Flexible Film Sensor for ECG Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heart rate monitors face challenges in achieving high-quality electrocardiogram measurements due to the need for tight skin contact and adequate moisture, leading to user discomfort and increased malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system integrated into a garment using a flexible film structure with an insulation layer and electric conductor layers, allowing for decentralized placement of the transmitter unit and reducing the pressing sensation on the user's body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the transmitter belt is tightly placed around the chest to ensure high-quality electric contact, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible film structure as the transmitter belt, which combines flexibility with sufficient surface area to maintain effective electric contact without requiring tight placement. The flexible film can conform to the user's body contours while distributing the contact pressure over a larger area, reducing localized discomfort and enabling easier wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter belt is constructed as a composite structure comprising an insulating base layer and a conductive layer. This composite design allows the belt to maintain electrical conductivity for ECG measurement while the insulating base layer provides flexibility and comfort against the skin, resolving the contradiction between measurement quality and user comfort.
2Measurement precision
If adequate moisture is provided between the transmitter belt and skin to ensure tightness and positioning, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible film structure inherently provides the necessary moisture management through its material properties and surface characteristics, eliminating the need for separate moisture application systems. The film's flexibility allows it to conform to skin contours, maintaining consistent contact pressure and electrical conductivity without additional complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the transmitter belt is precisely positioned on the chest to ensure accurate measurement location, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible film's ability to conform to body contours enables automatic adaptation to the user's chest shape, maintaining precise positioning without requiring manual adjustment or rigid structural constraints. The flexibility allows the film to self-position and self-adjust to the correct measurement location.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter belt transitions from a rigid structure requiring static precise positioning to a flexible dynamic structure that automatically adapts to the user's body movements and contours, maintaining measurement accuracy while significantly improving ease of wear and positioning.
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 film structure enables reliable heart rate monitoring with minimal discomfort and allows for the decentralization of the transmitter unit, improving the ease of use and reducing malfunctions by maintaining effective skin contact without the need for tight fitting.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electric conductor layer formed on top of the first insulation layer and comprising an electrode area, which is configured to establish an electric contact with the surface of the user's skin and to generate as output an electric signal proportional to a momentary value of the electrocardiogram
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor system, a garment and a heart rate monitor. The sensor system comprises at least one flexible film structure comprising: a first insulation layer and at least one electric conductor layer formed on top of the first insulation layer and comprising an electrode area, which is configured to establish an electric contact with the surface of the user's skin and to generate as output an electric signal proportional to a momentary value of the electrocardiogram.