Medical Applications - Pacemaker Test

EADS North America Defense Test & Services has developed ATE to test pacemakers from the component level to the assembled unit. The ATE employs boundary scan testing for the digital electronics.

Analog signals are monitored by an 8-channel digitizer with shielded, differential inputs that are multiplexed into an instrumentation amplifier followed by a programmable gain amplifier. This provides a high SNR to produce an accurate measurement signal.

The precision, high-voltage signals are applied by a high-voltage source-measurement unit through a triaxial cable. Pacemaker pulse and timing signals are measured by the counter/timer VXI card.

The defibrillation stimulus/measurement, pacemaker stimulus/measurement and shock loads are applied to the unit-under-test through a VXI electronics interface card. This card also channels the high-voltage stimulus/measurement equipment to the pacemaker and shock paths. Heart arrhythmia patterns can be applied to the pacemaker and defibillator sense electronics. All applied and measured signals may be monitored and displayed.

The interface electronics also contains digital I/O and DAC channels for control and status. The pacemaker telemetry link, which communicates patient data and pacemaker status to an external modem via an inductive coil in the pacemaker, is also verified.

The testset interface contains a vacuum interface for circuit card, bed-of-nails testing.