The present invention provides a medical apparatus which is capable ofmeasuringelectrocardiogram (ECG) medical data of a patient and directly transmittingcollectedinformation to a computer. The apparatus comprises at least one medical datagatheringmodule, at least one microprocessor, and further wherein the apparatus furthercomprises amedical data handling module separate from the at least one microprocessor forbufferingmedical data transfer between the medical data gathering module and themicroprocessor andoptionally further wherein the medical data handling module can gather andstore data inpredetermined groups of data and the microprocessor can retrieve data from themedical datahandling module in one or more multiples of predetermined groups of data. Theapparatusfurther comprises a defibrillation protection circuit at the input of themedical data gatheringmodule and an electromagnetic isolation barrier at the output of the medicaldata gatheringmodule.