Customizable Holter monitor using off-the-shelf components

A Holter Monitor is a device which is worn by patients and is used to collect Electrocardiography (ECG) data for around 24 hours. This device is then connected to a computer by a physician to download the data. An analysis of this data can reveal abnormalities which may not appear in a clinical measurement of shorter duration. Cost of a Holter monitor is a crucial parameter, as this is used by patients for longer duration, unlike other clinical instruments. Availability of devices restricts the number of patients which can be monitored and treated by hospitals. In addition patients require customization of measurements which most of the available device do not offer. The high cost of this device is deterring physicians from long term monitoring use like athletic performance of sportsmen, elderly patients for independent living, patients taking medications causing side-effects etc. In this paper we present a low cost Holter Monitor which can be assembled using off the shelf components. It can be customized for individual needs and is extendable. The software architecture and communication framework developed can be used for any data intensive measurement and transmission.