Wearable ECG Electrode with Adhesive Membrane
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body-worn monitoring devices for physiological conditions, such as ECG, are bulky, cumbersome, and interfere with user motion due to cables and require surgical intervention, while lacking waterproof capabilities and causing skin irritation during bathing or swimming.
Innovation Solution
A compact, lightweight, non-invasive wearable device with a unified system of electrodes and an electronics module covered by a single adhesive membrane, including a wireless transmitter for alarm status communication, allowing for adhesion to the body without interfering with motion and providing local alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a Holter monitor is used for continuous ECG monitoring, then monitoring duration is extended to 24-48 hours, but the device becomes bulky and interferes with user motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ECG electrodes, amplifier, and storage device into a single integrated unit that can be worn on the body. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and connecting cables, resolving the contradiction by enabling continuous monitoring without the bulkiness of traditional Holter monitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device serves multiple functions: it acts as both the ECG electrode interface and the signal amplification/storage system. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining extended monitoring capability.
2Reliability
If cable-connected electrodes are used for ECG monitoring, then signal transmission is achieved, but cable movement causes electrode/skin interface disturbance and monitoring artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the cables from the system by integrating the amplifier directly with the electrodes in a wearable unit. This removal of the harmful cable component prevents interface disturbance while maintaining reliable signal transmission through direct electrical connection.
3Duration of action of moving object
If adhesive electrodes are worn for extended periods, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but skin irritation occurs during bathing or swimming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible adhesive membrane that conforms to the body surface and remains effective during water exposure. This thin film structure provides continuous monitoring while preventing skin irritation by creating a protective barrier during bathing or swimming activities.
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable compact, lightweight, noninvasive, wearable “unified” device or system (10), that does not compromise a user's motion and flexibility, detects, processes, analyzes and reports predetermined physical states of a human body. The system includes at least one pair of sense electrodes (14) and one reference electrode (16), each configured to be adhesively attached to a surface of the body (30). An electronics module (12) is in electrical communication with each of the electrodes, includes a power source, and processes and analyzes signals provided by the electrodes. The plurality of electrodes and the electronics module are covered by a single adhesive membrane (20) that enables the wearable device to adhere to the surface of the body.