A web-based tool for visualization and collaborative annotation of physiological databases

In this paper we present a novel web-based service, available through Physionet (www.physionet.org), that utilizes a Java applet front-end for visualization and integrates seamlessly with WFDB-based back-end CGI scripts to facilitate simple point-and-click user interaction and data annotation. The service allows users to peruse visually all ECG databases available on Physionet through a web browser. The web tool displays waveforms and accompanying derived time series and histograms for information such as heart rate, QT-interval and ST-segment deviation. By virtue of its web interface and centralized storage of annotations, this service for database visualization and annotation promotes worldwide collaboration for the development of more robust databases in far less time than with conventional, manual practices.