Dry Electrode Waterproof Design for ECG Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ECG monitoring equipment faces issues with short gel validity, signal acquisition errors, skin allergies, poor waterproofing, and inaccurate diagnoses due to limited battery life and discontinuous data acquisition in portable patch-type ECG products.
Innovation Solution
A non-disposable dry electrode with a conductive silica gel contact surface layer and a flexible insulating encapsulation, featuring a glue layer for quick adhesion and replacement, and a waterproof design using a combination of flexible silica gel and hard plastic to achieve IPX7 waterproofing, along with a detachable upper cover for extended monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conductive gel wet electrode is used for ECG monitoring, then signal acquisition is enabled, but the electrode is easy to be air-dried over time leading to short validity period and signal acquisition errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrode from wet (gel-based) to dry, eliminating the conductive gel layer. This parameter change transforms the electrode from a time-limited wet state to a stable dry state that does not deteriorate over time, thereby extending validity period while maintaining signal acquisition accuracy through capacitive coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional conductive gel mechanism with a capacitive coupling mechanism. Instead of relying on gel conductivity that dries out, the dry electrode uses electrical field coupling between the electrode and skin, substituting a mechanical/chemical system with an electrical field-based system that has no validity period limitation
2Ease of operation
If patch physiological multi-parameter monitoring equipment is made with exposed conductive electrodes for flexibility, then wearability is improved, but waterproof performance deteriorates to only living waterproof level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible waterproof coating film that conformally covers the exposed electrodes and device surface. This thin film structure maintains the flexibility and wearability of the patch while providing complete waterproof protection, allowing the device to withstand water immersion up to IPX7 standard
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structure combining flexible substrate, conductive electrodes, and waterproof coating layers. This composite approach integrates multiple functions: the flexible base provides wearability, the conductive elements enable signal acquisition, and the waterproof coating ensures water resistance, achieving both comfort and reliability
3Duration of action of stationary object
If long-term data acquisition is performed with limited battery life, then monitoring duration is extended, but discontinuity occurs when equipment is removed for charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply system into modular battery units that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows the monitoring device to maintain continuous operation by swapping depleted batteries with charged ones, eliminating downtime and ensuring uninterrupted data acquisition for extended periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary charging of multiple battery units before use. By having pre-charged backup batteries ready, the system can immediately replace depleted batteries without interruption to the monitoring process, ensuring continuous data acquisition and eliminating gaps in the recorded data
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 provides long-term, accurate, and comfortable ECG monitoring with reduced production and user costs, improved signal quality, and enhanced waterproofing, enabling continuous data acquisition without battery interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a contact surface layer (1) which is exposed on the first surface... the contact surface layer comprises an exposed part (11) and an embedded part (12)... embedded into the encapsulation (2)
Implementation Method 2
a glue layer (4) which is disposed on the first surface (21)... provided with a contact surface hole (41) which corresponds to a position of the exposed part (11)... for quick adhesion with the glue layer (4)
Implementation Method 3
an encapsulation (2)... flexible insulating encapsulation... embedded part (12) being embedded into the encapsulation (2)
Implementation Method 4
waterproof design using a combination of flexible silica gel and hard plastic to achieve IPX7 waterproofing
Data Source
AI summary
A dry electrode and a physiological multi-parameter monitoring equipment are disclosed. The waterproof dry electrode comprises an encapsulation, extraction electrode and a contact surface layer, wherein the extraction electrode and the contact surface layer are connected with each other and disposed in the encapsulation; the contact surface layer comprises an exposed part and an embedded part encapsulation; the encapsulation comprises flexible silica gel and hard plastic portion, the embedded part being embedded into the hard plastic portion, and the hard plastic portion being packaged in the flexible silica gel. Through the above arrangement in the present invention, the dry electrode can reach a waterproof grade of IPX7, which is higher than living waterproof grade of an ordinary dry electrode. The PMPME can be a patch-type acquisition and monitoring equipment which is convenient for long time wearing and physiological multi-parameter monitoring, with excellent sealing and waterproofness, and the electrode is reusable.