Project: Next Generation ECG Monitoring System

Novosense patented technology represents a new way of measuring ECGs. The proposed ECG monitoring system is intended to replace today’s stationary and portable equipment. The ECG system consist of;_x000D_1. ECG Senor (Sensor) _x000D_2. ECG base station (Base Station)_x000D_3. Back-end ECG system (Back-End System)_x000D__x000D_The Sensor measure ECG with Novosenses patented measurement technology, is totally self-contained and relies on wireless communication to transmit the patent data. The measuring technology make it possible to monitor ECG without any cables on the body, which is unique and there exist today no similar ECG monitoring system. The developed Sensor will have a maximum length and thickness of 40 mm and 15 mm respectively. The Sensor is then attached to the body via a disposable electrode also developed in the project. The disposable electrode would be constructed from base material from existing manufacturer of electrodes, e.g. 3M P to Novosense, having conducting adhesive attaching the electrodes to the skin. ECG signals is transmitted via a radio to a Base Station connected to the local network and where the signals are relayed to the Back-End System. The ECG information is integrated to the hospitals clinical information systems via the Back-End System and could thus be saved or analysed using existing installed systems. The Base Station will also be able to transmit ECG data to a bedside monitor providing a smaller solution where this is suitable. _x000D__x000D_The operating time for a sensors is 24 hours. After this time the batteries are depleted. Market research that Novosense has conducted, identified three major areas that have great importance for gaining market acceptance. One is that communications have to be reliable and must be able to coexist with existing wireless systems. Secondly, a long operational time reduces handling time and thus reduces cost over all. Third, total cost of the new system must not exceed present direct costs too much._x000D__x000D_Integrating Noveldas Ultra Wideband Impulse Radio (UWB-IR) technology with Novosense ECG technology would deliver several benefits to the application. The radio technology has a very low power consumption, which would increase the ECG sensors operational life span and reducing the size of the sensor. The radio technology is designed to apply with worldwide standards defining the range of allowable/available frequencies (FCC: 3.1GHz to 10.6GHz, ETSI: 6.0GHz to 8.5GHz). Thus the ECG sensor system could be marketed world wide. The high bandwidth allows for disturbance free coexistence of several transceivers and thus supports many sensors at a high data rate operating in close vicinity. Furthermore the UWB-band is today unoccupied as there are basically no radios on the market utilising the UWB frequencies. Taking the high bandwidth, the low frequency utilisation and the appliance to worldwide standards into account, the Novelda radio solution would give Novosense ECG system a significant advantage compared to competing telemetry systems. _x000D__x000D_The proposed project has been divided into three major tasks; 1) integrate Noveldas Ultra Wideband Impulse Radio with Novosense ECG Sensor technology, 2) Making the resulting ECG System into a product combining the technology 3) clinical trials of the resulting ECG System._x000D_

Acronym NextGenECG (Reference Number: 5274)
Duration 01/04/2010 - 01/12/2012
Project Topic Novosense patented technology is intended to replace today’s ECG stationary and portable equipment. The technology will be integrated in the product increasing market acceptance and usability. The developed wireless ECG product will be clinically tested within the project.
Project Results
(after finalisation)
The CO goal for Novelda within the project was to develop a new UWB radio architecture integrated in a single CMOS IC targeting high bandwidth short range communication for medical sensors. During the project a functional prototype was developed through a number of iterations along with related software and protocols. The radio was integrated and tested with the Novosence ECG sensor.
Network Eurostars
Call Eurostars Cut-Off 3

Project partner

Number Name Role Country
2 Novelda AS Partner Norway
2 Novosense AB Coordinator Sweden