Exploration of ECG and EMG Technologies

Analyzing data and connecting the math and science concepts from this analysis to a real-world design problem is critical to engineering. This lesson introduces students to electrocardiogram (ECG) and electromyography (EMG) data and applies it to problems of identifying and monitoring various heart and neuromuscular disorders. Students are introduced to engineering and design firsthand when they complete the design activity where they use the engineering design process to propose a design for their own ECG or EMG device for identifying or monitoring a disorder/disease of their choice. Designing a device like this is often the job of biomedical engineers.

After this activity, students should be able to:

• Analyze EMG data using pre-written Python code.
• Analyze ECG data using pre-written Python code.
• List and explain important uses for the ECG and EMG in healthcare.
• Discuss how and why tracking patients’ ECG and EMG waves is beneficial in healthcare.
• List some heart and neuromuscular disorders/diseases that may be diagnosed with the help of ECG or EMG analysis.
• Apply the engineering design process and what they know about ECG and EMG to propose a portable healthcare device that uses neural wave analysis.

A familiarity with basic wave analysis (i.e., understand frequency, amplitude, and period of a wave).

Have you ever wondered how your heart works and how you are able to move your muscles? How is your heart able to never stop pumping blood through your body? What about how your arms and legs move? The heart and nervous systems run on electricity, like how your computer and your smart phone do. The electrical activity of the heart can be measured and monitored by creating an electrocardiogram (ECG), which contains data on the heart’s voltage. Similarly, the electrical activity in the nervous system can be measured using electromyography (EMG). ECG and EMG data can be examined by doctors and researchers to determine if the patient has an abnormality or disease.

In this activity, you will learn how to analyze both ECG waves and EMGs. You will use Python code and Jupyter notebook to analyze EMG and ECG data. Then you will learn how this EMG and ECG data are used in healthcare and some specific disorders/diseases they are used to diagnose and monitor. Then, we will complete a design activity that will walk us through the engineering design process and lead us through creating our own designs of wearable devices that use ECG or EMG to diagnose or monitor potential disease.

Background

Electrocardiogram (ECG) data is characterized by an easily recognizable waveform: a larger peak, called the QRS complex, which is preceded and followed by two smaller peaks called the P and T waves, respectfully. Real, raw ECG data may not show these waveforms perfectly, but the QRS complex (or large peak) should be recognizable.

Figure 1: A graph of an ECG reading.CopyrightCopyright 2019 Erin Shappell, University of Missouri RET

Electromyogram (EMG) data is characterized by spikes that correspond to the subject muscle’s movements and level of movement. Larger, more frequent spikes suggest that the muscle is being used for strong activity, such as lifting a heavy weight. Small, less frequent spikes suggest that the muscle is being used for lighter activity, such as bending the elbow.Figure 2: A graph of an EMG reading.CopyrightCopyright 2019 Erin Shappell, University of Missouri RET

Before the Activity

• Review the Jupyter Notebook Guide (PDF) and complete the tutorials referenced in the guide.
• Make copies of the activity sheets What is an ECG? Jupyter Notebook Activity (PDF), What is an EMG? Jupyter Notebook Activity (PDF), and Applications of ECG and EMG Design Activity (PDF).
• Review the engineering design process with students.

With the Students

Day 1

1. Divide class into groups of 2 – 4 students, although students may work on this activity individually.
2. Present the What is an ECG? Presentation (PPTX) to introduce students to heart functions and ECG waveforms.
3. Hand out a copy of the activity sheet, What is an ECG? Jupyter Notebook Activity (PDF), to each student. Each student should turn in their own copy, even if they are in groups. Ensure that students have access to the csv files: ECG_Example1 (CSV) and ECG_Example2 (CSV).
4. Demonstrate how to open and run a Jupyter Notebook as shown in the Jupyter Notebook Guide (PDF).
5. Encourage students in groups to help each other if they get stuck. If students are working individually, they may ask their neighbors for help.

Day 2

1. Separate the class into the same groups as Day 1.
2. Present the What is an EMG? Presentation (PPTX) to introduce students to EMG waveforms and motor neurons.
3. Hand out a copy of the activity sheet, What is an EMG? Jupyter Notebook Activity (PDF), to each student. Each student should turn in their own copy, even if they are in groups. Ensure that students have access to the csv files: EMG_Example1 (CSV)and EMG_Example2 (CSV).
4. Encourage students in groups to help each other if they get stuck. If students are working individually, they may ask their neighbors for help.

Day 3

1. Hand out a copy of the Applications of ECG and EMG Design Activity (PDF) to each group. Each group should turn one design.
2. Present the Applications of ECG and EMG Presentation (PPTX) to explore how doctors use ECG and EMG data to detect and mitigate health problems. 
3. Students may use Google (or another search engine) for inspiration and ideas, but they may NOT copy an existing idea (for example, students cannot design a smart watch).
4. Encourage each student to research independently and then share with the group, each group will then design one wearable device.

Pre-Activity Assessment

Day 1: 

Pre-Quiz: Conduct the What is an ECG? Activity Pre-Quiz (PDF).

Day 2: 

Pre-Quiz: Conduct the What is an EMG? Activity Pre-Quiz (PDF).

Day 3: 

Pre-Quiz: Conduct the Applications of ECG and EMG Activity Pre-Quiz (PDF).

Activity Embedded (Formative) Assessment

Day 1: 

ECG Activity: Students complete the What is an ECG? Jupyter Notebook Activity (PDF).

Day 2: 

EMG Activity: Students complete the What is an EMG? Jupyter Notebook Activity (PDF).

Day 3: 

Applications of ECG and EMG: Students complete the Applications of ECG and EMG Design Activity (PDF).

Post-Activity (Summative) Assessment

Day 1:

 Post-Quiz: Conduct the What is an ECG? Activity Post-Quiz (PDF).

Day 2: 

Post-Quiz: Conduct the What is an EMG? Activity Post-Quiz (PDF).

Day 3: 

Post-Quiz: Conduct the Applications of ECG and EMG Activity Post-Quiz (PDF).

After students complete their designs, have some students volunteer to share their designs. Have the volunteers take turns sharing their sketches and their design considerations (where is their device worn on the body, what disorder/disease is it diagnosing/monitoring, etc.)

Optional: Teach Engineering has a great unit on Creative Engineering Design that could extend on students’ exposure to the engineering design process in this activity.

Students should have individual access to Google (or other search engine) for researching information for the design activity. Students should also have access to Google Colab and Jupyter Notebook (Available online through Google Drive).