Signal quality index for ECG signals

Important results from the project

The purpose of the project was to create a quantitative measure of the signal quality of a recorded ECG. The project has created the opportunity to quickly and objectively analyze large amounts of recorded ECG data to objectively estimate the signal quality. Good signal quality is directly correlated with the diagnostic value of the data, ie the ability to make an accurate cardiac diagnosis of the patient.

Expected long term effects

The results the project has generated, an index of recorded ECG data, and then demonstrate differences in quality between signals, offer great opportunities going forward. The industry is in the starting blocks for collecting large amounts of ECG data in order to build databases for future diagnostics and forecasting. Best possible signal quality is then of utmost importance and today there is no established objective way of measuring this. Here lies great opportunities for Piotrode to be able to demonstrate dramatically better signal quality.

Approach and implementation

In part 1 of the project, we have developed functional prototypes for testing on healthy subjects. With these prototypes, measurements have been carried out simultaneously with measurements on an established commercial sensor. This part has worked very well. In part 2 of the project, then recorded data has been analyzed in a script-based analysis tool and on that basis a Signal Quality Index has been established. Part 2 has worked very well and shown large differences in signal quality and created an index.