Rotatable Flexible Electrodes for Wearable ECG Signal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable medical devices with electrodes for ECG monitoring are uncomfortable due to limited elasticity, causing signal noise from body movements such as stretching and breathing, and often result in poor signal quality and discomfort during activities like walking or running.
Innovation Solution
A portable wearable medical device with two electrodes featuring rotatable and flexible arms that adjust distance and are electrically insulated, reducing signal noise by accommodating movement and improving contact stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive sheets are used to fix electrodes to the body, then electrode attachment is achieved, but body movement causes discomfort and signal noise
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly incorporates a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) that can dynamically adapt its shape and position on the body surface. The FPC includes bending sections that allow the electrodes to move with body contours during breathing and movement, maintaining reliable contact without causing discomfort or signal noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible printed circuit board as the substrate for mounting electrodes. This thin, flexible film conformally adheres to the body surface and can accommodate physiological movements such as breathing and skin expansion, ensuring continuous stable contact while allowing natural body motion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid electrode assemblies are used, then structural stability is achieved, but movement causes discomfort and signal noise
Solution Approach 1:
The FPC incorporates bending sections with specific flexural rigidities that allow controlled deformation during body movement. These sections enable the electrode assembly to dynamically adjust its configuration, maintaining stable electrode positions relative to the body surface while absorbing movement-induced stresses that would otherwise generate signal noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies the flexural rigidity parameters of different sections of the FPC. The bending sections have lower flexural rigidity to accommodate movement, while other sections maintain higher rigidity for structural stability. This parameter variation allows the assembly to balance position stability with movement compliance.
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 device significantly enhances signal-to-noise ratio and user comfort by minimizing noise from mechanical stress and movement, providing a more stable and defined ECG waveform with reduced high-frequency interference.
Implementation Method 1
each electrode comprises a base which has an adhesive surface for adhering and electrically contacting to a medical subject
Implementation Method 2
the arm is both, rotatably attached about the respective base and about the respective electrode attachment of the main body such that the distance between the two electrode bases is variable
Implementation Method 3
said arm is flexible
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a portable wearable medical device (1) with two electrode connection points for simultaneous corporal attachment of two electrodes (2) for biosignal collection, in particular for electrocardiogram, ECG or EKG, monitoring.