Ultraviolet-Guided Electrode Placement for Portable ECG Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrocardiograph equipment is expensive and not widely available, making frequent cardiovascular monitoring challenging, especially in non-hospital settings, and accurate electrode placement for ECG measurements is difficult due to the need for precise positioning of multiple electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A portable ECG sensing device with two or three electrodes and a light-emitting mechanism, such as ultraviolet light, to guide accurate placement of electrodes based on invisible markings, allowing for the sensing of standard and augmented ECG leads using fewer electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ECG equipment with multiple electrodes is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of ECG measurement to only two or three critical electrodes, removing the complexity of traditional multi-electrode systems while maintaining measurement capability through selective placement at key anatomical positions
Solution Approach 2:
The simplified two or three-electrode configuration is designed to derive multiple ECG leads (including standard and augmented leads) from fewer physical electrodes, making the device universally capable of comprehensive cardiac monitoring without requiring multiple specialized electrodes
2Measurement precision
If conventional ECG equipment is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult electrode placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing pre-marked anatomical positions on the patient's body that indicate exactly where to place the two or three electrodes, eliminating the need for operators to calculate or determine placement locations and ensuring consistent accurate positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visible markings (such as colored dots or patterns) on the patient's skin to indicate electrode placement positions, making the invisible anatomical landmarks visible and easy to identify for operators of all skill levels
3Measurement precision
If conventional ECG equipment is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to complex setup procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-marked positions are prepared in advance on the patient's body, allowing electrodes to be placed immediately without time-consuming measurement or calculation procedures, thus reducing setup time while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
By reducing the number of electrodes from ten or more to just two or three, the patent dramatically reduces the time required for electrode placement and system setup, while extracting only the essential measurement functions needed for accurate ECG recording
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 accurate and cost-effective ECG measurements using fewer electrodes, facilitating widespread cardiovascular monitoring and reducing the complexity of electrode placement.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting mechanism, such as ultraviolet light, to guide accurate placement of electrodes based on invisible markings
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile electrocardiogram (ECG) device is described, comprising an electrode assembly comprising electrodes that sense heart-related signals when in contact with a body of a user, and produce electrical signals representing the sensed heart-related signals. The mobile ECG device further comprises a light-emitting device to facilitate an optimal placement of the electrode on the body of the user. The mobile ECG device further comprises a housing containing the electrode assembly, the converter assembly, the transmitter, and the light-emitting device. A first electrode of the electrode assembly forms a first side of the housing and comprises an opening through which the light-emitting device provides the UV light.