Abstract

1. 12 – Lead ECG Trainer Cali Roen, Laura Bagley, Amy Weaver, Tony Schuler Advisor: Tom Yen Client: Patricia Padgen Abstract Lead Placement Product Requirements Electrocardiograms (ECG) are used to measure the electrical activity of the heart and diagnose arrhythmias. Currently there is no training mannequin that teaches both 12-lead electrode placement and ECG signal interpretation in one device. The purpose of this project is to develop an adult mannequin that teaches placement of electrodes based on anatomical landmarks and provides the student with feedback about the accuracy of their placement. The same mannequin should also produce a variety of ECG output signals to teach diagnostics using 12 – lead ECG. • An adult mannequin to be used to teach12 – lead ECG placement and interpretation • Placement of the electrodes should be based on anatomical landmarks, instead of visual cues • Feedback should be given about the accuracy of the placement once electrodes are placed • Provide a variety of ECG heart arrhythmias to teach proper analysis To give feedback to the student about the accuracy of their electrode placement, the correct placement sites are marked with lights. Light from two LEDs within the mannequin is directed to the 10 surface electrode sites through fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable has a flat end so that it can not be felt through the skin when students feel for electrode placement. Background Information 12 – Lead ECG ECG is used to diagnose heart arrhythmias. A 12 – lead ECG can more specifically diagnose heart arrhythmias when compared to a 4 – lead ECG. The 10 electrodes used for the 12 – lead are placed across the chest using anatomical landmarks. Existing Devices There are several existing mannequins that are used to teach ECG. Some, like the Laredal VitalSlim or Heart Stim 200 just simulate the heart’s electrical activity without placing the electrodes. The Laredal 12 – Lead Task trainer requires the electrodes to be placed, but the placement is visible since the electrodes are snapped onto the mannequin (shown below). The cost of these devices is very high; the task trainer is over $ 8000. ECG Monitor A standard ECG monitor is used to observe the output from any of the existing devices and will also be used in the design. Once the electrodes are placed, the student will push the button corresponding to the test that they are performing (12 – or 15 – lead). The lights corresponding to that test will illuminate and if any of the lights are visible, the electrodes are not placed correctly. An example of a normal 12 – Lead ECG Circuit Design The circuit is composed of two switches: one to display the 12-lead electrode location lights and one to display the 15-lead location lights. Because six of the electrode placement sites are shared between the two modes, an OR logic gate was used so these placement lights turn on with both the 12- and 15-lead switches. Future Work • Improve the durability of the circuit so it can withstand daily use by students • Incorporate a 12 – lead ECG signal generator into the existing mannequin • Select and incorporate a new skin material with some conductivity • Perform usability tests with students to receive feedback about the ease of use of the device