ETI160 Medicinsk signalbehandling

2011/2012 Vt2

Projekt

Purpose: An important purpose of the project is to learn in-depth about a particular problem in biomedical signal processing, searching for solutions which have been published in the scientific literature. One algorithm of your choice should be implemented and its performance tested on signals which is supplied below. Note that the algorithm can either already exist or be invented by yourself.

Information sources: An excellent database is IEEE Xplore. Many other sources can be found by searching the internet.

Report format: The report is preferably be written in LaTeX, using the template report. Writing in LaTeX will produce a report which is more legible and with equations that look decent. It is permissible to submit a report written in Word, though strongly discouraged. The report can be written in English or Swedish.

Report content: The report should contain the sections (which are all indicated in the template report):

Introduction gives a rather detailed overview of the addressed problem and the solutions which have been presented in literature.

Methods describes the implemented algorithm and should include the equations which are central to the method. Do not include Matlab code in this section, nor in any other section of the report.

Results presents the results you have obtained with your method. The approach adopted for evaluating performance should be described. Rather than presenting one single value as the result, try to show how the result depends on different parameter settings. If possible, present the results in a table or in a diagram so that they are easily grasped.

Discussion contains a brief discussion of the pros and cons of your method, and may also contain comments concerning how your method relates to other methods.

Conclusions is a brief section (5–7 lines) which concludes the main results of the project.

Bibliography lists the publications which you consider as relevant for the project.

Report length: Using the LaTeX format, the report should have a length of 4–6 pages.

Deadline: The firm deadline is May 8, 2011 when the project report should be emailed to LS for assessment.

The project is accomplished in groups of two.

Project 1: Estimation of the Atrial Fibrillatory Frequency

The purpose of this project is to estimate the frequency (repetition rate) of the atrial waves which are observed in the ECG. Since these waves are obscured by ventricular activity ("QRST complexes"), it is necessary to implement an algorithm which cancels this activity before the frequency can be properly estimated. Thus the challenge is here to decide on an algorithm which performs this task, and then, from the cancelled signal estimate the frequency. A book chapter dealing with this issue can be downloaded here.

The available atrial fibrillatory ECG signals are sampled with 1000 Hz, amplitude in microvolts, and a length of 5 minutes. The Matlab mat format is used. The mat file contains 3-lead signals from 3 patients. Note that the leads can be processed on an individual basis.   

Project 2: ECG-based Estimation of the Respiratory Frequency

The purpose of this project is to estimate the respiratory frequency of the subject by exploring some suitable characteristic of the ECG signal. This technique is often referred to as ECG-derived respiratory information, and is for example of interest when no respiratory measurement is made during the ECG recording (which is often the case). An article dealing with this issue, and which may serve as an inspiration, can be downloaded here.

The available ECG signals for estimation respiratory frequency, acquired from healthy young men, are sampled with 1000 Hz, amplitude in microvolts, and a length of 5 minutes. The Matlab mat format is used. The mat file contains 3-lead signals from 3 patients. Note that the leads can be processed on an individual basis.