Freescale Semiconductor and Monebo Technologies have partnered to deliver a platform for medical equipment using electrocardiogram (ECG) technology. The “ECG-on-a-chip” combines Monebo's Kinetic ECG software with Freescale's embedded processing technology so medical-equipment manufacturers can develop easy-to-use ECG monitoring tools.

Monebo has developed an algorithm which signal processes and interprets the ECG waveform. The algorithm provides accurate Q, R, and S wave detection and feature extraction, beat classification, interval measurement, and rhythm interpretation for up to 16 leads of captured ECG data. The software runs on a range of Freescale microprocessors (MPUs) and microcontrollers (MCUs). These let developers choose their ECG applications, based on performance, operating power, integration and system cost needs.

ECG monitors help identify cardiac conditions and monitor a patient's health. The World Health Organization says cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. By 2015, an estimated 20 million people will die from cardiovascular disease every year, primarily from heart attacks and strokes.

The algorithms and processing platforms provide detailed information to clinicians, letting them monitor heart patients from a remote location and also analyze and interpret ECG data from any device, including those used for pharmaceutical clinical trials,” said Monebo CEO Dale Misczynski. The FDA’s 510(k) clearance on the Kinetic algorithm streamlines end-device regulatory filings.

Applications for the ECG-on-a-chip include event recording by an auto-trigger alarms to warn of heart problems and call center decision support, and bedside patient monitoring that would allow real-time monitoring of patients with instant access to information by doctors. Also it could allow interval measurements for clinical trials or monitoring and adjusting patient dosage of medicine.