Conductive Polymer Fabric Electrodes for Wearable ECG Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Ag/AgCl electrodes used in ECG monitoring suffer from high contact impedance, skin irritation, limited shelf stability, and are unsuitable for wet conditions and sports monitoring due to their metal composition and hydrogel's reliability issues.

Innovation Solution

Development of conductive polymer fabric electrodes with nucleophile derivatized nanoparticles and a conducting polymer film, which provide a non-metallic, flexible, and washable solution for bio-potential monitoring systems, capable of functioning in both dry and wet environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Ag/AgCl electrodes are used for ECG monitoring, then reliable signal measurement is achieved, but skin irritation occurs during prolonged usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal measurement reliabilityVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the Ag/AgCl metal component from the electrode structure, replacing it entirely with a conductive polymer composition. This extraction eliminates the source of skin irritation while preserving the electrochemical functionality needed for reliable ECG signal measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from metallic Ag/AgCl to a conductive polymer composition with specific properties (ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability). This parameter change maintains the electrochemical interface functionality while eliminating the harmful effects associated with metal-based electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If Ag/AgCl electrodes with hydrogel are used, then contact impedance is reduced, but the hydrogel dries out leading to unreliable ECG data

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveECG data reliabilityVSAvoidhydrogel shelf stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable electrode design where the conductive polymer electrode is integrated into a single-use adhesive patch. This eliminates the shelf stability issue by designing the electrode to be used immediately upon application, with no prolonged storage of hydrogel or conductive material required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure integrating the conductive polymer directly into the adhesive substrate, creating a unified material system that eliminates separate hydrogel components prone to drying out. The conductive polymer is embedded within the adhesive matrix, ensuring continuous skin contact without relying on free-standing hydrogel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If Ag/AgCl electrodes are used in wet conditions, then ECG monitoring is performed, but signal quality degrades due to ionic interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewet environment capabilityVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive polymer acts as an intermediary layer between the skin and the external environment. Its unique electrochemical properties allow it to maintain stable electron transfer at the skin interface while being inherently resistant to interference from ionic environments such as sweat or water, thus preserving signal quality in wet conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If Ag/AgCl electrodes are integrated into textiles, then wearable monitoring is enabled, but contact impedance increases leading to poor signal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewearable monitoring capabilityVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the conductive material parameter from metallic Ag/AgCl to conductive polymer with optimized electrical properties. The conductive polymer maintains low contact impedance when integrated into textile substrates, enabling wearable monitoring applications while preserving signal quality through its inherent electrochemical stability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 conductive polymer fabric electrodes offer improved signal-to-noise ratio, breathability, and durability, enabling effective ECG monitoring across various conditions and applications without the limitations of traditional Ag/AgCl electrodes.

Implementation Method 1

a conducting polymer:template polymer coating disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the stretchable insulating substrate through which a chemical bond forms between at least one anion of the template polymer and nucleophile derivatized nanoparticles located at the surface of the stretchable insulating substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS20230248311A1Conductive polymer electrodes, wiring elements, and use thereof in health and sports monitoring

Publication Date: 2023.08.10 UNIV OF CONNECTICUT

AI summary

Disclosed herein are conductive polymer electrodes and wiring elements for use as the conductive element in health monitoring applications, and more specifically to conductive polymer fabric electrodes or conductive polymer fabric wiring elements for use as the conductive element in pads for health monitoring applications and other wearable monitoring systems.