Resistive Textile ECG Sensor Array with Dynamic Pair Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ECG sensors, both wearable and non-wearable, face challenges in achieving high-quality signal recording due to limited skin contact, skin preparation requirements, and inability to continuously measure from multiple body locations, leading to suboptimal resolution and potential skin allergies.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sensor textile-based ECG system with conductive fibers integrated into a fabric layer, allowing for dynamic selection of sensor pairs to maintain optimal skin contact and improve signal quality, enabling continuous measurement from various body locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gel electrodes are used to record ECG signals, then signal quality is improved, but skin preparation and firm attachment are required which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the electrode from gel-based to textile-based with conductive fibers. The textile electrode maintains acceptable signal quality while eliminating the need for skin preparation and firm adhesive attachment, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials combining textile fibers with conductive elements (such as silver-coated fibers or conductive polymer coatings) to create an electrode that integrates both mechanical flexibility and electrical conductivity. This composite structure allows the electrode to maintain good signal quality while being comfortable and easy to wear without requiring skin preparation
2Ease of operation
If textile-based electrodes are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to intermittent skin contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large electrode into multiple smaller textile-based sensors distributed across the measurement area. This segmentation allows the system to capture ECG signals from multiple locations simultaneously, compensating for intermittent contact at any single point and maintaining overall measurement precision while preserving the ease of operation of textile materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic selection of sensor pairs from the multiple textile sensors, adapting the active measurement configuration based on real-time contact quality. This dynamic approach ensures that the system continuously uses the best available sensor combinations, maintaining measurement precision despite the flexible, intermittent nature of textile-skin contact
3Measurement precision
If multiple textile sensors are used, then measurement precision is improved through multiple body locations, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple textile sensors and their associated conductive traces into a single integrated textile substrate. This unified structure reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate mounting and wiring of individual sensors, while still enabling high-resolution ECG measurement from multiple body locations through the integrated sensor array
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 system provides high-quality ECG signal recording with reduced skin preparation, biocompatibility, and continuous monitoring capabilities, overcoming limitations of traditional electrodes.
Implementation Method 1
the each of the plurality of textile-based sensors including conductive fibres interlaced with one another
Implementation Method 2
the substrate of a non-conducting material; and the second side covering one side of the each of the plurality of textile-based sensors as an insulating covering
Data Source
AI summary
An ECG sensor system comprising: a substrate having a first side and a second side, the substrate of a non-conducting material; a plurality of textile-based sensors positioned on the first side, each of the plurality of textile-based sensors spaced apart from one another on the first side, the second side covering one side of the each of the plurality of textile-based sensors as an insulating covering, the each of the plurality of textile-based sensors including conductive fibres interlaced with one another; and a conductive trace connected to the each of the plurality of textile-based sensors, each of the conductive traces for connecting the plurality of textile-based sensors to an electronic controller for sending and receiving electronic signals from a selected pair of the plurality of textile-based sensors.