Analysis of ECG System: Block Diagram, Technologies, and Process Flow

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of an ECG (Electrocardiogram) system. It begins with a detailed block diagram illustrating the system's components, including electrodes, pre-amplifier, starter kit, computer, and printer, along with the power supply and the role of IEEE 1284 PPI. The report then distinguishes between hard and soft technologies within the ECG system, identifying the electrodes, amplifier board, and starter kit as crucial soft technologies responsible for data collection and transformation, while the computer and printer are classified as hard technologies representing the output. Furthermore, the report outlines a process flow diagram, depicting the workflow from the initial request for the product to the final payment to the supplier, including steps like product delivery, specification review, contract awarding, and product approval. The analysis highlights potential failure points within the system, emphasizing the importance of both the soft and hard technology components and the interconnectedness of the system's nodes.

Question one: ECG Block diagram
The objective of the ECG machine is to check the heart rhythm and electrical activity. It
uses sensors attached to the skin to detect electrical signals produced by each heartbeat. By
recording the electrical activity, of the heart at least, the machine helps to determine irregularities
in the heartbeat which indicate the risk that the patient faces.
The ECG has four subsystems that define the way it works. As seen in the block diagram,
the firs system is the computer interface which contains the computer and the printer. The
computer acts as the screen for reading the ECG measures that are transmitted through electrode
rom the patient’s body. The second subsystem is the starter disk which connects the amplified
data collected to the computer system. This disk acts as a transmitter for amplifying and
transmitting the data to the computer. The next part is the ECG pre-amplifier board which pre-
amplifies the raw data collected from the electrode in into readable data that can be amplified for
use. The ECG electrodes form the last part of the ECG which are used to transmit the data from
the patient’s body. This data is collected in raw form and can only be used after it has been
amplified into a readable form by the amplifier.
The power supply is used for running the system, since the ECG component is electronic
in nature, and then it has to be powered to become functional. The power supply is also part of
the ECG component since the data produced is in electronic form. This data connects with the
Power supply
Electrodes
connected to the
patient
ECG Pre-amplifier
board
Starter kit
(DSK)
Computer and
Printer IEEE 1284 PPI

analogue end which is the printer used for transferring the electronic data into manual data. The
interconnection between the ECG and the analogue end is connected by the amplifier which is
used to transform the data from a raw electrode to computer readable data that can be printed and
presented in an analogue form.

Question two: Hard soft technologies
Hard Technology Soft technology
The hard technologies are used to make things easier
Soft technologies are flexible and empower creativity making work easier. This means
that to use them, one requires skill and creativity. In this case, soft technology is the major part
of the ECG equipment which is used for the collection of raw data and transforming it into the
readable data. This part will be electrodes, the amplifier board and the starter kit which play an
important role in defining the collection of heart electrical activity. On the other hand, hard
technologies are regarded as outputs of soft technologies which are seen in the output received
from the ECG process. This means that the ECG output data which is seen in the transmitted data
that can be used in a computer system in different formats. In this case, the computer and the
printer are hard technologies which are used as output sources.
One cause of the failure of the system to yield the intended objective is the failure of the
soft systems part to collect and transmit the appropriate data. The efficiency of the ECG machine
lies in the soft technology part that collects and disseminates the information. The raw data
Power supply
Electrodes
connected to the
patient
ECG Pre-amplifier
board
Starter kit
(DSK)
Computer and
Printer IEEE 1284 PPI

collected from the ECG is transmitted directly into readable data. This means that if the data is
insufficient then it will not meet the intended objectives.
Secondly the output part or the hard systems section of the technology is supposed to
interact with the transmitted data to transform it into readable and printable data. The failure of
the computer system to translate the data can also lead to the failure of the system to meet the
requirements.
Lastly, connection between the different system parts can also lead to failure. This is
from the fact that a system is set of interconnected nodes that work together to achieve the
intended outcomes. Thus the failure of any one part can affect the working of the system.
Question three: process flow diagram
Request from
clinical engineer
Approval or rejection of the
delivered product by the engineer
and sending the payment request
to the accountant
Payment of the supplier or
return of the product to the
suppler and re-ordering
Review of the
request and sourcing
for suppliers by the
procurement officer
Award of the
contract to the
suppler
Delivery of the
product and review
of the specifications
by the engineer