Area Electrode Detecting Perpendicular Bioelectrical Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard bipolar EMG technology struggles to determine the regionality of uterine contractions due to undefined regions and is hindered in obese patients by excess fat impeding access to the uterus, resulting in low signal quality and noise interference.
Innovation Solution
The use of area electrodes with a metal layer, configured to detect bioelectrical signals originating perpendicular to the surface and reject lateral signals and noise, allowing for improved spatial resolution and signal strength by detecting the orientation and originating location of bioelectrical signals from intra-abdominal organs like the uterus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard bipolar EMG technology is used to detect uterine contractions, then the measurement setup is simple, but the spatial resolution and ability to determine regionality of contractions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The abdomen is divided into multiple regions with electrodes placed at specific locations (e.g., four quadrants or multiple segments along the abdomen) to detect contractions in different regions independently, enabling determination of regionality and spatial resolution of uterine contractions
Solution Approach 2:
Electrodes are placed at specific local positions on the abdomen corresponding to different uterine regions, with each electrode optimized to detect electrical activity from its specific anatomical location, providing localized measurement precision while maintaining overall system simplicity
2Reliability
If EMG recordings are performed in obese patients, then the ability to monitor labor is maintained, but excess fat impedes access to the uterus and reduces signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact with the uterus (which is impeded by fat) with electrical field detection through the abdominal wall, using the conductive properties of biological tissues to transmit electrical signals from uterine contractions through the fat layer to surface electrodes, thereby overcoming the mechanical barrier of excess fat
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode design and signal processing parameters are optimized to enhance detection of electrical signals through varying tissue depths, adjusting frequency ranges, amplification gains, and filtering characteristics to improve signal quality despite the attenuating effect of fat tissue in obese patients
3Measurement precision
If area electrodes with directional detection capability are used, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but electrode design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The area electrodes are designed with asymmetric configurations or specific geometric shapes (e.g., circular, rectangular, or triangular arrangements) that create directional sensitivity, allowing the electrodes to preferentially detect electrical signals from specific orientations while rejecting signals from other directions, thereby improving signal-to-noise ratio through inherent geometric design rather than complex electronic circuitry
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
This approach enhances the ability to determine true labor by accurately measuring and recording uterine contractions with improved signal-to-noise ratio, even in obese patients, by delineating the source of electrical activity within the abdominal cavity and providing directional signaling.
Implementation Method 1
The first area electrode includes a metal layer that defines an electrode body... detecting a first bioelectrical signal with the first area electrode. The first bioelectrical signal is generated from a muscle-containing intra-abdominal organ
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The present disclosure discuses systems and methods for detecting and recording bioelectric signals, and specifically bioelectrical signals generated by abdominal organs, such as the uterus. The disclosure discusses area electrodes and arrays of area electrodes. The area electrodes are defined in a metal layer and include an inner and outer diameter. The area electrodes are configured to detect electrical signals generated substantially perpendicular to a surface of the area electrode while rejecting electrical signals generated substantially parallel to the surface of the area electrode.