Analog Motion Artifact Extraction in Biosignal Monitoring Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biosignal monitoring systems face challenges in effectively reducing motion artifacts from biopotential electrical signals, such as ECG, EEG, and EMG, due to changes in the skin-electrode interface during movement, which current techniques like digital adaptive filters and accelerometer-based methods do not adequately address for single-end motion artifact reduction.

Innovation Solution

A biosignal monitoring system comprising a signal processing module, a motion artifact extraction module implemented as an analog domain electronic circuit with a filter network, and a subtraction module, which extracts and attenuates differential mode signals from a first frequency while passing motion artifact signals up to a second frequency, allowing for accurate and efficient single-end motion artifact reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If digital adaptive filters are used to remove motion artifacts, then motion artifact reduction is achieved, but the system complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion artifactVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex digital signal processing systems with a simple analog filter circuit. The analog filter uses passive components (resistors, capacitors) and an operational amplifier to achieve motion artifact reduction through frequency-based signal separation, eliminating the need for complex digital algorithms and processors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a cost-effective analog filter circuit that can be easily manufactured and integrated into biosignal monitoring systems. The use of standard electronic components makes the solution economically viable and suitable for widespread deployment in portable and wearable devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If accelerometer-based methods are used for motion artifact removal, then motion detection capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion artifactVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and filters only the motion artifact frequency components from the biosignal using an analog filter, separating the harmful motion-induced frequencies from the useful physiological signal frequencies. This extraction approach removes motion artifacts without requiring additional sensors or complex processing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If electrode-skin impedance measurement is used as reference signal, then motion artifact extraction is improved, but the measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion artifact signalVSAvoidimpedance measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the biosignal into different frequency components using the analog filter. The filter network separates motion artifact frequencies from physiological signal frequencies, allowing independent processing of each component. This segmentation enables motion artifact removal without requiring precise impedance measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The system effectively extracts and subtracts motion artifacts, improving the accuracy and power efficiency of biosignal monitoring by attenuating differential mode signals and representing motion artifacts up to a specific frequency, thereby enhancing the quality of biopotential electrical signals.

Implementation Method 1

a filter network, configured for attenuating differential mode signals of the biopotential electrical signal input from a first frequency, and passing a representation of the motion artifact signal from the biopotential electrical signal input up to a second frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentEP3939495B1Biosignal monitoring system with motion artifact reduction
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICRO ELECTRONICS CENT (IMEC VZW)
  • EP3939495B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3939495B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3939495B1 patent drawingFigure 2c

AI summary

A biosignal monitoring system (100) for reducing a motion artifact from at least one biopotential electrical signal input (1, 2), comprises: a signal processing module (10), a motion artifact extraction module (9) and a subtraction module (11). The motion artifact extraction module (9) and the signal processing module (10) receive the biopotential electrical signal input (1, 2) and the subtraction module (11) receives both an extracted signal from an output (3, 4) of the motion artifact extraction module (9) and a biopotential electrical signal from an output (5, 6) of the signal processing module (10). The subtraction module (11) is configured for subtracting the extracted signal from the biopotential electrical signal. The motion artifact extraction module (9) is implemented as analog domain electronic circuit and comprises a filter network, configured for attenuating differential mode signals of the biopotential electrical signal input (1, 2) from a first frequency (F1), and passing a representation of the motion artifact signal from the biopotential electrical signal input (1, 2) up to a second frequency (F2) at the output (3, 4) of the motion artifact extraction module (9).