GENEVA and BELGRADE, Serbia, Oct. 19, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A powerful STM32 microcontroller from STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, keeps things ticking inside HTEC's wearable ECG recorder that provides continuous and accurate remote cardiac monitoring.

Different types of cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, affect millions of people of all ages worldwide. With the accurate and timely diagnosis, causes of most arrhythmias are effectively treated, minimizing fatalities. Unlike the standard Holter ambulatory heart-rate monitor that you turn in the next morning for the doctor to inspect a patient's heart rate over the past 24 hours, the STM32-powered 3-lead ECG recorder is at the patients' disposal any place and any time to record the data. The moment the patient has concerns, they simply apply the recorder to their chest to instantly record and send the essential cardiac data to the physician, over HTEC's cloud-based telemedicine solution, so the doctor can use the data to detect and diagnose arrhythmia.

The novel cardiac device uses dry electrodes that easily apply to the patient's skin. The high-performance STM32 F4 chip's powerful computing capabilities play a vital role in making sense of the complex ECG signal coming from the electrodes and in converting it into medically useful information. Extensively tested against the MIT ECG databases, HTEC's advanced signal-filtering algorithms have shown excellent results⁽¹⁾. The low-power microcontroller's dynamic power scaling has enabled HTEC developers to optimize the application's energy use so it can record continuously for 7 days without re-charging.

"Wearable ECG recorders open new possibilities for patient-friendly remote cardiac monitoring and diagnosis," said Jacky Perdrigeat, EMEA Region Vice President, STMicroelectronics. "HTEC's decision to use ST high-performance, low-power technology confirms our enabling role in the development of innovative wearable applications for better lives."

"Accurate and timely diagnosis can save lives and doesn't allow compromises on underlying technology," said Srdjan Jovanovic, CTO, HTEC. "The superior processing power and energy efficiency of ST's control chip have helped us develop a consumer device with medical-grade quality that can make a big difference to people with heart problems both known and hidden."

Clinical trials are starting now with the new cardiac recorder potentially available in the market by the end of 2015, upon the release of product certification in Europe (CE) and China (CFDA). Availability in other markets is dependent on the release of the relevant certifications.

About STMicroelectronics

ST is a global semiconductor leader delivering intelligent and energy-efficient products and solutions that power the electronics at the heart of everyday life. ST's products are found everywhere today, and together with our customers, we are enabling smarter driving and smarter factories, cities and homes, along with the next generation of mobile and Internet of Things devices. By getting more from technology to get more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.

In 2014, the Company's net revenues were $7.40 billion, serving more than 100,000 customers worldwide. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

About HTEC

HTEC ( www.htec.rs) is a private R&D center that provides engineering services for international customers. HTEC has developed its Tele-Health system as an in-house project managed by an HTEC spin-off company HUMEDS ( www.humeds.com).

For press information, please contact:

STMicroelectronics
Michael Markowitz
Director Technical Media Relations
+1 781 591 0354
michael.markowitz@st.com

HTEC
Srdjan Jovanovic, CTO
+38163494349
srdjan.jovanovic@htec.rs

⁽¹⁾ HTEC's analysis has shown 99.6% accuracy in arrhythmia classification and 95% recognition of arrhythmia types. 

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