Radiolucent Electrode Patch for ECG Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrode configurations for biometric parameter monitoring, such as ECG, are cumbersome, difficult to position accurately, and can cause skin irritation, limiting their use in emergency situations and long-term applications due to the bulk of electrodes, cables, and adhesives, which often lead to inaccurate measurements and detachment issues.
Innovation Solution
An electrode patch with an elastic adhesive layer and conductive layer that is radiolucent, allowing for easy attachment and accurate positioning, featuring a high percentage of radiolucency to avoid interference with medical imaging, and a design that includes multiple electrodes integrated within a single, cable-free patch for improved comfort and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional electrodes with cables and connector clips are used, then multiple measurement points can be achieved, but the device becomes bulky and disturbs the user's freedom of movement
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate electrodes and cables are merged into a single integrated electrode patch that can be applied to the skin as one unit, eliminating the need for separate cables and connector clips while maintaining multiple measurement points
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode patch serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides multiple measurement points, adheres to the skin, and eliminates the need for separate cabling, making it a universal solution for multi-point biometric monitoring
2Reliability
If strong adhesives are used to secure electrodes, then electrodes stay attached to skin, but skin irritations, rashes and allergies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive strength and composition parameters are optimized to provide sufficient attachment stability while remaining gentle on the skin, preventing irritations and allergies that occur with stronger adhesives
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode patch uses composite material structures that combine conductive elements with skin-friendly adhesive layers, achieving both reliable attachment and biocompatibility
3Measurement precision
If electrodes are placed in predetermined positions according to medical protocols, then accurate biometric measurements are obtained, but the positioning process is time-consuming and requires well-trained medical staff
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode patch is pre-configured with measurement points and conductive paths in predetermined positions that correspond to standard medical protocols, eliminating the need for manual positioning during application
Solution Approach 2:
The patch design allows for self-positioning through its integrated structure, reducing dependence on well-trained medical staff for precise electrode placement while maintaining measurement accuracy
4Loss of information
If conventional electrodes with cables are used, then measurements can be transmitted to monitoring systems, but cables can pull electrodes off and lead to detachment during long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The cables and connector clips are extracted from the electrode system and replaced with an integrated wireless or flexible conductive path design that is embedded in the patch, eliminating the mechanical pulling force that causes detachment
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode patch uses flexible thin film structures for signal transmission that move with the skin, preventing the rigid cable-pulling effect that leads to electrode detachment during long-term use
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
The electrode patch enables quick, accurate, and comfortable biometric parameter monitoring, reducing skin irritation and improving measurement reliability, while allowing for use during medical procedures like X-ray and MRI without obscuring images, and facilitating faster positioning even in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic adhesive layer (12) having an adhesive contact surface (14) that is configured to adhere to the skin of the subject
Implementation Method 2
an elastic conductive layer (26) including a plurality of measurement points (26A) and conductive paths (26B), the conductive paths being configured to conductively connect the plurality of measurement points to a connector (32)
Implementation Method 3
Each recess extends through the entire layer thickness of the adhesive layer and is provided or providable with a substance that is adhesive and conductive, such as hydrogel, so as to conductively connect the one of the plurality of measurement points to the skin of the subject
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrode patch (10, 10'), in particular for performing electrocardiography. The electrode patch (10, 10') comprises an elastic adhesive layer (12, 12') having an adhesive contact surface (14, 14') that is configured to adhere to the skin of a subject the electrode patch (10, 10') is applied to; an elastic conductive layer (26, 26') including a plurality of measurement points (26 A) and conductive paths (26B), the conductive paths (26B) being configured to conductively connect the plurality of measurement points (26 A) to a connector (32); and a plurality of electrodes, wherein each of the plurality of electrodes is formed at least by one of the plurality of measurement points (26 A) and a corresponding recess (28) provided in the adhesive layer (12, 12'), which recess (28) extends through the entire layer thickness of the adhesive layer (12, 12') and is provided or providable with a substance (30, 30') that is adhesive and conductive, such as hydrogel, so as to conductively connect the one of the plurality of measurement points (26 A) to the skin of the subject. At least 90% of the area of the electrode patch (10, 10') is radiolucent by means of radiolucency of the adhesive layer (12, 12') and the conductive layer (26, 26').