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TeleHeart - an Exosomatic ECG Biotelemetry System

This new system, developed by Koullis Pitsillides Consulting (USA) together with Prof. Michael Axelsson at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden), replaces and improves upon conventional physiology practicals where standard ECG equipment was used to record ECG traces from both humans (students) and frogs. Using telemetry technology and custom-written software, cardiovascular parameters such as resting heart rate, orthostatic reaction - barostatic reflexes, heart rate changes during mental work and exercise, and the diving reflex, can be determined. The Exosomatic ECG Biotelemetry System comes in a sturdy case and consists primarily of an
ECG/G-force biotelemetry transmitter unit (TX-unit), and a receiver unit (RX-unit) which can be connected to a desktop or laptop computer, or other digital recorder. The TX-unit amplifies the ECG signal from two electrodes placed on the subject. For investigating G (gravitational) forces, a small G-force unit is used. The output from the RX-unit consists of the raw ECG signal, the pulse for each R wave and the X- and Y-axis G-forces. For investigating heart rate, the pulse signal is fed into a computer running the TeleHeart software. The beat-to-beat heart rate will be plotted on the screen. To visualise the raw ECG signal or to record G-forces, an analogue-to-digital (A-D) converter is used. As the subject does not need to be physically linked to the recording unit, the system is highly flexible. It has a range of at least 100m in an open environment, and can be used in the field, for face-to-face teaching, and for problem-based and distance learning by students.

Medium: Apparatus and CD-ROM
System requirements: For acquisition, transmission and reception of data - the Exosomatic ECG Biotelemetry System (ECG electrodes, TX-unit, G-force unit, RX-unit, connecting cables, 2 antennas); for data processing using the TeleHeart software - PC with Pentium processor, monitor with 1024 x 768 resolution, one free serial or parallel port (COM1, COM2, or LPT1), A-D converter (optional, for raw ECG and G-force signals)
Price: On request