Electrode Contact Feedback for Accurate ECG Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological information measurement devices, such as portable electrocardiogram recorders, lack the ability to accurately indicate the contact state of electrodes with the skin, leading to potential overpressing and myoelectric noise, which hinders correct electrocardiogram recording.
Innovation Solution
A biological information measurement device with multiple electrodes and contact state detection means that classify and report the contact state of each electrode in three or more stages, using various output methods like sound, vibration, and display to intuitively guide users on the appropriate pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrode is pressed against the skin to improve contact state, then the contact resistance decreases, but excessive force may be applied causing myoelectric noise and preventing correct recording
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the contact state detection unit continuously monitors the contact state of the electrode and provides real-time feedback to the user through the reporting unit. This allows the user to adjust the pressing force to achieve optimal contact without excessive force that would cause myoelectric noise, thereby resolving the contradiction between improving contact state and avoiding harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual feedback through color changes on the display unit to indicate different contact states. The display shows different colors or color intensities corresponding to different contact quality levels, enabling users to intuitively understand the contact state and adjust their pressure accordingly to avoid both insufficient contact and excessive force causing noise.
2Device complexity
If binary contact state detection is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the user cannot understand the degree of contact improvement needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the contact state into multiple levels or stages rather than using a simple binary detection. The contact state detection unit divides the contact quality into different grades (e.g., poor contact, acceptable contact, good contact) and reports each level separately. This segmentation provides detailed information about the degree of contact improvement while maintaining relatively simple detection circuitry, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional binary contact state detection to multi-dimensional graded detection. By introducing an additional dimension of detail (contact level or stage), the system provides richer information about contact quality without significantly increasing complexity. The reporting unit presents this multi-level information in an intuitive manner, enabling users to understand the degree of contact improvement needed.
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 device allows users to maintain optimal electrode-skin contact, reducing myoelectric noise and ensuring accurate electrocardiogram recordings by providing clear feedback on electrode contact levels.
Implementation Method 1
an electric circuit detects whether the contact resistance between the skin and the electrode is sufficiently small
Data Source
AI summary
A biological information measurement system including a biological information measurement device and an information processing terminal configured to communicate with the biological information measurement device, the biological information measurement system provided with a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, and configured to measure biological information of a measurement target based on a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode with a potential of the third electrode as a reference potential, in which the biological information measurement device includes a first contact signal output means, a second contact signal output means, a contact state classification unit configured to classify a level of the contact state of each of the first electrode and the second electrode with respect to the measurement target into at least three stages based on each signal output from the first converter and the second converter.