In-Ear ECG Monitoring via User-Touched Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electrocardiography (ECG) systems are not suitable for frequent monitoring in out-of-clinic settings, making it difficult to diagnose transient cardiac rhythm abnormalities that are often hard to capture in clinical environments.
Innovation Solution
An in-ear device with in-ear electrodes and an out-of-ear electrode that captures electrical signals from the user's heartbeat, allowing for the generation of ECG data by a processor, enabling ECG monitoring in non-clinical settings through a wearable and user-initiated measurement process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ECG monitoring systems with multiple electrodes are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential ECG measurement function from the complex multi-electrode system and implements it using only two electrodes (in-ear and out-of-ear). This extraction principle allows the system to maintain measurement precision while dramatically reducing device complexity by eliminating unnecessary electrodes and simplifying the measurement configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the user's finger touching the out-of-ear electrode) to complete the electrical circuit for ECG measurement. This intermediary approach allows the system to achieve accurate ECG signals without requiring multiple dedicated electrodes, as the user's body serves as part of the measurement pathway.
2Measurement precision
If traditional ECG systems with multiple electrodes are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential ECG measurement function from the complex multi-electrode system and implements it using only two electrodes (in-ear and out-of-ear). This extraction principle allows the system to maintain measurement precision while dramatically reducing device complexity by eliminating unnecessary electrodes and simplifying the measurement configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by allowing the user's own finger to serve as the completion for the electrical circuit. The user simply touches the out-of-ear electrode with their finger, and the system automatically captures the ECG signal. This eliminates the need for operators to perform complex electrode placement procedures.
3Reliability
If frequent monitoring in out-of-clinic settings is enabled, then reliability of cardiac abnormality detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential ECG measurement function from the complex multi-electrode system and implements it using only two electrodes (in-ear and out-of-ear). This extraction principle allows the system to maintain measurement precision while dramatically reducing device complexity by eliminating unnecessary electrodes and simplifying the measurement configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal monitoring solution that can be used in both clinical and out-of-clinic settings. The simplified two-electrode design maintains sufficient measurement precision for detecting cardiac abnormalities while enabling frequent use in diverse environments, making the system universally applicable across different monitoring scenarios.
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
Facilitates the capture of clear ECG signals and increases the chances of detecting transient cardiac abnormalities, allowing for immediate monitoring and diagnosis outside clinical settings.
Implementation Method 1
The in-ear device includes in-ear electrodes configured to capture electrical signals corresponding to electrical pulses of a user's heartbeat from within an ear canal of the user
Implementation Method 2
The processor is further configured to generate electrocardiogram (ECG) data based upon the captured electrical signals (e.g., based on a voltage difference between the electrical signal captured at the at least one in-ear electrode and the electrical signal captured at the out-of-ear electrode)
Data Source
AI summary
A system provides ECG monitoring for a user. The system includes an in-ear device and processor. The in-ear device includes in-ear electrodes that capture electrical signals of the pulses of the heartbeat of the user from within the user's ear canal, and an out-of-ear electrode that does not contact any surface of the user's ear or ear canal, and captures electrical signals of pulses of the heartbeat of the user from a fingertip of the user when the user contacts the out-of-ear electrode with their fingertip. The processor generates ECG data using captured electrical signals responsive to a determination that the user has positioned a finger to touch the out-of-ear electrode on the in-ear device. This configuration allows the out-of-ear electrode to, when touched by the user's fingertip, effectively function as an arm electrode, allowing for ECG data to be measured from two different angles, through a path that passes through the user's heart.