Wearable ECG Patch Layout for Long-Term Adhesion and P-Wave Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ECG monitoring technologies are cumbersome, costly, and impractical for long-term ambulatory use, often leading to dislodgment and skin irritation, and fail to capture sporadic cardiac events due to limited adherence and environmental factors, with conventional systems being unsuitable for extended wear and integration with daily activities.
Innovation Solution
A flexible extended wear electrode patch with a reusable monitor recorder, designed for central chest placement, allowing relocation and wireless integration with other sensors, and featuring a unique hourglass shape to minimize skin contact issues and enhance signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional ECG monitoring systems are used for long-term ambulatory monitoring, then monitoring duration can be extended, but the systems become cumbersome, costly, and impractical leading to dislodgment and skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The ECG monitoring system is divided into separate functional modules: reusable monitor recorder, disposable electrode patch, and wireless transceiver. This segmentation allows the bulky electronics to be minimized in the wearable patch while maintaining long-term monitoring capability through the reusable recorder component.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode patch is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use (typically 14-30 days). This eliminates the need for cleaning and sterilization, reduces skin irritation from repeated adhesive application, and allows patients to wear the device comfortably for extended periods without concern for maintenance.
2Duration of action of moving object
If conventional ECG electrodes are worn for extended periods, then long-term monitoring is achieved, but skin irritation and dislodgment occur due to adhesive failure and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode patch is designed as a single-use disposable device that maintains reliable adhesive bonding throughout its intended wear period (14-30 days). After use, the entire patch is discarded rather than reused, eliminating cumulative skin irritation while ensuring each new patch starts with full adhesive integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive properties and materials of the electrode patch are optimized for extended wear duration, with formulations designed to maintain reliable skin adhesion through variations in temperature, humidity, and physical activity over 14-30 days. The patch dimensions and adhesive surface area are specifically engineered to balance signal quality with adherence reliability during extended wear.
3Measurement precision
If ECG monitoring is performed in-clinic with standardized 12-lead configuration, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but the system becomes cumbersome and limited to spot recordings only
Solution Approach 1:
The complete ECG monitoring system is segmented into a simplified wearable patch containing minimal electronics and a separate reusable monitor recorder. This allows the patch to be small and comfortable for ambulatory wear while the recorder provides the processing and storage capabilities needed for diagnostic-quality recordings.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex wired connections and mechanical lead placement of traditional 12-lead ECG systems are replaced with wireless electronic signal transmission. The patch uses flexible printed circuit boards and wireless transceivers to transmit ECG signals without physical cables, dramatically simplifying the wearable portion while maintaining diagnostic capability through the recorder.
4Device complexity
If reusable monitor recorder is combined with disposable electrode patch, then cost and complexity are reduced, but integration with other physiological sensors is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The reusable monitor recorder is designed as a universal platform that can interface with multiple types of physiological sensors beyond just ECG electrodes. The system architecture supports integration with additional sensors for comprehensive physiological monitoring, making the base unit adaptable to various monitoring needs while keeping the disposable patch simple.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided. A strip has first and second end sections, and a first surface and second surface. Two electrocardiographic electrodes are provided on the strip with one of the electrocardiographic electrodes provided on the first surface of the first end section of the strip and another of the electrocardiographic electrodes positioned on the first surface on the second end section of the strip. A flexible circuit is mounted to the second surface of the strip and includes a circuit trace electrically coupled to each of the electrocardiographic electrodes. A wireless transceiver is affixed on one of the first or second end sections, and a battery is positioned on one of the first or second end sections. A processor is positioned on one of the first or second end sections and is housed separate from the battery.