SonquSim: Design and performance evaluation of an ECG and arrhythmia simulator for medical devices calibration

Clinical engineers play a crucial role in ensuring the quality of electrocardiographs used in healthcare centers, utilizing standard metrology equipment to guarantee proper performance and patient safety. In this article, we present the design of a simulator for normal sinus rhythm and arrhythmic ECG signals. This device is tailored for use in resource-constrained settings, particularly in developing countries. The methodology encompasses design, hardware development, signal acquisition, signal scaling, and performance evaluation. Comparative assessment was conducted with the final prototype "SonquSim" and a patient simulator, patient simulator (Fluke Biomedical, ProSim8). Through tests of waveform amplitudes and periods, heart rate variations, and the cross-correlation between arrhythmic signals of the patient simulator and the designed SonquSim, the results show that the sinusoidal and arrhythmic electrocardiographic waves of SonquSim are similar to those obtained from commercial patient simulators, making it a viable option for clinical implementation.