Implementation of an ECG with a TL084 Operational

Amplifier
Roberto Arroba, Javier Cargua, Karina Rocha, Adriana Guayasamin
Escuela Po litcnica Nacional
Quito, Ecuador
jorge.arroba@epn.edu.ec,
javier.cargua@epn.edu.ec.
karina.rocha@epn.edu.ec,
adriana.guayasamin@epn.edu.ec,

Abstract The electrocardiogram is a technique that

records the electrical development of the heart by generating a
heartbeat. This is recorded from the body surface of the
human body, obtaining a wave that represents the electrical
stimuli of the atria and the ventricles. It is a simple and quick
test, which produces no pain and has no risk to the patient. It
is used to measure the rhythm and regularity of the heartbeat,
the size and position of the atria and ventricles, any damage to
the heart.

Summary. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a routine study

that is performed to observe the electrical activity of the heart.
The electrocardiogram provides much information about the
heart and its function. With the analysis of an electrocardiogram
it is possible to find out more about heart rate, size and
functioning of heart cavities and heart muscle.
To get a response, small metal discs called "electrodes" are
placed on the skin. The electrodes are used to pick up the heart's
electrical impulses. This device is composed of certain
amplifiers, the same ones that were studied in class and later
designed for its implementation.
I.

INTRODUCTION

Fig 1. Typical Sign of The heart

This provides a wave where three elementary waves are

distinguished, which already speak to us of the electrical
phenomena of which they notice:
P waves: depolarization of the atria.
QRS complex, especially the peak of the R wave:
depolarization of the ventricles.
Wave T: Repolarization of the atria.
Electrical performance is essentially depolarization /
repolarization continuous, within the heart. It is noted that the
electrical impulses move in waves from the sinus node (SA).

For the heart to beat, the sinus node (SA), the same one that is in
the heart, generating an electric impulse, the same that starts
with a neurotransmitter. The SA node allows the heart to
maintain a steady rhythm. An electrocardiogram traces the path
of the electrical energy sent by the SA node through the heart.
The electrocardiogram evaluates heart rhythm and function
through a record of all electrical activity performed by the heart,
which is why it is used to diagnose heart problems, pulmonary
pathologies, and ion disorders.
II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Electrocardiogram
The electrocardiogram conveys all the complexity Electrical
energy of the heart, is the summation of all the cellular partial
potentials that happen in the heart in each moment. The electric
current that travels through the heart is distributed throughout its
surface, The information you provide relates to each and every
heart area.

Fig.2 Differente kind of signals of heart

It can be seen how the partial potentials are able, when added, to
generate the typical output wave of the electrocardiogram, at the
same time allows to know the path that follows the electrical
impulse from the node SA.
Path at the atrial level: it travels through the right atrium, the
time it takes in this course, 100 ms, which coincides
approximately with the PR interval (110 ms on average), is
broken down as follows:
Right atrium: 40 ms.
Atrial septality: 20 ms.

Left atrium: 40 ms.

If we want a G=10=

R2
, I assume R 2=33 k
R1

Pathway at ventricular level: when the atrio-ventricular node

R 1=3,3 k
(AV) is exceeded, where it accumulates a delay of 0.1 s with
respect to the AS node. This delay allows full depolarization of
the ventricles and the atria have time to send blood to the B. Instrumentation Amplifier
ventricles.
Functioning

Fig.5 Instrumentation Amplifier (Theoric)

For a G=100, we use the integrated AD620 with a Rg=1000

, so we put two resistors in series of 500 , this will
design the rejection circuit.
Fig.3 Eithoven triangle

C. High Pass Filter

A standard electrocardiogram is obtained by placing twelve

small electrodes at certain points in the patient's body. Then the
ECG machine is turned on and the recording is done in a few
seconds. The test is completely painless and has no risk.
Changes in the normal path of an ECG may indicate one or more
conditions related to the heart. Thus, an ECG is extremely useful
for the diagnosis and control of cardiac arrhythmias, angina
pectoris, acute myocardial infarction and in general to detect any
irregularities in the electrical activity of the heart.

III.

FILTER DESIGN

For the design of the ECG we use filters which will allow us to
amplify the signal as well as other problems described above in
classes, the final diagram will be shown in another section.
A. Differential Filter

Fig.6 High Pass Filter

The transfer function of a filter of order 2 is:

2

Hs
Hs
= 2
(Butterworth filter )
2
2
s + Wos+Wo s + 2 s+1
We choose : H =2C 1=0.1uF , R 3=10 k
7

If :k=2 fC 1=2 ( 0.5 ) ( 0.1 uF ) =3,1410

If C 2=C 1=0.1 uF
R3
=10 k
H1
Finding : Wo= 2,W 0=1
= 2 , with that:
R 4=

Fig.4 Differential filter

R 1=

+ 2+H 1
=2.5 M
4k

I assume R 2=R 1=10 M

1
f =60 Hz=
:C 1=270 pF
2 R 1 C 1

4
1
+ + H 1
R 2=
=4.04 M
k
2

D. Low Pass Filter

C3
, C 3=540 pF
2
Now : R 1=R 2=2 R 3, withthat : R 3=5 M

C 1=C 2=

F. Circuit of Return

Fig. 9 Circuito de Retorno

Fig.7 Filtro Pasa Bajos
IV.

