Multi-Modal ECG Electrodes for Cardiac Impedance and Acoustic Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ECG devices lack the capability to accurately and efficiently record mechanical and vascular activities without additional equipment and require extensive setup, which hinders their widespread acceptance and reimbursement by insurance providers.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel ECG device utilizing conventional ECG electrodes for impedance analysis, mechanical, acoustic, optical, and temperature measurements, along with additional sensors, to record cardiac activity without the need for extensive electrode placement, allowing for simplified operation and reduced additional workload on medical staff.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ECG electrodes are used for multiple measurements (impedance analysis, mechanical activity, acoustic signals), then the versatility of the device is improved, but the measurement precision may deteriorate due to signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode system into functionally separate components: ECG electrodes for electrical activity recording and additional sensors (accelerometers, microphones, impedance electrodes) for mechanical and acoustic measurements. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific measurement function while using the same physical electrode placement locations, thereby maintaining measurement precision across multiple modalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional sensors as intermediary devices attached to or integrated with the ECG electrodes. These intermediaries (accelerometers for mechanical activity, microphones for acoustic signals, impedance measurement circuits) act as mediators that capture different physical phenomena without interfering with the primary ECG signal recording, thus preserving measurement precision while enhancing versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional sensors are attached to ECG electrodes for mechanical and acoustic measurements, then the functionality of the device is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions (ECG, impedance analysis, mechanical activity detection, acoustic signal capture) into a single integrated device platform. By combining these functions around the same electrode placement locations and using a unified data processing system, the patent reduces the overall complexity compared to using separate devices for each measurement type, while significantly enhancing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal electrode system that serves multiple purposes: ECG recording, impedance measurement, mechanical activity sensing, and acoustic signal capture. This multi-functional electrode design eliminates the need for separate electrode sets for different measurements, thereby reducing device complexity while expanding functionality across multiple cardiac assessment modalities.
3Productivity
If multiple measurement modalities are integrated into a single ECG device, then the productivity of cardiac assessment is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased setup requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the device with all necessary sensors and measurement circuits integrated into the ECG electrode system before patient contact. The device is pre-calibrated and pre-programmed to automatically perform multiple measurement modalities (ECG, impedance, mechanical, acoustic) simultaneously or sequentially without requiring manual setup or reconfiguration during the examination, thereby maintaining ease of operation while enhancing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the integrated device automatically performs multiple measurement modalities and data processing tasks without requiring extensive manual intervention. The system autonomously captures ECG signals, impedance changes, mechanical activity, and acoustic signals, then processes and integrates these data streams automatically, reducing the operational burden on medical staff while significantly improving assessment productivity.
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
Enables comprehensive cardiac and circulatory analysis using fewer electrodes, improving accuracy and reducing operational complexity, while allowing for the detection of cardiac performance and biochemical parameters, such as BNP and fluid balance, with enhanced precision and ease.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic-to-electrical transducer is positioned
Implementation Method 2
US 2005/0273015 (Bauer) describes a vacuum chamber for a microphone of an ECG electrode
Implementation Method 3
multi-frequency impedance analysis and its sub-components active resistance, reactance and phase angle at different frequencies
Implementation Method 4
The measurement of oxygen saturation
Implementation Method 5
optical and temperature measurements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2l
Figure 3a~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an EKG device with limb leads and chest leads, said device also being suitable for recording the hemodynamic activity of the heart and the function of the blood vessels or for evaluating the fluid equilibrium. This is achieved in that at least some of the electrodes of the multichannel EKG device are equipped with additional functions for physical emissions and measurements, for example electric current and voltage, pressure, acoustic vibrations, and light, and an electrode is provided for supplying a current or for measuring a voltage at the upper thorax aperture. Furthermore, an AC field is generated between the electrodes or alternatively the distance between the electrodes is used as an ion conductor. In this manner, the acceleration of the blood and thus the cardiac output and the closing and opening of the valves together with the mechanical data of individual circuit sections, for example the pulse wave transit time, the blood flow of body sections, the body composition, etc. are registered during the conventional EKG recording and output simultaneously with the routine EKG.