Multichannel Biopotential Readout Circuit for High Common-Mode Rejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-channel biopotential signal acquisition systems face challenges in reducing power consumption and maintaining a high common-mode rejection ratio, particularly due to the influence of poorly functioning electrodes which can affect amplifier performance.

Innovation Solution

The proposed read-out circuitry shares amplification of the reference signal across channels, utilizing a capacitor to define different cut-off frequencies for differential and common mode signals, and incorporates a buffer to prevent cross-talk, ensuring efficient power use and high common-mode rejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a multichannel instrumentation amplifier design is used to reduce power consumption and number of parts, then power consumption is reduced by approximately 40 per cent, but input sections influence voltage at a shared point causing amplifier malfunction with badly functioning electrodes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidamplifier function
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the reference signal processing into separate independent sections for each channel, with each input section having its own reference signal connection. This segmentation prevents a single faulty electrode from affecting the entire amplifier system, as each channel's reference signal path remains isolated and functional independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If an extra common-mode sense electrode is used to handle badly functioning electrodes, then electrode malfunction is managed, but common-mode rejection ratio is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode handlingVSAvoidcommon-mode rejection ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates multiple copies of the reference signal connection, with each channel having its own independent reference signal path. This allows each channel to independently reject common-mode signals without relying on a shared common-mode sense electrode, thereby maintaining high common-mode rejection ratio while handling electrode malfunctions through the redundant reference paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Volume of moving object

If the sensor size is reduced to improve wearability and user experience, then the sensor can be integrated in a small patch, but power consumption control becomes more critical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor sizeVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple reference signal connections into a single multichannel instrumentation amplifier architecture, reducing the total number of separate amplifier components needed. This merging achieves power consumption reduction of approximately 40 per cent compared to n independent one-channel amplifiers, enabling smaller sensor size while maintaining acceptable power levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3667907B1A read-out circuitry for acquiring a multi-channel biopotential signal and a sensor for sensing a biopotential signal
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 STICHTING IMEC NEDERLAND
  • EP3667907B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3667907B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3667907B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A read-out circuitry for acquiring a multi-channel biopotential signal, comprises: a plurality of read-out signal channels (120a-c; 220a-c; 320a-c; 420a-c), each receiving an input signal from a unique signal electrode (102); a reference channel (130; 230; 330; 430) receiving a reference signal from a reference electrode (102); wherein each read-out signal channel (120a-c; 220a-c; 320a-c; 420a-c) and the reference channel (130; 230; 330; 430) comprises a channel amplifier connected to receive the input signal in a first input node and with an output node connected to a second input node via a channel feedback loop; wherein each signal channel amplifier (122a-c; 222a-c; 322a-c; 422a-c) comprises a capacitor (124a-c; 224a-c; 324a-c; 424a-c) between the second input nodes of the signal channel amplifier (122a-c; 222a-c; 322a-c; 422a-c) and the reference channel amplifier (132; 232; 332; 432), and wherein each signal channel feedback loop and the reference channel feedback loop comprise a filter.