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3-lead electrocardiogram transmission over Post Office telephone lines

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Abstract

A 3-channel analogue f.d.m./f.m. system for the transmission of 3-lead e.c.g.s over Post Office telephone lines has been developed following technical and economic considerations of both analogue and digital techniques. This system is used in conjunction with a low-speed digital telephone link to enable e.c.g.s from an outlying hospital to be transmitted to a central computer and analysed. The overall system has been in routine operation for over 17 months and has, with the exception of occasional interference from line-impulse noise, proved an effective method of reporting e.c.g.s from outlying hospitals.

Sommaire

Un dispositif analogique à trois voies f.d.m/f.m. pour transmission d' e.c.g. à trois dérivations par l'intermédiaire de lignes téléphoniques normales a été mis au point après examen au point de vue technique et économique de techniques de transmission analogiques et également digitales. Ce dispositif est utilisé en liaison avec une ligne téléphonique digitale à vitesse lente pour permettre la transmission d'e.c.g. d'un hôpital éloigné à un ordinateur central où ils sont analysés. Le système complet est utilisé couramment depuis plus de 17 mois et, à l'exception de quelques interférences dues à des bruits sur la ligne, il s'est révélé être un moyen efficace de transmission d' e.c.g. à partir d'hôpitaux éloignés.

Zusammenfassung

Es wurde ein analoges Frequenz-Multiplex-/Frequenzmodulations-system für die Übermittlung von 3-Leiter-EKGs über die Telefonleitungen der Post nach technischer und wirtschaftlicher Berücksichtigung von Analog- und Digitaltechnik entwickelt. Dieses System wird in Verbindung mit einer langsamen Digital-Telefonverbindung verwendet, damit EKGs von einem enternt liegenden Krankenhaus an einen Zentralcomputer gesandt werden und dort analysiert werden können. Das Gesamtsystem befindet sich seit über 17 Monaten im routinemäßigen Einsatz und hat sich, mit Ausnahme von gelegentlicher Störung durch Leitungsimpulsrauschen als ein wirksames Verfahren für die Übermittlung von EKGs von entfernt gelegenen Krankenhäusen aus erwiesen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The West of Scotland Health Board's Department of Clinical Physics and Bio-engineering, 11 West Graham Street, G4 9LF, Glasgow

    M. P. Watts

  2. Royal Infirmary, University Department of Medical Cardiology, G43SF, Glasgow, Scotland

    P. W. Macfarlane

Authors
  1. M. P. Watts
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  2. P. W. Macfarlane
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Watts, M.P., Macfarlane, P.W. 3-lead electrocardiogram transmission over Post Office telephone lines. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 15, 311–318 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02441053

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02441053

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