Flexible Electrode Sheet for Accurate Non-Contact ECG Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological information acquisition systems, such as those described in Non-Patent Literature 1, struggle with inaccuracies in electrocardiogram waveform acquisition due to the use of hard boards with electrodes that do not conform to the uneven body surface.
Innovation Solution
A flexible electrode sheet with multiple electrodes arranged in an array, an electrode selector that chooses electrodes based on electric parameters, and a biological information acquirer that acquires data without direct contact, utilizing capacitive coupling with the body through an insulator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a hard board with electrodes is used for biological information acquisition, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the measurement precision deteriorates because the electrodes cannot conform to the uneven body surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by replacing the hard board with a flexible electrode sheet that can conform to the uneven body surface. The sheet includes multiple electrodes arranged in an array on a flexible substrate, allowing it to adapt to curved surfaces while maintaining electrode functionality for accurate biological signal acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the electrode sheet flexible and adaptable rather than rigid. The sheet can dynamically conform to different body surfaces and positions, enabling accurate measurement regardless of the body's shape or movement, thus improving measurement precision without excessive structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrodes are arranged in a fixed array on a hard board, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability deteriorates because the electrodes cannot adjust to uneven body surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible electrode sheet serves as a thin film that can adapt to uneven body surfaces. The sheet's flexibility allows it to conform to various body contours while maintaining the electrode array configuration, thereby improving adaptability without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the electrode support from rigid to flexible. This parameter change allows the electrode array to adapt its shape and conform to body surfaces, enhancing versatility while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple and manageable.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If capacitive coupling with insulator is used for non-contact measurement, then the invasiveness is reduced and comfort is improved, but the measurement precision may deteriorate due to signal attenuation through the insulator
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator acts as an intermediary layer between the electrode and the body, enabling non-contact measurement. This mediator allows electrical signal transmission through capacitive coupling while maintaining physical separation, thus reducing invasiveness and improving comfort while preserving sufficient measurement precision for electrocardiogram acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact between electrodes and skin with capacitive coupling through an insulator. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact, reducing invasiveness and discomfort, while the capacitive coupling mechanism maintains adequate signal transmission for accurate biological information acquisition.
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 flexible electrode sheet allows for accurate acquisition of biological information by conforming to the body's surface, ensuring stable capacitance and reducing invasiveness, thereby improving electrocardiogram waveform accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
A biological information acquisition system that acquires a biological signal from a biological body with capacitively-coupled electrodes in a state in which an insulator is interposed between the electrodes and the biological body
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a biological information acquisition system capable of acquiring an electric parameter and biological information that are more accurate. A biological information acquisition system 200 includes a flexible electrode sheet 100 having multiple electrodes 30 arranged in an array, an electrode selector that acquires an electric parameter from the multiple electrodes 30 in a state in which the electrode sheet 100 is arranged along a biological body 300 such that the multiple electrodes 30 do not contact the biological body 300 to select the electrodes 30 to be used for acquisition of biological information based on the acquired electric parameter, and a biological information acquirer that acquires the biological information from the electrodes 30 selected by the electrode selector in a state in which the electrode sheet 100 is arranged along the biological body 300 such that the multiple electrodes 30 do not contact the biological body 300.