An optimal adaptive filtering approach for stress-tests motion artifacts removal: application on an ECG for telediagnosis

Over the last two decades, advances in computing technology along with improvements in signal processing techniques have enormously contributed to the development of medical instrumentation. This paper is devoted to the development of an intelligent electrocardiograph conceived to be used for rest and stress mode examinations diagnosis and telediagnosis. The research described here addresses the digital signal processing part. The problem of signal distortion in stress tests due to conventional adaptive filters that use complexes detector is discussed. We propose a simplified and optimized adaptive system that offers high rate of convergence and robustness with lower signal distortion. General hardware and signal processing design aspects are described. In conclusion, the system´s performance and the results obtained are presented and discussed.