initial value is equal size of
magnitude calculated surfaces and ending value is determined
E\ FRRUGLQDWH RULJLQ $[LV IRUP DQ DQJOH DFFXUDWHO\ ƒ
with condition, that surface volume of the first lead lies on x-
Count and disply VCG
axis. By those vectors is lead bisector. Bisector represents
general bisector equation in plane in the form:
A x B y C 0 (1)

Fig. 2. Structure of program process.

3. RESULTS
Software was created in programming environment
Matlab2007a. Then main part of application starts and XVHU¶V
interface with control buttons and graphs for a depiction of
measured data, adjusted to selected type of measurement, are
displayed.
After start up of main part of the application variable
attributes are initialized and starting attributes of XVHU¶V
interface set. Then the communication with A/D converter is
set up by Matlab I/O Config function.
Fig. 4. Area of QRS complex from channel 1.
Consequently program will get to a main loop which can be
terminated by EXIT button only. In this main loop program Where values x, y are values of normal vector.
does not perform any activity unless a user initiates it by Then is created bisector, which is perpendicular to
pressing Load data button. This way is enabled by a program both bisectors. Point of intersection solves equation
Event Structure. After that data are depicted on graph see system:
obr.3. On Graph are displayed data from channel I and II.
Mentioned above the project was created in Matlab, which A x1 B y1 C 0
(2)
makes it possible to resolve computing and visualization of A x2 B y 2 C 0
analytical geometry. Entire algorithm is based of several
parts. In the first part is important to ascertain magnitude of
surface, which contain wave Q and S in the picked channels
see obr. 4 and 5.

280

Fig. 4. Area of QRS complex from channel 2.
Coordinate, which is result system of equation.
Bisector is constructed so that passed through this
point and initial point vector basis. After that the is
counted angel, what make an angle this bisector
with x-axis. The angle is counted from equation:
ab
cos
a b
Fig. 5. Displayed angle of heart axis
4. DISCUSION
In this time is the electrocardiograph (ECG) and vector-
cardiograph (VCG) are one of the most useful medical
methods, how to diagnostic functions of hearth. This gives us
very important information about the electrical activity of the
heart. From heart angle is possible to get information about
heart disease as are: prior myocardial infarction, recent
ischemia, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary obstructive
disease, myocardial hypertrophy, dilated cardiomyopathy,
conduction abnormalities etc.
5. CONCLUSION
The goal of this work was made quality system, which will
process the signal in real-time and were the user can set the
main characteristics and parameters for the process and also
count heart axis from QRS complex and displayed it.
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