ECG Electrode Connector Integrating Safety Network to Reduce Hardware Weight

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ECG electrode connectors and hardware are bulky and heavy, making them uncomfortable, especially for mobile applications where patients can freely move.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a safety network with resistors, voltage clamping elements, and optionally inductors into the ECG electrode connector, allowing the trunk unit to be eliminated, thereby reducing the size and weight of the hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ECG electrode connectors with separate trunk unit are used, then electrical protection and filtering are provided, but the hardware becomes bulky and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical protectionVSAvoidhardware weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the trunk unit functionality directly into the ECG electrode connector by integrating the safety network (resistors, voltage clamping elements, inductors) and signal processing circuitry into the connector housing. This consolidation eliminates the need for a separate bulky trunk unit while maintaining all necessary electrical protection and filtering functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the ECG measurement system into distributed functional units, placing safety elements and signal processing components directly at the electrode connector level rather than centralizing them in a separate trunk unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces overall system weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional ECG electrode connectors with separate trunk unit are used, then electrical protection and filtering are provided, but the hardware becomes bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical protectionVSAvoidhardware volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If conventional ECG electrode connectors are used, then electrical connections are established, but the system becomes complex with multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional components (connector, safety network, signal processing circuitry) into a single integrated ECG electrode connector unit. This integration simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating the need for separate trunk unit and reducing the number of discrete components that need to be assembled and connected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3755218B1ECG electrode connector and ECG cable

Publication Date: 2025.06.18 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

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AI summary

The present invention relates to an ECG electrode connector (1) and an ECG cable. To eliminate a trunk cable of a conventional ECG cable arrangement, the ECG electrode connector (1) is configured for mechanically and electrically connecting an ECG electrode with a lead wire. It comprises a connection arrangement (10) for mechanically connecting the ECG electrode connector (1) with an ECG electrode (100), a lead wire terminal (14) for connection with a signal line (301) of a lead wire (300), a shield terminal (15) for connection with a shield (302) of the lead wire (300), an electrode contact (17) for contacting an electrical contact (101) of the ECG electrode (100), a voltage clamping element (13) coupled between the lead wire terminal (14) and the shield terminal (15), and a resistor (16) coupled between the lead wire terminal (14) and the electrode contact (17).