Angled ECG Electrodes on Back Plate for Cardiac Arrest Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
ECG signals obtained during cardiac arrest treatment by sternum compression are severely affected by the movement of the sternum, making it challenging to obtain reliable and accurate heart activity measurements in urgent situations.
Innovation Solution
A support with electrically non-conductive, angled ECG electrodes mounted on a back plate, allowing for flexible positioning and displacement to maintain contact with the patient's skin, minimizing signal interference from sternum movement. The electrodes are designed to be easily attachable and detachable, with a resilient spring mechanism ensuring continuous skin contact and connection to an ECG monitoring unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ECG electrodes are attached to the patient's back using a separate movable ECG apparatus, then the ECG signals can be measured, but the process is time-consuming and should be avoided in urgent situations
Solution Approach 1:
The ECG electrodes are integrated directly into the back plate structure, combining the support function and ECG monitoring function into a single unit. This eliminates the need for separate ECG apparatus and reduces attachment time during cardiac arrest treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECG electrodes are pre-positioned and pre-attached to the back plate in the correct configuration before patient arrival. When the patient is placed on the back plate, the electrodes are already in position and ready to immediately capture ECG signals, eliminating setup time.
2Ease of operation
If ECG electrodes are integrated into the back plate, then the attachment process is simplified, but the ECG signals are strongly affected by sternum movement during compression
Solution Approach 1:
The back plate is divided into functionally independent zones: the compression mechanism that applies force to the sternum and the ECG electrode system that remains stationary relative to the patient's back. This segmentation isolates the ECG electrodes from the mechanical compression movements, reducing signal interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The back plate itself acts as an intermediary structure that provides a stable, non-moving platform for the ECG electrodes. The electrodes are attached to the back plate rather than directly to the patient's chest, creating a stable reference frame that filters out the effects of sternum compression movements.
3Productivity
If the back plate is designed for sternum compression, then cardiac arrest treatment is effective, but the movement of sternum interferes with ECG signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the compression function (affecting the sternum) from the monitoring function (ECG electrodes on the back plate). The back plate structure allows the compression mechanism to apply force to the sternum while the ECG electrodes remain positioned on the patient's back, isolating them from compression-induced movements and their harmful interference effects.
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 solution effectively reduces the impact of sternum movement on ECG signal quality, enabling reliable and continuous monitoring of heart activity during cardiac arrest treatment, facilitating timely and effective interventions.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient spring mechanism ensuring continuous skin contact
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2~3
AI summary
An ECG electrode for mounting, in use, in a recess of a support for supporting the back of a patient in a supine position, said electrode comprising an electrically conductive electrode disk, resiliently compressible spring means disposed, in use, between the electrode disk and the support, and a flexible conducting means for connecting the electrode disk with an ECG monitoring unit.