Validation of Laplacian sensor characteristics

The depolarization of the heart muscle or propagation of a current along cells can be simulated by a translating dipole. A Laplacian sensor consists of two concentric electrodes to detect a change in potential within an immediate area. To better understand the detection characteristics of the sensor, a physiological simulation tank was constructed. The tank represented the thoracic cavity focussing on the heart. The sensor´s can be characterized from the recorded dipole position and simultaneous electrode response. Stepper motors and a Stamp microprocessor allowed for high accuracy, resolution, and a recorded position of dipole motion. The test procedure and simulated results are presented