The global medical electronics market is vast and has seen rapid growth in recent years. Medical electronic devices range from highly complex systems like MRI machines to simple home blood pressure monitors. While manufacturers aim for the highest possible measurement accuracy, the reality is that accurately measuring human body signals is extremely challenging due to their variability and noise.
In laboratory settings, engineers often use known test signals to evaluate device performance. These signals are real-world analogs, and the device's response is observed. This method applies equally well to medical devices. However, when these devices are used in actual clinical environments, signals must be acquired directly from the human body, introducing new complexities.
First, there is no strictly repeating signal. Each heartbeat or neural impulse varies slightly, making it impossible to replicate exactly. Second, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of biological signals is typically lower than other electrical signals. For medical devices, precision is critical. When noise levels are high, the testing equipment should be capable of capturing and measuring individual signals with high accuracy—rather than relying on averages, as the signals are not repeatable.
To simulate real-world conditions during development, engineers generate test signals that mimic those the device will eventually capture. For example, an ECG waveform can be generated using a digital oscilloscope and then played back through an arbitrary waveform generator like ArbStudio. This tool allows users to create custom waveforms, including adding noise or glitches, making it ideal for simulating real-life scenarios.
ArbStudio offers two models: one for long storage and complex waveforms, and another for shorter, simpler signals. These tools help ensure medical devices function correctly before reaching end users.
When measuring specific parts of a signal, such as the P wave in an ECG, traditional oscilloscopes may struggle with noise. Using averaging techniques isn’t effective due to the aperiodic nature of the signal. Filtering is an alternative, but many oscilloscopes apply filters in a way that distorts the original signal.
High-resolution oscilloscopes, like Teledyne LeCroy’s HDO, offer better noise reduction and signal clarity. Compared to 8-bit oscilloscopes, the HDO provides significantly cleaner signals, preserving the original waveform shape while reducing noise. With additional filtering, even subtle features like baseline shifts or undershoots become visible, which are crucial for accurate medical diagnosis.
In summary, testing medical electronics requires precise acquisition and analysis of single, noisy signals. High-resolution oscilloscopes and arbitrary waveform generators play a vital role in ensuring accurate measurements and realistic simulations. These tools help engineers understand and improve the performance of medical devices, ultimately leading to more reliable and effective healthcare solutions.
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