ECG Detection Apparatus with Multiple Electrodes and Signal Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrocardiographic measurement apparatuses only utilize a pair of measurement insulating electrodes and fail to effectively obtain and select multiple difference signals suitable for heartbeat measurement, leading to inefficiencies in detecting electrocardiographic data.

Innovation Solution

An electrocardiographic data detection apparatus with multiple electrodes, a difference signal generator, and a difference signal selector that selects the most suitable difference signals for heartbeat measurement from a larger set of generated signals, optimizing the selection based on signal-to-noise ratios and minimizing the impact of electrode position changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple electrodes are used to generate multiple difference signals, then the signal-to-noise ratio and measurement accuracy are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheartbeat measurement accuracyVSAvoidnumber of electrodes and signal processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the measurement system into multiple electrode pairs, where each pair generates a separate difference signal. This segmentation allows the system to process multiple independent signals simultaneously, improving measurement accuracy through redundancy while managing complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple electrodes serve multiple functions by being combined in different pairs to generate multiple difference signals. Each electrode participates in multiple measurement channels, maximizing the utility of each component and improving overall system efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a single pair of electrodes is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of heartbeat detection deteriorates when electrode position changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheartbeat detection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of electrodes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares multiple difference signals in advance from multiple electrode pairs before actual measurement. When electrode position changes occur, the system can switch to alternative pre-generated signals that were not affected by the position change, cushioning against measurement failures without requiring real-time complex processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the measurement parameters by selecting different electrode pairs and their corresponding difference signals based on the actual measurement conditions. This allows the system to adapt to electrode position changes by switching to parameters (signal channels) that remain valid under the new conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple difference signals are generated and selected, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the processing time and computational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidsignal processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by generating multiple difference signals from multiple electrode pairs in advance. This pre-computation allows the system to quickly select the most appropriate signal without performing complex processing in real-time, reducing measurement time while maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio through the pre-generated multiple signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 apparatus efficiently selects and generates difference signals with high signal-to-noise ratios, enabling accurate heartbeat detection without the need for repeated measurements, even when the electrode position relative to the body changes.

Implementation Method 1

the measurement circuit is configured to detect change in voltage caused through capacitance coupling between each of the measurement insulating electrodes and the human body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance coupling: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS20250017510A1Electrocardiographic data detection apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD

AI summary

An electrocardiographic data detection apparatus includes multiple electrodes disposed to face a human body; a difference signal generator configured to generate multiple difference signals from multiple sets of the multiple electrodes that are each a set of two electrodes of the multiple electrodes, each of the multiple difference signals being generated from signals of the two electrodes of the multiple electrodes; and a difference signal selector configured to select multiple difference signals suitable for measurement of a heartbeat from among the multiple difference signals generated by the difference signal generator.