Hearing Aid ECG Electrodes for Self-Administered Cardiac Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved systems and methods to obtain electrocardiograms (ECGs) outside of a clinical setting, particularly for elderly patients using hearing aids, as current methods are infrequent and not readily accessible.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device system with integrated electrodes and a processor that allows users to perform ECG measurements by touching electrodes on the device or their body, processing the signals, and outputting the ECG on a display, enabling self-administered ECGs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ECG monitoring is performed only in clinical settings with trained clinicians, then measurement precision and reliability are maintained, but accessibility and frequency of monitoring are severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device enables users to perform self-administered ECG measurements without requiring trained clinicians. The device automatically guides the user through the measurement process and collects cardiac data independently, transforming ECG monitoring from a professional-only service to a self-service capability that can be performed anywhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing device integrates multiple functions including audio processing and ECG monitoring into a single device. The electrodes and processor already present in the hearing device are repurposed to perform cardiac monitoring, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment and enabling universal access to ECG functionality through existing hearing aids.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are integrated into the hearing device housing, then ECG measurement capability is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device integrates multiple functions including audio processing and ECG monitoring into a single device. The electrodes and processor already present in the hearing device are repurposed to perform cardiac monitoring, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment and enabling universal access to ECG functionality through existing hearing aids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the ECG measurement functionality with the existing hearing device structure. The electrodes are integrated into the housing, and the processor utilizes existing components for both audio and cardiac signal processing, merging two distinct medical functions into one unified device.
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
Provides convenient and reliable ECG monitoring for users, allowing detection of cardiac arrhythmias and abnormalities without requiring frequent clinical visits, especially beneficial for the elderly demographic.
Implementation Method 1
receive a potential measured by the plurality of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for obtaining electrocardiograms (ECGs) using hearing devices. Various aspects include a system for obtaining ECGs using hearing devices. The system includes a plurality of electrodes on or in a housing of a hearing device, and at least one processor configured to: provide instructions to a user to touch at least two of the plurality of electrodes, receive a potential measured by the plurality of electrodes, process the received potential to obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG) of the user, and output the ECG for the user on a display of a user device.