Biopotential Electrode with Differential Noise Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biopotential measurement methods can irritate the skin, require shaving, and are prone to motion artifacts that distort waveforms, making accurate measurements difficult without direct skin contact.
Innovation Solution
A biopotential measuring electrode with a circular lead for detecting biopotentials and a ring-shaped lead for detecting noise, using a differential amplifier circuit with impedance settings to minimize noise components, allowing non-invasive measurement through clothing, and a biopotential measuring apparatus that includes an amplifier, filter, A/D converter, and wireless transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gel is applied on the skin and electrodes are caused to contact the skin for biopotential measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but skin irritation occurs and the procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (conductive adhesive tape or fabric) between the electrode and the skin, eliminating direct skin-gel contact while maintaining electrical conductivity. This mediator allows biopotential measurement without the harmful effects of gel application, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and skin irritation.
2Measurement precision
If gel is applied and electrodes contact the skin directly for accurate biopotential measurement, then measurement quality is improved, but the procedure complexity increases due to hair shaving requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive intermediary material (tape or fabric) serves as a mediator that eliminates the need for skin preparation steps such as gel application and hair shaving. This intermediary allows the electrode to function effectively without direct skin contact, significantly simplifying the measurement procedure while maintaining measurement quality.
3Measurement precision
If conventional direct skin contact measurement is used, then biopotential can be measured, but motion artifacts distort the waveform and reduce measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive intermediary material acts as a buffer between the electrode and skin, reducing the transmission of motion artifacts while maintaining electrical signal integrity. This mediator allows the electrode to remain stable during movement, improving measurement reliability without sacrificing biopotential detection accuracy.
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
Enables accurate biopotential measurement without direct skin contact and minimizes motion artifacts, allowing reliable detection of biopotentials even with movement, as demonstrated by clear measurement results in various scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a differential amplifier circuit which is input with a first signal output from the first lead and a second signal output from the second lead, and which amplifies and outputs a difference between the first signal and the second signal
Implementation Method 2
a value of an input impedance on the second signal side of the differential amplifier circuit is set so that the noise components detected from the second lead will have a frequency that is higher than a frequency spectrum of the biopotential
Data Source
AI summary
A biopotential can be measured with high accuracy without the electrodes coming into direct contact with the skin and without being affected by any motion artifact. The present invention comprises a first lead which detects a biopotential containing noise components, a second lead which is electrically isolated from the first lead and detects noise components, and a differential amplifier circuit which is input with a first signal output from the first lead and a second signal output from the second lead, and which amplifies and outputs a difference between the first signal and the second signal, wherein a value of an input impedance on the second signal side of the differential amplifier circuit is set so that the noise components detected from the second lead will have a frequency that is higher than a frequency spectrum of the biopotential.