Removable Electrode Supports for Flexible ECG Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrode systems for electrocardiographic examinations are time-consuming to install, restrictive in electrode placement, and prone to electrode detachment due to elastic return actions, with the need for extensive conductor cables that hinder patient mobility and are costly to produce.

Innovation Solution

An electrode system with removable and separable supports that keep electrodes close before use, allowing for easy storage and flexible positioning on the body, eliminating the need for a patient cable by using a portable ECG device directly connected to the electrode system, featuring disposable adhesive electrodes and serpentine connector cables for space-saving and secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If disposable adhesive electrodes are used with removable supports for flexible positioning, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases due to separable components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode placement flexibilityVSAvoidseparable support structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode system is divided into separable components: electrodes, supports, and connector cables. Each electrode can be independently removed from its support and repositioned, allowing flexible adaptation to different body locations while maintaining electrical connection through the cable system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. Electrodes can be moved from initial positions on the support to optimal positions on the patient's body, and the support itself can be folded or collapsed for compact storage and transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If extensive conductor cables are used to connect each electrode, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but patient mobility is restricted and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidpatient mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector cables are designed as flexible, thin conduits that can be routed along the patient's body without restricting movement. The cables maintain electrical connection while accommodating patient mobility through their flexible construction and strategic routing paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Volume of moving object

If electrodes are kept close together on supports for compact storage, then device portability is improved, but electrode placement flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage footprintVSAvoidelectrode positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structures are designed to fold or collapse into compact configurations for storage and transport. When deployed, the supports can be expanded and reconfigured to accommodate electrodes in various positions on the patient's body, transitioning from a compact nested state to an expanded functional state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4046573B1Electrode system for multiple acquisition of electrocardiographic derivations
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 PRAXE SRL
  • EP4046573B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4046573B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4046573B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An electrode system (100, 200, 300) for the multiple acquisition of electrocardiographic derivations comprising a plurality of electrodes (2) of disposable type, an electrical connection terminal (1), a plurality of connector cables (3) connecting each electrode (2) to the electrical connection terminal (1), and a plurality of supports (4) connecting said electrodes (2) and supporting at least one connector cable (3) that is rolled or bent in serpentine configuration; the peculiarity of the system is that each support (4) is of removable or separable type, in such a way that once the support (4) is removed or separated, the two electrodes (2) connected to the support (4) can be moved away from each other and the connector cable (3) can be unrolled to use the system (100, 200, 300).