March 22, 2010

2 Min Read
TI Rolls Out Fully Integrated Analog Front End for ECGs and EEGs

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First device in TI's AFE family for ECG and EEG applications reduces component count and power consumption by up to 95%.

Texas Instruments Inc. (TI; Dallas) has introduced the first in a family of fully integrated analog front ends (AFEs) for portable and high-end ECG and EEG equipment. The AFEs are also suitable for patient monitoring and consumer medical applications. The eight-channel, 24-bit ADS1298 reduces the number of components on PCBs and power consumption by up to 95% compared with discrete implementations, achieving a power efficiency of 1 mW/channel, according to the company.The AFE integrates all common features required for ECG and EEG front ends, including eight low-noise programmable gain amplifiers; eight high-resolution, simultaneous-sampling analog-to-digital converters; an integrated amplifier for right-leg drive; integrated amplifiers for a Wilson Central Terminal and Goldberger Terminals; digital pace detection capability; continuous lead-off detection; and an on-board oscillator and reference for smaller-footprint and low-power applications.Four- and six-channel versions of the AFE offer designers varying resolutions and channel combinations for low-noise medical applications, including patient monitoring equipment, rest-and-stress ECGs, fetal monitoring machines, hospital and public access automated external defibrillators, and consumer medical applications such as sports and fitness monitors."Until now, high power consumption and bulky designs limited the portability of ECG and EEG equipment," remarks Art George, senior vice president of TI's High-Performance Analog business unit. "With the ADS1298's low power consumption and high integration, manufacturers can develop equipment that is portable, compact, and affordable. This will make it easier for doctors to monitor vital parameters over the long term for more accurate clinical data, while increasing patient comfort with devices that can easily be carried, concealed, or worn."

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