Multichannel data acquisition and visualisation system for intramyocardialelectrograms

The aim of the project was to develop a multichannel data acquisition syste m for the recording and visualisation of intramyocardial electrograms (IEGM ) from both the spontaneously beating and the artificially paced heart. Sig nal processing comprises multi-step amplification, filtering (0.05-800 Hz), and AD conversion (12 Bit max. 6.25 kHz). IEGMs can be obtained either in unipolar or bipolar mode. Stimulation of the heart is achieved by an incorp orated programmable dual-chamber pacemaker that can be selectively switched to the input channels. A LabView-based graphical user interface permits th e programming of all system parameters via a microcontroller, and supports data acquisition and visualisation. The system can be used in animal experi ments to monitor the spread of excitation across the heart, to measure prop agation velocity, or to measure the impact of drugs and pathological change s on the morphology of IEGMs.