Designing a Novel ECG Simulator: Multi-Modality Electrocardiography into a Three- Dimensional Wire Cube Network

摘要

This article focuses on the design of a novel electrocardiography (ECG) training simulator that has two important training modalities: a) placing electrodes on the desired locations, and b) examining ECG signals measured from the electrodes. In this study, we designed a 3-dimensional cube network consisting of electric wires and resistors for the simulator, which generates ECG signals to simulate heart function. Specifically, this simulator generates ECG signals through multiple steps. In the first step, the embedded microcontroller generates pulse width modulation (PWM) signals that are converted from vectorcardiography signals (VCGs). In the next step, RC filters convert the PWM signals into analog ECG signals. Finally, the ECG signals are applied for the twelve orthogonal resistors available on the cube. As ECG signals can be measured at various grid points on the cube (7 ? 7 ? 7), this novel simulator offers a significant training modality of placing electrodes on the right locations. The measurement angle is realized within ?4 degree deviation from ideal ECG locations. For the second modality, the simulator of this research can generate various ECG signals including base normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and myocardial infarction (MI), collected from an open data source. The multimodal simulator of this paper is expected to significantly enhance the efficacy of ECG training sessions.