Electrode Assembly with Identifying Circuitry for ECG Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ECG measurement systems require a large number of lead wires, which restricts physician access, causes tangling issues, and increases the complexity and cost of data collection, while also limiting patient mobility and leading to inaccurate data due to wire damage.
Innovation Solution
An electrode assembly with electrode identifying circuitry and a connector system that allows for the transmission of physiological data through a minimal number of conductors, enabling automatic identification of anatomical locations and reducing the need for multiple lead wires, while also being adaptable for use with damaged electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large number of lead wires are used to obtain 12-lead ECG measurements, then comprehensive physiological data can be collected, but physician access to the patient is restricted and the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electrode connections into a single integrated adhesive electrode assembly. Multiple electrodes are mounted on a common adhesive substrate and connected to a single connector, allowing all electrodes to be applied to the patient as one unit rather than requiring separate wire connections for each electrode. This merging approach reduces the number of discrete lead wires while maintaining the capability to collect comprehensive 12-lead ECG data.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive electrode assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it adheres electrodes to the patient's skin, provides electrical connections through integrated conductors, and enables comprehensive 12-lead ECG monitoring. The single connector design allows the assembly to interface with standard ECG monitoring equipment while reducing the overall complexity of the connection system.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple lead wires are extended from the patient, then complete ECG monitoring is achieved, but patient mobility is restricted and tangling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple electrode connections into a single adhesive assembly with one connector, the patent eliminates the need for multiple separate lead wires extending from the patient. This integration maintains complete ECG monitoring capability while significantly improving patient mobility and eliminating the tangling problems associated with multiple discrete wires.
3Measurement precision
If ten separate lead wires are used for each electrode, then accurate physiological data can be obtained, but the risk of wire damage and data inaccuracy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple electrode connections into a single robust adhesive assembly with consolidated conductors. This merging approach reduces the number of discrete wire connections that are susceptible to damage, while the integrated design maintains signal integrity and measurement precision for accurate physiological data collection.
4Quantity of substance
If a large number of electrodes and lead wires are attached to the patient, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but the time required to remove and replace them increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple electrodes into a single removable adhesive assembly, the patent allows the entire electrode set to be removed and replaced as one unit rather than requiring individual removal and replacement of each electrode and lead wire connection. This significantly reduces the time required for electrode replacement while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for the collection of physiological data from a patient is disclosed herein. An electrode assembly comprises an external label identifying an anatomical location and an electrode identifying circuitry that produces a signal indicative of the anatomical location to which the electrode assembly is to be attached. The electrode assembly transmits both the collected physiological signal and the identification signal to a data monitor for collection and processing physiological data.