Portable Electrocardiograph Triggered by Proximity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable electrocardiographs are bulky and heavy due to large batteries required for long-term measurements, causing discomfort for subjects wearing them.
Innovation Solution
A portable electrocardiograph system that uses a portable device with short-range wireless communication to initiate data recording only when the device is brought close, allowing for battery downsizing or omission and reducing weight, while minimizing noise interference and maintaining data accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a large battery is installed to enable long-term measurements, then the measurement duration is extended, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrocardiograph operates in periodic cycles: recording electrocardiogram data when triggered by the portable device, then entering standby mode. This intermittent operation pattern allows the battery to be downsized since continuous long-term power supply is not required, thus resolving the contradiction between extended measurement duration and reduced device weight
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for extended monitoring by using a small battery to maintain standby readiness, with the understanding that actual recording will occur in periodic bursts triggered externally. This preliminary preparation allows the device to be lightweight while still capable of long-term monitoring coverage
2Ease of operation
If the electrocardiograph is made smaller and lighter, then the comfort for the subject is improved, but the battery capacity must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device acts as an intermediary that triggers the electrocardiograph for recording. This external trigger mechanism allows the electrocardiograph to use a small battery for brief recording sessions while still achieving effective long-term monitoring through multiple triggered events, thus maintaining subject comfort without sacrificing monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic triggered recording sessions instead of continuous operation. The small battery in the lightweight device suffices for these intermittent recording periods, allowing the device to be comfortable for the subject while maintaining effective monitoring through repeated short-term recording cycles
3Productivity
If recording is started immediately upon wearing the device, then no recording opportunity is lost, but noise such as electromyographic information may be mixed into the data
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodes are pre-positioned and the device is prepared in advance, but recording is triggered only when needed. This preliminary preparation combined with selective triggering ensures that recording starts at the appropriate moment without capturing unnecessary noise, thus maintaining both recording efficiency and data accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the portable device (which detects when the subject experiences symptoms) to trigger recording. This feedback mechanism ensures recording occurs at clinically relevant moments rather than continuously, improving data accuracy by avoiding noise while maintaining recording efficiency through targeted capture
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electrocardiograph includes: a recording section configured to record data corresponding to electrocardiogram of a subject; a detecting section configured to detect approach of a portable device having a function to perform short-range wireless communication; and a control section configured to start recording of the data in the recording section in a case where it is satisfied a start condition including a fact that the approach of the device is detected by the detecting section.