Prototype registry unit EDF for low cost digital Holter

This paper describes the development of a recording unit for biomedical signals based upon standard secure digital memory cards, supporting the European Data Format (EDF) for the implementation of a low cost digital Holter. This device takes advantage of the possibilities offered by these wide spread memory cards (which are currently mass produced at very low prices due to their use in digital cameras and other handheld devices), in order to ease the implementation of long term digital signal acquisition, as happens with ECG records for HRV analysis. The use of recently introduced microcontrollers supporting these devices, as well as native USB support, may lead towards a future reduction of the price of these devices. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.