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== European Data Format ==


The '''European Data Format''' ('''EDF''') is a simple and flexible format for exchange and storage of multichannel biological and physical signals. It is widely used in [[electroencephalography|EEG]], [[polysomnography|PSG]], and [[Electrocardiography|ECG]].
{{Infobox file format
| name = European Data Format
| extension = .edf
| owner = European Data Format Plus
| genre = [[File format]]
| standard = [[Open standard]]
}}


[[File:European Data Format.png|thumb|right|300px|An example of a European Data Format file]]
The '''European Data Format''' ('''EDF''') is a standard file format designed for the exchange and storage of [[multichannel]] [[biomedical]] and other [[physiological]] signals. It is widely used in [[sleep research]], [[neurology]], and other fields that require the recording of [[electrophysiological]] data.


== History ==
== History ==
The European Data Format was developed in 1992 by a group of European researchers to facilitate the sharing of [[polysomnographic]] data. The format was designed to be simple, flexible, and platform-independent, allowing for easy exchange of data between different [[software]] and [[hardware]] systems.


The European Data Format was first published in 1992 by [[Bob Kemp]] and his team at the [[Sleep Disorders Centre]] of the [[Slotervaart Hospital]] in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The aim was to create a standard file format for exchange and storage of physiological signals, that is easy to use and flexible enough to accommodate different types of signals and analyses.
== Features ==
EDF files are [[binary files]] that contain [[header]] information followed by [[data records]]. The header includes metadata such as the number of [[signals]], the [[sampling rate]], and the [[duration]] of the data records. Each data record contains the actual [[signal data]] for all channels.


== Structure ==
=== EDF+ ===
 
An extended version of the format, known as '''EDF+''', was introduced to support [[annotations]] and [[event markers]]. EDF+ files can store additional information such as [[sleep stages]], [[seizure]] events, or other [[clinical]] annotations, making it more suitable for [[clinical research]] and [[diagnostic]] purposes.
An EDF file consists of a header record followed by data records. The header record contains general information about the patient and the recording, as well as specific information about each signal. The data records contain the digitized signals.
 
=== Header Record ===
 
The header record is divided into two parts: the administrative part and the technical part. The administrative part contains information about the patient and the recording, such as the patient's name, sex, birthdate, and the start date and time of the recording. The technical part contains information about each signal, such as the type of signal, the number of samples in each data record, and the physical and digital minimum and maximum.
 
=== Data Record ===
 
The data records contain the digitized signals. Each signal is represented by a sequence of samples, which are stored consecutively in the data record. The number of samples for each signal is specified in the header record.


== Applications ==
== Applications ==
EDF is commonly used in:
* [[Electroencephalography]] (EEG)
* [[Electromyography]] (EMG)
* [[Electrocardiography]] (ECG)
* [[Polysomnography]]


The European Data Format is widely used in [[electroencephalography|EEG]], [[polysomnography|PSG]], and [[Electrocardiography|ECG]]. It is also used in other fields of research and clinical practice, such as [[neurology]], [[psychiatry]], and [[sleep medicine]].
== Software Support ==
Many [[open-source]] and [[commercial]] software packages support EDF, including:
* [[MATLAB]]
* [[Python]] libraries such as [[MNE]] and [[pyEDFlib]]
* [[EEGLAB]]


== See also ==
== See Also ==
 
* [[Biomedical signal processing]]
* [[Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine|DICOM]]
* [[Data format]]
* [[Health Level 7|HL7]]
* [[Signal processing]]
* [[Medical Imaging NetCDF|MINC]]


== References ==
== References ==
* Kemp, B., Värri, A., Rosa, A. C., Nielsen, K. D., & Gade, J. (1992). A simple format for exchange of digitized polygraphic recordings. ''Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology'', 82(5), 391-393.


<references />
== External Links ==
 
* [Official EDF website](http://www.edfplus.info/)
{{medicine-stub}}


[[Category:Medical software]]
[[Category:File formats]]
[[Category:File formats]]
[[Category:Health informatics]]
[[Category:Biomedical engineering]]
[[Category:Data interchange standards]]
[[Category:Open formats]]

Latest revision as of 21:26, 27 December 2024


European Data Format



Filename extension.edf
Internet media type
Uniform Type Identifier (UTI)
Magic number
Developed by
Initial release
Latest release
Type of format
Container for
Contained by




The European Data Format (EDF) is a standard file format designed for the exchange and storage of multichannel biomedical and other physiological signals. It is widely used in sleep research, neurology, and other fields that require the recording of electrophysiological data.

History[edit]

The European Data Format was developed in 1992 by a group of European researchers to facilitate the sharing of polysomnographic data. The format was designed to be simple, flexible, and platform-independent, allowing for easy exchange of data between different software and hardware systems.

Features[edit]

EDF files are binary files that contain header information followed by data records. The header includes metadata such as the number of signals, the sampling rate, and the duration of the data records. Each data record contains the actual signal data for all channels.

EDF+[edit]

An extended version of the format, known as EDF+, was introduced to support annotations and event markers. EDF+ files can store additional information such as sleep stages, seizure events, or other clinical annotations, making it more suitable for clinical research and diagnostic purposes.

Applications[edit]

EDF is commonly used in:

Software Support[edit]

Many open-source and commercial software packages support EDF, including:

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

  • Kemp, B., Värri, A., Rosa, A. C., Nielsen, K. D., & Gade, J. (1992). A simple format for exchange of digitized polygraphic recordings. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 82(5), 391-393.

External Links[edit]