Abdominal Wearable Electrode Layout for Diaphragm EMG
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for monitoring vital signs in premature babies using adhesive electrodes are harmful to their fragile skin, cause discomfort, and risk skin damage, while alternative non-contact methods are unreliable or invasive.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a carrier and conductive electrodes arranged on a belt around the abdomen to detect vital signs, using a second electrode to filter out noise from a first electrode signal, allowing for reliable EMG and ECG monitoring without direct skin adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive electrodes are used to monitor vital signs continuously, then reliable monitoring is achieved, but skin damage and discomfort occur
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode arrangement is segmented into multiple types (first electrodes on side parts, second electrode on mid front part) distributed around the abdominal part, allowing the monitoring function to be achieved through distributed contact points rather than continuous adhesive application
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier acts as an intermediary device that holds the electrodes in position around the abdominal part without requiring adhesive electrodes to be directly adhered to the skin. The carrier provides mechanical support and positioning while minimizing direct skin contact
2Measurement precision
If adhesive electrodes are adhered to ensure sufficient contact, then signal detection is reliable, but electrode removal causes stress and potential skin damage
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodes are pre-positioned on the carrier in the correct anatomical locations (side parts and mid front part of abdominal part) before use. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the carrier is applied, the electrodes are already in optimal positions for detecting membrane potential signals from the diaphragm and other vital organs
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier serves as a mediator that maintains electrode positioning and ensures sufficient contact with the skin during the monitoring period, eliminating the need for adhesive electrodes that would otherwise need to be removed and causing stress and skin damage
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are used for ECG and EMG monitoring, then comprehensive vital sign monitoring is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode arrangement on the carrier is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting membrane potential signals from the diaphragm (EMG), cardiac signals (ECG), and other electric physiologic signals from the body. The same set of electrodes (first electrodes on side parts and second electrode on mid front part) serves multiple monitoring purposes simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier combines multiple electrodes (first electrodes and second electrode) into a single integrated device worn around the abdominal part. This merging of electrodes and their support structure into one unit simplifies the overall system compared to using separate adhesive electrodes for each monitoring function
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides comfortable and reliable monitoring of vital signs with improved signal-to-noise ratio, facilitating skin-to-skin contact and easier handling for both the baby and parents, enhancing bonding and feeding experiences.
Implementation Method 1
the electrodes are arranged for receiving electric physiologic signals from the body for enabling monitoring of a membrane potential of one or more muscles in the body
Implementation Method 2
the second electrode thereby being arranged for receiving a second electrical signal indicative of one or more further electric physiologic signals from the body, for enabling filtering of the first electrical signal using the second electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device for monitoring one or more vital signs of a human body is described that includes a carrier suitable for being worn around an abdominal part of the body, and an electrode arrangement comprising a plurality of conductive electrodes. The electrodes are arranged on the carrier such as to be brought in contact with a skin of the body in use, and the electrodes are arranged for receiving electric physiologic signals from the body for enabling monitoring of a membrane potential of one or more muscles in the body. The electrodes include one or more first electrodes arranged on the carrier so as to be in contact with a side part of a torso of the body, to receive via said first electrodes a first electrical signal indicative of a membrane potential of a thoracic diaphragm of the body. The carrier includes at least one second electrode arranged on the carrier so as to be in contact with a mid front part of the abdominal part of the body. The at least one second electrode thereby being arranged for receiving a second electrical signal indicative of one or more further electric physiologic signals from the body, for enabling filtering of the first electrical signal using the second electrical signal for enabling electromyography of the thoracic diaphragm.