Smart ECG-patch for epilepsy monitoring Master's project proposal

Smart ECG-patch for epilepsy monitoring
Master’s project proposal
Author Julien Penders
Date February 2009
IMEC Nederland
High Tech Campus 31
Building WEN
5656AE Eindhoven
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-40-277 4073
Fax: +31-40-274 6400
Julien.Penders@imec-nl.nl
www.holstcentre.com
Scope of the project
The scope of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of using a smart-ECG
patch for epileptic seizure detection, through the development and validation of a
proof-of-concept prototype. The project is realized in collaboration between the
Holst Centre research centre and the Kempenhaeghe expertise centre for
epilepsy.
Description of the project
The goal of the project is the development and validation of a wearable low power
prototype device for ECG-based epileptic seizure detection.
The Holst Centre is a R&D Institute that performs research on autonomous
wireless transducer solutions. Recently, Holst Centre has developed a wireless
ECG patch for wearable, ambulatory monitoring of ECG
(http://www.imec.be/ScientificReport/SR2007/html/1384156.html). The wireless
ECG patch features an ultra-low-power ASIC for the amplification and
conditioning of the ECG signal, and TI MSP430 micro-controller and a Nordic radio
chip-set. The micro-controller allows for the implementation of signal processing
algorithms on the patch, hence enabling the development of a smart patch.
Kempenhaeghe is an expertise centre for epilepsy and sleep-wake disorders. As
such it maintains research activities covering many aspects of epilepsy and sleepwake
disorders. The EPISODE (EPIlepsy SOphisticated DEtection) program is one
of these and focuses on technology aided detection of epileptic seizures. A part of
this program aims at the development of a wearable, wireless system that can
detect seizures in real-time using a combination of physiological parameters. In
recent years Kempenhaeghe has co-developed a prototype for the detection of
epileptic seizures based on heart rate patterns (ECG based).

The project will mainly consist in optimizing the system for epilepsy monitoring,
in implementing the algorithm on the ECG patch micro-controller, and in testing
the resulting prototype in clinical environment.
Requirement
This project shall include an internship and/or a master’s project. It will require
the presence of the student at the Holst Centre, Eindhoven, the Netherlands, for
minimum 6 months.
The student should have knowledge and/or interest in:
• Embedded software and C-code programming
• Biomedical engineering and electronics
• Biomedical algorithms
The student should also have good team-work and English communication skills.
Contact : Julien.Penders@imec-nl.nl