An instrument with a DSP for monitoring human biological parameters

A low cost portable acquisition system with a digital signal processor for acquiring and processing human biological parameters is presented. It has sixteen input channels, each one linked to an external transducer by a suitable connector. The signals from the transducers are converted into a digital form by a 10 bit analog to digital converter integrated into the DSP and information are stored in a removable memory (compact flash memory). The acquisition operating mode is programmable from a host PC. The instrument is equipped with an LCD display to show the progress of the interesting parameters in real time. Until now, the instrument was used in rehabilitation medicine to evaluate human motor capability. It is now under test at the Prosthetic Center in Vigorso di Budrio (Italy) for measuring temperature, humidity and pressure values into a lower limb prosthesis. The aim of this analysis is to improve the comfort in daily use of the prosthesis