Flexible ECG Wearable Structure for Waterproof Battery Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable biomedical devices for monitoring physiological parameters are bulky, uncomfortable, prone to incorrect use, and suffer from issues related to water exposure, lack of standardization, and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A biomedical device with a solid body comprising a first and second rigid portion connected by a flexible connection portion, accommodating control circuitry, and using standardized ECG electrodes, which allows for deformable attachment to the body, is impermeable, and features a safety mechanism for battery access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the device uses a voluminous main body and patch to ensure proper function, then the device can perform accurate physiological monitoring, but the patient experiences discomfort and limited freedom of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a reusable main body unit and a disposable patch unit. The patch contains only the necessary sensing electrodes and adhesive substrate, while the main body contains the processing electronics. This segmentation allows the patch to be small and comfortable for the patient, while the main body can be larger but is not worn directly on the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulky components (main body with processing electronics, battery, and processing circuitry) are extracted from the wearable patch and placed in a separate unit that is not directly attached to the patient's body. Only the essential sensing elements remain in the patch, significantly reducing the burden on the patient.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the device is made impermeable to protect against water and humidity, then the device can be worn during showering and sweating, but the battery cannot be recharged or replaced easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patch is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use or when battery power is depleted. This eliminates the need for complex impermeable sealing and battery replacement mechanisms, as the entire unit is replaced rather than maintained. The main body remains reusable and can be properly sealed.
3Reliability
If the device uses customized non-standardized components, then the device can be optimized for specific applications, but the total cost increases and parts availability becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The main body unit is designed with universal interfaces and protocols that can work with different types of patches for various applications (ECG, EEG, EMG, etc.). The processing electronics and communication interfaces are standardized, allowing the same main body to support multiple sensing applications by simply changing the disposable patch.
4Ease of operation
If the device is attached very accurately to reduce discomfort, then the patient comfort improves, but the device requires medical personnel intervention and increases patient visits
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be easily applied and removed by the patient themselves without requiring medical personnel. The patch has simple adhesive application, and the magnetic coupling between patch and main body allows for easy attachment and detachment. This self-service capability eliminates the need for frequent medical visits for device adjustment or replacement.
5Duration of action of moving object
If the main body has electrical connection holes for battery recharging, then the battery can be recharged, but the device becomes permeable and requires complex sterilization procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is contained within a disposable patch that is discarded after use. This eliminates the need for rechargeable batteries and their associated connection holes in the wearable portion. The main body remains sealed and waterproof, requiring only simple wiping for cleaning rather than complex sterilization procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a solid body for a biomedical device, wearable by a patient and configured to acquire one or more physiological parameters of the patient. The solid body includes a first rigid portion, a second rigid portion and a connection portion of flexible type which couples the first and the second rigid portions to each other; and a control circuitry accommodated inside the first and/or the second rigid portions. The connection portion is interposed between the first and the second rigid portions, is integral therewith and is deformable so as to allow a relative movement of the first and the second rigid portions. The first and the second rigid portions are physically couplable to a first and to a second ECG electrode to couple the solid body to the torso of the patient. When the rigid portions are coupled to the ECG electrodes, the control circuitry is electrically coupled to the ECG electrodes and is configured to acquire, through the ECG electrodes, respective electrical signals indicative of said one or more physiological parameters.