Wearable ECG Gloves for Portable 12-Lead Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrocardiogram devices are cumbersome, costly, and difficult to use outside hospital settings due to the need for multiple electrodes and complex equipment, limiting their portability and ability to perform detailed cardiac analyses in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A user-wearable diagnostic device comprising gloves with a limited number of electrodes that detect three cardiac signals, utilizing the EASI method to obtain a twelve-lead electrocardiogram, allowing for simplified and rapid electrode placement and processing of cardiac signals using a miniaturized electronic unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional hospital electrocardiogram devices are used, then detailed twelve-lead electrocardiogram can be obtained, but the devices are cumbersome, costly, and lack portability
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the electrode placement system into wearable components (gloves or vests) that can be separately donned and doffed, allowing the main processing unit to remain portable while distributing electrode contacts across body-worn elements. This segmentation enables detailed 12-lead ECG acquisition without requiring a cumbersome centralized hospital device.
2Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes are used for detailed electrocardiogram, then comprehensive cardiac analysis is achieved, but electrode placement becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode contacts are pre-positioned on wearable components (gloves or vests) according to the standard 12-lead ECG configuration. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for operators to manually calculate and place each electrode during patient assessment, reducing placement complexity while maintaining comprehensive cardiac analysis capability.
3Measurement precision
If ten electrodes are placed for twelve-lead electrocardiogram, then complete cardiac pathology detection is possible, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical hospital ECG machines with a portable electronic unit that processes signals from the wearable electrode array. This substitution dramatically reduces device weight while maintaining complete 12-lead pathology detection capability through modern signal processing and miniaturized electronics.
4Measurement precision
If traditional electrocardiogram machines are used, then accurate cardiac diagnosis is obtained, but the cost of equipment and operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable or reusable wearable electrode components (gloves or vests) that can be easily manufactured and replaced. This approach reduces the cost burden compared to traditional hospital ECG machines while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through adequate signal quality from the wearable electrode 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
Enables the acquisition of a detailed twelve-lead electrocardiogram in non-hospital settings with ease, portability, and flexibility, facilitating quick and accurate cardiac analysis even in emergency conditions without the need for extensive training or equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a first glove, or right glove, and a second glove, or left glove... which comprise a plurality of electrodes configured to detect at least three cardiac signals
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic device for acquiring a twelve-lead electrocardiogram of a patient is provided. The diagnostic device has a first glove, or right glove, and a second glove, or left glove, configured to be worn in the hands of a user and intended, in use, to be placed at a portion of a patient's chest to acquire an electrocardiogram of the patient. The first glove, or right glove, and the second glove, or left glove, have a plurality of electrodes configured to detect at least three cardiac signals, corresponding to three cardiac leads. The diagnostic device also includes an electronic unit configured to receive and process said at least three cardiac signals to obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram.