Electrode Communication Device for Physiological Signal Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for acquiring physiological data, such as ECG, require a large number of lead wires that can become tangled or damaged, restricting patient mobility and leading to inaccurate data collection and increased clinician time for setup and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The use of smart electrodes with a conductive array and electrode communication device that allows for flexible connection and disconnection with a data monitor, reducing the need for multiple wires and improving anatomical referencing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple lead wires are used to connect electrodes to the patient, then physiological data can be collected from multiple locations, but the wires become tangled and damaged, restricting patient mobility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of lead wiresVSAvoidpatient mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual lead wires into a single integrated cable assembly that connects to multiple electrodes simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the number of separate wires the patient interacts with, thereby improving mobility while maintaining the capability to collect physiological data from multiple electrode locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the cable assembly into multiple conductive elements, each independently connected to specific electrodes. This segmentation allows each electrode connection to function independently while being managed through a single consolidated cable structure, reducing tangling and damage risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If multiple lead wires are used to connect electrodes, then comprehensive physiological monitoring is achieved, but wire tangling increases clinician time for setup and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of lead wiresVSAvoidclinician time for setup and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-organizing multiple electrode connections within a single cable assembly before patient application. The conductive elements are pre-routed and pre-connected to their respective electrodes, eliminating the need for clinicians to individually connect multiple separate wires during setup, thereby reducing preparation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By merging multiple electrode connections into one integrated cable assembly, the patent reduces the number of individual connection operations required during setup and maintenance. This consolidation allows clinicians to manage and replace a single cable assembly rather than handling multiple separate wires, significantly reducing time investment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If individual lead wires are associated with specific ECG electrodes, then accurate anatomical mapping is achieved, but damage to one wire requires replacement of the entire wire set

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanatomical location accuracyVSAvoidwire set replacement cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individually-addressable conductive elements into a single replaceable cable assembly unit. This allows the system to maintain precise anatomical mapping through coded identification of each conductive element while enabling economical replacement of the entire assembly as a single unit, avoiding the need to replace individual wires.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable assembly is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that can serve multiple electrode connections simultaneously. Each conductive element within the assembly maintains its specific anatomical mapping function, but the entire assembly can be replaced as a single standardized component, improving ease of manufacture and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Quantity of substance

If ten electrodes are used to obtain twelve-lead ECG, then comprehensive cardiac monitoring is achieved, but the large number of wires restricts patient movement and causes discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of electrodesVSAvoidpatient comfort and mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the connections from ten separate electrodes into a single integrated cable assembly that the patient interacts with as one unit. This consolidation dramatically reduces the number of separate wire connections the patient manages, improving comfort and mobility while maintaining comprehensive twelve-lead ECG monitoring capability through the distributed electrode array.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8326394B2System and apparatus for collecting physiological signals from a plurality of electrodes
Publication Date: 2012.12.04 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
  • US8326394B2 patent drawing
  • US8326394B2 patent drawing
  • US8326394B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and apparatus for obtaining physiological data from a patient. The system and apparatus comprising at least one electrode disposed to collect physiological data from the patient and an electrode connection device having a conductive array formed by a plurality of conductive regions and a plurality of nonconductive regions. The conductive regions are suitable to be connected to the at least one electrode. The electrode may be connected to a first conductive region of the electrode communication device and wherein upon movement by the patient or the conductive array, the electrode is connected to a second conductive region of the conductive array.