Modular Pendant Patch System for Wearable ECG Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ECG monitoring systems are uncomfortable, prone to errors, and lack seamless interchangeability between different monitoring types, leading to patient discomfort and limited simultaneous monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A wearable physiological signal monitoring system comprising a pendant with a system-on-a-chip and a patch with flexible electrodes, allowing for wireless communication and interchangeable components to monitor various physiological parameters such as ECG, EMG, and other signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ECG monitoring systems use traditional electrode placement with adhesive and wires, then ECG signal monitoring capability is achieved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to skin irritation, pain during removal, and restriction of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into separate modular components: a reusable pendant unit and disposable electrode patches. This segmentation allows the uncomfortable adhesive electrodes to be disposable while the expensive electronic components are reusable, resolving the contradiction between monitoring reliability and patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode patches are designed as disposable single-use components that are discarded after a monitoring period (typically 24-48 hours). This eliminates skin irritation from prolonged adhesive exposure and removes the need for painful removal, while maintaining reliable ECG signal acquisition during the wear period.
2Reliability
If conventional monitoring systems use fixed electrode configurations, then ECG monitoring is achieved, but adaptability to different monitoring types (EMG, EEG, etc.) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pendant unit is designed as a universal platform that can interface with multiple types of physiological sensors through standardized connections. Different electrode patches or sensor modules can be attached to the same pendant, enabling it to perform ECG, EMG, EEG, and other physiological monitoring functions, thus achieving multi-functionality while maintaining reliable ECG capability.
3Reliability
If conventional systems use wired connections between electrodes and amplifiers, then signal transmission is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to wire management and risk of electrode dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical wire connections between electrodes and amplifiers are replaced with wireless communication technology. The electrode patches contain embedded sensors that transmit physiological signals wirelessly to the pendant unit, eliminating the need for physical wire connections and improving patient comfort and ease of operation while maintaining reliable signal transmission.
Data Source
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AI summary
A physiological signal monitoring system comprising a pendant and a patch. The pendant includes a system on a chip (SoC) having a data store and a processor. The patch includes a cradle and electrodes mechanically and electrically connected with a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). When removably coupled with the cradle of the patch, the pendant receives from the electrodes electrical signals from a patient's heart and either stores the signals to the data store or transmits the signals to a remote computing device. A single channel patch configuration includes two electrodes positioned at least 8.0 centimeters (CM) apart. A two channel patch configuration employs three electrodes similarly spaced. Removable auxiliary components may connect to the pendant's device interfaces, each configured to receive physiological input such as electromyogram (EMG), electroencephalogram (EEG), body temperature, heart rate, pedometer, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate, posture/body orientation, and sleep monitoring.