Conductive Garment Electrodes for Static-Resistant ECG Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heart rate straps require close skin contact, leading to privacy concerns, discomfort, and interference from static electricity affecting electrocardiogram signal accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A wearable device with conductive electrodes integrated into a garment, allowing for electrocardiogram signal acquisition without direct skin contact, using conductive threads or patches to transmit signals between inner and outer surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the heart rate strap uses highly elastic base materials to ensure close contact with the skin, then the electrocardiogram signal acquisition is improved, but the wearing comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrocardiogram signal acquisitionVSAvoidwearing comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a conductive layer as an intermediary between the skin and the electrocardiogram electrodes. This conductive layer is integrated into the garment structure, allowing the electrodes to acquire electrical signals without requiring highly elastic materials that compromise comfort. The conductive layer mediates the contact between the monitoring device and the body, maintaining signal quality while improving wearing experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the heart rate strap requires removing or lifting other garments to ensure close skin contact, then the electrocardiogram signal acquisition is improved, but the privacy requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrocardiogram signal acquisitionVSAvoidwearing scenario flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrocardiogram electrodes with the garment structure itself, integrating them into the clothing that the user wears normally. This combination allows the monitoring function to be incorporated into everyday attire, eliminating the need to remove or lift other garments. The electrodes are positioned within the garment to maintain close proximity to the skin while allowing the user to wear the garment as usual, thus preserving privacy and expanding wearing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the heart rate strap contacts the garment during exercise, then static electricity is generated, but this static electricity interferes with the electrocardiogram signal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexercise monitoring capabilityVSAvoidelectrocardiogram signal accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the static electricity issue by using conductive materials that can dissipate static charges rather than accumulate them. The conductive layer and electrodes are designed to provide a pathway for static electricity to be safely discharged, converting the potentially harmful static buildup into a controlled electrical flow that does not interfere with the electrocardiogram signal acquisition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Expands wearing scenarios, improves comfort, and ensures accurate electrocardiogram signal acquisition by eliminating static interference.

Implementation Method 1

the conductive electrode is configured to electrically connect a first region of the inner surface and a second region of the outer surface... transmit the electrical signal generated by the body of the user to the second region of the outer surface through the conductive electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4706522A1Wearable device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 ASCEND TECHNOLOGY LTD
  • EP4706522A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4706522A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4706522A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A wearable device is provided. The wearable device includes a garment, including an inner surface configured to contact the skin of a user and an outer surface opposite to the skin, wherein: the garment includes a conductive electrode configured to electrically connect a first region of the inner surface and a second region of the outer surface, the first region of the inner surface is configured to receive an electrical signal generated by the body of the user, and the second region of the outer surface is configured to connect to an external electrode such that the electrical signal is transmitted to the external electrode via the conductive electrode.