The work of our department is oriented to research of measuring methods and devices for biology and medicine. With the help of computer simulations, we study new model-based multi-channel measurement approaches as well as the possibilities of non-invasive determination of the state and characteristics of selected biological objects. Using the proposed methods for biosignal processing we have developed several specifically oriented measuring systems.
Currently our research is focused namely on multi-channel measurement of the cardiac electric field and the electric field of gastrointestinal tract.
Study of the electrical activity of heart is oriented to non-invasive determination of electrical and physiological state of the heart and diagnostic and therapeutic utilization of the obtained information. We use models of cardiac activation, cardiac electric generator and realistic inhomogeneous torso volume conductor. We test the possibilities how to apply different models for forward ECG simulations and for inverse identification of certain phenomena like arrhythmogenic cardiac tissue or ischemic lesion. Our work includes also evaluation of sensitivity of the models and methods to errors in real measured data. Based on the proposed models and methods, we have developed multi-channel measuring devices for diagnostics, monitoring and analysis of the heart functions during therapy.
Recently we started the research of electric activity of gastrointestinal tract. Currently we are focused on technical aspects of EGG recordings and extraction of the useful information from the measured signal.
In cooperation with Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology SAS we have developed a forward model for simulation of the cardiac electric field . The model includes analytic definition of the heart ventricles with conduction system and realistic geometry of the inhomogeneous torso. Activation propagation is governed by Huygen's principle, potentials are computed using equivalent multiple dipole or uniform dipole layer generator and boundary element method.
Comparison of accuracy and sensitivity to electrode displacements in lead systems for clinical ECG body surface potential mapping. Study was performed on a model and on a set of real measurements.
Development of an inverse method for localization of preexcitation sites based on multiple dipole and "jumping dipole" model of the cardiac generator. Evaluation of the accuracy of method using computer simulated data.
Method for isochronal mapping of ARI (activation-recovery interval) was proposed for examining local changes of the heart repolarization. Possibilities of the method are tested also on computer model using simulated ECG data.
Development of a PC controlled multichannel measuring system for body surface ecg mapping. The system can be used for more detailed diagnostics of selected heart diseases using potential and integral body surface potential maps. A portable notebook-based version of the ProCardio mapping system including mapping software for both experimental and clinical use is commercially available.
Grant No. 2/1135/21 (2001-2003) from the VEGA Grant Aagency of the Slovak Republic: ''Multilead measurement and analysis of low level bioelectric signals''.
Contracts for development of methods and devices for ECG mapping and EGG recording.
Laboratory closely cooperates with research teams working in the field of medicine and biomedical engineering in Slovakia and abroad:
The cooperations result in common publications, exchange of software and measured experimental data or joint clinical trials.
Researchers and research engineers are lecturing courses and organizing seminars on Biomeasurements at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Slovak Technical University in Bratislava and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University in Kosice, supervising students in graduate and postgraduate studies.
Research engineers of the laboratory are involved also in the development of methods, measuring electronics and software for measurement of biological signals on request of medical, industrial or commercial companies.
CardioPC mapping system for multichannel measurement and evaluation of the cardiac electric field. This system was developed in the laboratory and is used in experimental and clinical studies.
HP Apollo workstation used for modeling and simulation studies of the cardiac electric field.
PC computers Petium based personal systems, all connected to the Internet.
Laboratory devices (meters, esciloscopes, analyzers, generators, sources, ...) for measurement of electrical parameters and service of electronic equipment.
