Signal conditioning for heart health monitoring

Historically, EKG has been a diagnostic tool exclusive to the medical sector where data is collected in a 12-lead configuration using wet electrodes.

When EKG monitoring equipment was adapted to be used outside of the clinical setting, challenges such as device accuracy and clinical validity hindered the widespread adoption of smart wearable technologies. The most efficient way to solve this problem is to make sure that all data undergoes signal conditioning.

What is signal conditioning and why is it important?
The EKG signal acquired by hardware consists of EKG and additional noise such as powerline noise, muscle and motion artefact. This can make it difficult to clearly detect individual waves in the EKG signal, which can lead to inaccuracies in readings and compromise the EKG recording.

Signal conditioning is the filtering of the digital signal to extract the underlying EKG and its features.

With an estimated 33.5 million people experiencing arrhythmias globally and an increase in wearable devices being used to monitor these arrhythmias, accuracy is now more important that ever. Signal conditioning eradicates the challenges from dry electrodes, making sure that all readings are precise and therefore instilling authority in any device.

High quality signal conditioning is paramount to ensuring the EKG signal is detected correctly, allowing for highly accurate data extraction and enhanced user experience. This provides a solid foundation for all algorithms to be built upon.

HeartKey® Signal Conditioning
Intelligent signal conditioning is key to making sure that the highest quality EKG signal is fed into the algorithms, and thereby delivering the highest levels of accuracy.

Through our adaptive signal conditioning technology, part of the FDA cleared HeartKey® library, devices can promise precise EKG detection in real time using dry electrodes, which form the foundation of our more advanced algorithms.

We have carried out extensive testing to ensure that our algorithms perform to highest level of accuracy, providing a true indication of cardiac rhythms. The results shown from our signal conditioning consistently reflect those of well-known Holter monitors (a small wearable device used by the medical sector to keep track of your heart rhythm). The goal is to eliminate the most resistance, interference, and noise to guarantee a clearer EKG recording for better data, diagnosis, and patient treatment.