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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ECG electrodes are uncomfortable and prone to mispositioning and noise artifacts when used for long-term cardiac monitoring, leading to poor patient compliance and unreliable data.
Innovation Solution
Development of polymer-based ECG sensing electrodes formed by applying conductive polymer fluid to base fibers, integrated into a smart garment, which are flexible, conformable, and maintain consistent skin contact, allowing for continuous monitoring and defibrillation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If traditional ECG electrodes are used for long-term cardiac monitoring, then continuous monitoring capability is achieved, but patient comfort deteriorates and electrode mispositioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible polymer-based electrodes integrated into a garment structure, replacing traditional rigid adhesive electrodes. The garment material itself serves as the flexible substrate, allowing the electrodes to move with the patient's body without causing discomfort or skin irritation during long-term wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite polymer materials that combine conductive properties with flexible garment material. The electrodes are formed from conductive polymer coatings on flexible substrates, creating a composite structure that maintains electrical conductivity while providing the flexibility and comfort needed for extended wear.
2Duration of action of moving object
If traditional ECG electrodes are used for long-term monitoring, then continuous data collection is enabled, but noise artifacts increase due to mispositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ECG monitoring system into multiple discrete electrode contacts distributed across the garment. This segmentation allows each electrode to maintain independent optimal contact with the skin, reducing the impact of movement on any single measurement point and minimizing noise artifacts in the collected data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic electrode system where the flexible polymer electrodes move with the patient's body rather than remaining fixed. This dynamic adaptation maintains consistent skin contact and electrical connection quality throughout the monitoring period, preventing the signal degradation and noise that occur with static electrodes during movement.
3Ease of operation
If polymer-based electrodes are applied to base fibers, then electrode flexibility and conformability improve, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrode fabrication process with the garment manufacturing process. The conductive polymer coating is applied directly to the base fibers during fabric production, and the electrodes are formed by assembling these pre-coated fibers into the final garment structure, eliminating separate electrode manufacturing and integration steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs self-assembling processes where the conductive polymer-coated fibers automatically form functional electrodes when assembled into the garment structure. The fibers themselves serve as both the structural element and the conductive element, eliminating the need for separate electrode components and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
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 polymer-based electrodes enhance patient comfort and compliance, reducing mispositioning and noise, thereby improving ECG data quality and enabling effective cardiac monitoring and defibrillation.
Implementation Method 1
One or more plurality of polymer-based ECG sensing electrodes is formed by applying a conductive polymer fluid to each of a plurality of base fibers to form a plurality of individually conductive polymer coated fibers
Data Source
AI summary
A non-invasive, wearable, ambulatory device capable of cardiac defibrillation includes a smart garment to be worn by a patient. The device also includes a plurality of therapeutic electrodes configured to be removably attached to the garment. A plurality of polymer-based ECG sensing electrodes are configured to provide ECG signals based on skin electrical activity of the patient wearing the smart garment. Polymer-based ECG sensing electrodes are formed by applying a conductive polymer fluid to each of a plurality of base fibers to form a plurality of individually conductive polymer coated fibers. The base fibers are single fibers and/or multi-fibers. The plurality of individually conductive polymer coated fibers are assembled into the one or more plurality of polymer-based ECG sensing electrodes. A controller is configured to receive the ECG signals, determine at least one arrhythmia episode based on the received ECG signals, and to cause a defibrillation shock.