HARDWARE

Elements
Instrumentation amplifier
Capacitores
Electrodes
Amplifer
Resistencias
Fuente de energizacion
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
U5

33k

OP1P

R24

10k

10k

C9

C11

R28
4M

0.1uF

0.1uF

C10

10k

R33

0.1uF

R17
U4

3.3k

7.5k

U8

U7

E. Notch Filter

OP1P
OP1P

3.3k

R19
33k

OP1P

U6

5
7

22.5k

1k

R18

R22
10k

R25

R26

10k

10k

R30

C12
0.15uF

R31

2.5M

10k

R36

R37

10M

R34

10k

R29

OP1P

TL074

540pF

10k

R35

R38

10k

5M

C13

C15

270pF

270pF

PRUEBAS

Once the circuits for the ECG were designed, the respective tests
were performed.

Fig.8 Notch Filter

8
10

10M

C14
TL074

Fig.10 Circuit Diagram

VI.

U1:C

R32

R21
LII

U1:B
4

LI

R23
R20

11

R27

V.

Description
AD620AN
22pF,10F
4
TL084
330
5 [v]

11

Is chosen C 1=0.1 uF y R 3=10 k

3
So : k=2 fC 1=2 ( 100 ) C 1=6.28310
R3
R 4=
=10 k
H1
2
2
If m= + H1= + 1=1.5
4
4
C 2=mC 1=0.15uF
2
2
R 1= =
=22.5 k
k 2k

2
R 2=
= =7.5 k
2mk 2 mk

OUTPUT

Fig11. Circuito implementado en el protoboar

Fig.14 Seal del ECG

From the design in the protoboar, we proceeded to place the

electrodes that are located in each of the extremities, in our case
we place them in the right and left part of the chest and the
ground signal in the lower part of the abdomen.

VII. RECOMENDATIONS
When designing the different filters always take into account
what the cut-off frequencies will be and mainly what the inputs
and outputs of the filter will be when it forms part of a large
electronic circuit such as the ECG
Before connecting the complete circuit that forms the ECG, it is
always necessary to test step by step, since after all the
electronic circuit is connected and a fault occurs it will be very
complex to find the error, which does not happen when we
check our design part by part.
Filters must be made as accurate as the cutoff frequency greatly
influences both the low pass and the high pass so that the desired
signal can be obtained and there is no signal cut.

Fig.12 Electrodos usados en el ECG

VIII.CONCLUTIONS
Once placed the electros are set to put in a position where there
is as little movement as possible so that the signal is not affected
by the movement of the electrodes and the desired signal is not
obtained.

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a routine study that is

performed to observe the electrical activity of the heart.
The electrocardiogram provides much information
about the heart and its function. With the analysis of an
electrocardiogram it is possible to find out more about
heart rate, size and functioning of heart cavities and
heart muscle.

For the heart to beat, the sinus node (SA), the same one
that is in the heart, generating an electric impulse, the
same that starts with a neurotransmitter. The SA node
allows the heart to maintain a steady rhythm. An
electrocardiogram traces the path of the electrical
energy sent by the SA node through the heart.

The larger the order of the filter, the more complex the
design will be, the more accurate the cutoff frequencies
will be. For ECG application, only two orders were
necessary, because with this we were able to design
without greater difficulty giving an acceptable
precision.

The correct application of the polynomials of either

Butterworth or Chebysev determine that the design of
the filters is performed correctly, as a variation of their
parameters will cause the designed filter to act in an
unstable or incorrect.

Fig. 13 Posicionamiento de los electrodos

After placing the electrodes and the person in the position

indicated above, proceed to observe the signal coming out of the
integrated after the filtering of each of them.

The concepts learned in class such as the correct choice

of electrode, the design of filters, different theories
about possible noises that enter our design by the
different action potentials of our muscles as those that
enter by the movement of the electrolytic solution
allowed us to carry out our project with solid
foundations

filtering to let the heart signal pass and observe how it

has the same.

It was learned how to use electrodes which is not

complicated but the part of greater difficulty is to make
a good design and place the electrodes in the precise
places for the good obtaining of the signal, what could
be observed is that if the person The signal moves did
not look good and had a shape that is not correct so the
person should not move much

It was understood how the different filters can be

applied and how is the operation of each of them, in our
case we apply the same in an ECG to be able to detect
the pulses that emits the heart with the help of
X. REFERENCE
electrodes which receive the signal and sends To the [1] ECG with Arduino and Matlab, online. Available on:
amplification circuit where each stage performs the http://ecgarduinomatlab.blogspot.com/