The CardioAdapter and Related Software
A Computer-Based System for Automated Measurement of Haemodynamic and Mechanical Parameters in Anaesthetized Dogs
A contract with The Chemical Pharmaceutical Research Institute (NIHFI), Sofia, Bulgaria
The Cardioadapter and related software are designed and implemented as a PC-based data acquisition and data processing lab system for fully automated real-time control of cardiological experiments in mid-to-large animal research - typically dogs.
Dr. Boris Gramatikov was responsible for the entire project. He performed requirement analysis, algorithm, hardware and software development.
System description
The CardioAdapter is used as a data collection interface. It mediates real-time electric stimulation and signal acquisition from 8 analog channels, real time display, measurement and evaluation of various electrophysiological, haemodynamical and mechanical parameters during an up to 8-hour experiment. Typically the CardioAdapter analyzes the ECG (lead II), three blood pressure signals, two blood flow signals, as well as two mechanical signals for work and force, respectively. Analog data for the blood pressure is provided by a polyphysiograph and conditioned by the CardioAdapter, while the ECG and mechanical transducers are inbuilt in the CardioAdapter. Stimulation is provided by the Cardioadapter autonomously, or per software. Software includes real-time display of all channels, and real-time calculation of about 30 haemodynamic parameters and 5 mechanical parameters, trending and archiving. The end of experiment is defined automatically upon detection of several criteria. After completion of data acquisition, global parameters are calculated.
Additionally, specialized procedures for off-line statistical analysis were developed and programmed. Coding was done in Pascal, Assembly and C-language (Borland).
The CardioAdapter is extensively being used in NIHFI's cardiovascular lab. It saves time, personnel effort paper and money.
The system has so far been used for testing a series of Bulgarian cardiological drugs and pharmaceuticals like Digitaline, Nifedipine, Isodinit, Monisid, Cordarone, Corinfar, Isolanid, Prenylamin, Captopril, Lanatidin, Lanitop, Reserpin, etc., developed at NIHFI, Sofia.
MechanoAdapter (top) and CardioAdapter (below) used as an interface between a PC and signal transducers
Rear end - Mechanoadapter and Cardioadapter - connections to signal sources, polyphysiograph and PC
Laboratory configuration: computer, two adapters and a polyphysiograph
