Telephone biotelemetry

This paper is concerned with telephone biotelemetry, such as in the transmission of ECGs or EEGs through telephone networks. It briefly describes the applications of biotelemetry and some research activities in the field. Spectral characteristics and bandwidths of ECG and EEG, and some methods for transmitting these physiological signals through telephone lines are discussed. Shortcomings in the existing telephone biotelemetry systems are identified and some possible solutions to these problems are investigated. The paper is written as a tutorial article directed primarily at clinical engineers, biomedical equipment technicians and other health-care professionals who are interested in the subject.