FYP Logbook (Week 10 - Week 12)

Analyse Problem

1. What are the issues?

-What are the most suitable platforms for the ECG signal processing?

-Does IIR or FIR filters more useful for the Pan-Tompkins algorithm to filter out the noise of ECG signal?

2. What does the literature say about this issue(s)?

There are various platforms available now for ECG signal processing such as microprocessor, microcontroller, Personal Computer (PC), mobile phone and digital signal processor. However, they have their own drawbacks in ECG signal processing.

For real-time applications, it is mandatory that a differentiator should have as small an order as possible. Different procedures available for the design of FIR and IIR type digital differentiators are presented. The IIR Type digital differentiators are obtained by inversion and magnitude stabilization of the existing digital integrators. The use of digital differentiators for the detection of edges in an image, QRS detection in an ECG signal is illustrated.

3. Who is affected by the issue(s) and what solution will benefit the user (stakeholder)?

The issue mostly affected to patients who have heart diseases such as Coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, heart valve disease and heart failure. FPGA based ECG detection device is more suitable for patients that are busy and unrich because it’s more flexible to use and cheaper. However, it’s less accurate if compare with the clinical ECG monitor devices.

4. What is the ‘best’ solution(s)? (your recommendation)

FPGA-based ECG detector device with IIR filter.

5. What are the strength and weakness of the ‘best’ solution? (evaluation)

An FPGA likely has a quicker time-to-market because they are not pre-designed to perform certain tasks. FPGAs usually cost more upfront than a microprocessor or ASIC. On the other hand, FPGA’s are reprogrammable and making them flexible for faster prototyping and mistakes are not so costly. Besides, its also have a smaller size, low power consumption and high operating speed of circuit. However, it is less accurate if compare with clinical ECG monitor devices.

Based on the article of “On design and applications of digital differentiators” it state that IIR digital differentiators are more favorable for real-time application. The IIR differentiators can be adaptively used when systems experience high dynamics. The digital differentiators of IIR type have been proved to be much more efficient in detecting edges of an image, for example QRS detection.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths:

• What are the advantages of the recommended solution?

Cheaper, smaller size, low power consumption and flexible to use.

• What does the solution do better than other methods?

Because the FPGA-based ECG detection device is more friendly to use by normal heart diseases patients.

Weakness:

• How you can improve the method

I can improve the method by designing a FPGA-based QRS ECG device with IIR filter combinations so that can improve the accuracy of the output result.

• What should you avoid?

I should be more concentrated on designing the IIR filter of the project. Besides, I also need to check carefully for the filtered output results.

• What are the likely drawbacks of the method?

Low accuracy of the output and might give a wrong warning for the patients with heart diseases.

Opportunities:

• Could this method sustain in years to come?

I think this method might sustain for many years as FPGA is one of the most friendly-user microcontrollers to be used for the populations.

• Could this method changes with government policy related to the field?

No.

• Could this method changes with lifestyle and populations?

Possible. When a more suitable method was introduced.

Threats:

• What are the obstacles?

I think the obstacles that I might be met is the Verilog RTL design for the project and also the designing of the Pan-Tompkins algorithm in Matlab software.

• Are there any similar method/product exist /in the market?

There is similar method exist in the market.

• Could the weakness of the method degrade the performance of the system/device?

Yes. Due to the accuracy of the device, the patients might need to go to the hospital for the ECG signal monitor.  

Safety:

1. Is the system/model/device design pose any hazards (A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on something or someone).

It will not cause any harm or adverse health effects on the users. On contrary, it can keep patient’s body health because it can warm and remind the users when it detects the unusual heart rhythms of the patients.

2. Does the system/model/ device comply with government regulation?

The system should be complied with government regulation as the purpose of reducing death cases due to heart diseases.

Environmental:

1. Can the product be reused/ reduced or recycle?

The product can be reused by modifying or upgrading the features.

2. Can the design reduce energy consumption?

Cannot as the FPGA have the standard execution power consumption.

3. Will the process of the project contribute to hazardous gas emission/ ozone depletion/ resource depletion?

The process will not contribute to hazardous gas emission/ ozone depletion/ resource depletion.

Design solution in global and societal context:

1. Is the system/ model/ design cost effective?

The system design cost will be cost effective for the heart diseases patients to reduce the expenses for clinical ECG interpretation.

2. How can your design benefit the community?

Yes. My design will be beneficial for heart diseases patients to keep monitoring their heart rhythm so that when it detects the heart rhythm is unusual, it will warn and alert the patients on time. Therefore, my design can reduce the death cases that cause by heart diseases and keep the user’s body health.

Construct a FYP1 Gantt Chart