Brassiere ECG Sensor Accommodation for Skin Irritation Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional long-term ECG monitoring methods are uncomfortable and irritating due to skin preparation and adhesive electrodes, and can be painful to remove, while also causing skin irritation from prolonged exposure to conductive gel.
Innovation Solution
A brassiere with integrated ECG sensors and a wireless transmitter, where sensors are detachably attached using a flexible, non-adhesive design that contours to the torso, providing comfortable and continuous monitoring without the need for skin preparation or strong adhesives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional adhesive electrodes are used for long-term ECG monitoring, then reliable ECG signal acquisition is achieved, but skin irritation and pain during removal occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the adhesive component from the electrode design, extracting the harmful element while retaining the functional element. The electrode consists only of the conductive element without adhesive backing, eliminating skin irritation and painful removal while maintaining ECG signal acquisition capability through alternative attachment methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (conductive gel or saline solution) between the electrode and skin to achieve both reliable signal acquisition and comfort. This intermediary provides the necessary electrical conductivity while being gentle on the skin, replacing the need for strong adhesives.
2Stability of the object's composition
If strong adhesive is used to attach electrodes, then electrode stability is improved, but removal becomes painful
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive component is completely removed from the electrode structure. The electrode relies on mechanical attachment methods (clips, snaps, or friction fit) rather than chemical adhesion, providing sufficient stability during wear while allowing painless removal by simply detaching the mechanical connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable electrodes that are attached and removed multiple times without adhesive residue. These short-term use electrodes prioritize ease of removal and patient comfort over long-term permanent attachment, suitable for intermittent monitoring sessions.
3Measurement precision
If conductive gel is applied to improve electrode-skin conductivity, then signal quality is enhanced, but prolonged exposure causes skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates or minimizes the conductive gel component in favor of alternative conductivity mechanisms. Some embodiments use saline-soaked pads or conductive fabrics that provide adequate conductivity without the skin-irritating properties of traditional thick conductive gels, reducing prolonged exposure irritation while maintaining signal quality.
4Reliability
If skin preparation (shaving, abrading, cleaning) is performed, then electrode attachment and signal quality are improved, but patient comfort and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for aggressive skin preparation steps. By using adhesive-free electrodes with mechanical attachment or friction-fit designs, the system achieves reliable attachment without needing to shave, abrade, or extensively clean the skin, greatly simplifying the application process and improving patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode design allows for self-application by patients without requiring technician intervention for skin preparation. The simplified attachment mechanism enables patients to attach electrodes themselves to clean or minimally prepared skin, making the monitoring system more accessible and comfortable for home use.
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 allows for unobtrusive, all-day continuous ECG monitoring that is comfortable and effective, with sensors held securely in place by the bra's tension, reducing skin irritation and the pain of electrode removal, while providing high-quality ECG signal characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor membranes may be in electrical contact with a mating snap and the sensor membranes may include an electrically conductive, flexible material
Implementation Method 2
The major surface may be curved or flat and may also be covered with a conductive gel film
Data Source
AI summary
The brassiere may include at least one accommodation disposed on a portion of the brassiere with the at least one accommodation configured to carry at least a pair of sensors. The pair of sensors may be detachably carried by the at least one accommodation. The accommodation may be a pocket, slit, or pouch. The accommodation may be a pair of pockets that support a garment accessory. The garment accessory may include a member having first and second ends that fit within the pair of pockets. The pair of sensors may be carried by the member, which holds the sensors against the skin of a subject wearing the brassiere. The garment accessory may further include a wireless transmitter carried by the member.