Multi-Sensor Electrode for Directional Biopotential Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ECG measurement systems rely on multiple electrodes with individual conductors, restricting patient mobility and requiring a common voltage reference, which limits wireless transmission and provides limited information on the direction of electrical biopotentials.
Innovation Solution
A disposable electrode set with at least three sensors arranged to define two linearly independent directions, allowing wireless transmission of potential differences and enabling estimation of electrical potentials as vector values, including direction, using pairs of sensors to measure differential and full potential signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes with individual conductors are used for ECG measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but patient mobility is restricted and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (at least three sensors) into a single integrated electrode assembly. This merging approach maintains the capability to measure multiple potential differences simultaneously while eliminating the need for separate conductors for each sensor, thereby improving patient mobility without sacrificing measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can measure potential differences in at least two linearly independent directions simultaneously, providing comprehensive ECG information from a single device. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate electrodes and conductors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes with individual conductors are used for ECG measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions into a single electrode assembly with integrated sensors. Instead of requiring separate conductors connecting individual electrodes to the measuring apparatus, the invention uses a unified structure where multiple sensors are electrically connected within the same electrode, significantly reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is segmented into multiple sensors arranged in specific spatial configurations (defining linearly independent directions), allowing simultaneous measurement of potential differences in multiple directions. This segmentation enables comprehensive measurement capability while maintaining a single integrated structure rather than multiple separate components.
3Loss of information
If traditional electrode arrangements are used, then standard ECG leads can be measured, but directional information of electrical biopotentials is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends traditional single-direction ECG measurement by arranging sensors to detect potential differences in at least two linearly independent directions simultaneously. This dimensional extension provides comprehensive spatial information about the electrical biopotentials, capturing directional characteristics that would be lost with traditional single-lead arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor within the electrode assembly is positioned with specific local characteristics to detect potential differences along particular directions. The sensors are arranged to define linearly independent directions, giving each sensor a specialized local measurement function that contributes to the overall directional information captured by the electrode.
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
Enables more detailed and mobile ECG signal measurement without the need for a common voltage reference, providing accurate directional information and improving patient mobility by using wireless transmission and vector-based potential estimation.
Implementation Method 1
Each sensor on each electrode senses the electrical potential at a relatively small area—typically a few mm in diameter—on the skin immediately below the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A set of electrodes suitable for being attached to the skin of an animal or human being at locations normally used for attaching single-lead electrodes with a single sensor point. The electrodes of the set of electrodes have at least three sensors arranged to define two linearly independent directions, which allows sensing corresponding electrical potential differences in the two directions. Signals representing sensed potential differences can be transmitted wirelessly or via conductors to a processing apparatus for being transformed into electrical potentials that approximate traditional potentials obtained with wired single-sensor electrodes. A method is also presented.