World-leading nanoelectronics research centre imec and Holst Centre, an open-innovation initiative by imec and TNO (NL), today announced the availability of evaluation kits for their proprietary ultra-low power ECG analog front-end chip for ambulatory cardiac monitoring.
The evaluation kits enable device companies to evaluate imec and Holst Centre’s extremely robust ultra-low power technology on their own portable cardiac monitoring solutions.
The ultralow power ECG analog front-end chip provides ECG monitoring at extremely low energy consumption (20uW per channel at a supply voltage of 1.2µV). The chip monitors up to 3-lead ECG signals in compliance with ANSI-AAMI and IEC standards for ECG monitoring. The chip also monitors tissue-contact impedance to provide real-time information on the electrode contact quality and lead-off detection.
The evaluation kit provides all necessary hardware and software to evaluate the characteristics of the chip, and includes the above ECG front-end chip and an evaluation board to measure the performance of the chip. The kit is fast and easy to set-up, and can be easily customized to meet the specific solution of the customer.
The ultralow power ECG analog front-end chip.
“Imec and Holst Centre’s technologies for wireless sensor systems deliver the promise of a better and more comfortable, time and cost-efficient method for remote personal healthcare,” stated Chris Van Hoof, Human++ program director at Holst Centre/imec. “We are confident that our ECG analog front-end chip meets the specifications of the industry, to wirelessly record ECG signals with state-of-the-art medical accuracy and reliability, and with extremely robust and power efficient data processing and data transmission to enable long-term functioning on only a small battery. With our evaluation kits, we continue to provide value for our customers, enabling them to test the technology tuned towards the specific solution they are envisioning.”
About imec
Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China, India and Japan. Its staff of more than 2,000 people includes more than 650 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2012, imec's revenue (P&L) totaled 320 million euro.
Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC International (a legal entity set up under Belgian law as a "stichting van openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the Flemish Government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Centre which is supported by the Dutch Government), imec Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.) and imec China (IMEC Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.) and imec India (Imec India Private Limited).
About Holst Centre
Holst Centre is an independent open-innovation R&D centre that develops generic technologies for Wireless Autonomous Transducer Solutions and for Systems-in-Foil. A key feature of Holst Centre is its partnership model with industry and academia around shared roadmaps and programs. It is this kind of cross-fertilization that enables Holst Centre to tune its scientific strategy to industrial needs.
Holst Centre was set up in 2005 by imec (Flanders, Belgium) and TNO (The Netherlands) with support from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Government of Flanders. It is named after Gilles Holst, a Dutch pioneer in Research and Development and first director of Philips Research.
Located on High Tech Campus Eindhoven, Holst Centre benefits from the state-of-the-art on-site facilities. Holst Centre has over 180 employees from around 28 nationalities and a commitment from more than 45 industrial partners.