Wearable ECG System Using Three Dry Electrodes for Arrhythmia Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrocardiogram measurement devices face challenges in providing accurate, portable, and user-friendly solutions for continuous heart condition monitoring, particularly in removing power line interference without using a driven right leg (DRL) electrode, and in diagnosing intermittent arrhythmia symptoms like atrial fibrillation.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a photoplethysmograph that detects arrhythmia using photoplethysmogram parameters and generates an alarm, coupled with an electrocardiograph that uses three dry electrodes and two amplifiers to simultaneously measure two electrocardiogram signals, allowing for wireless communication and battery operation, thereby eliminating the need for a DRL electrode and enabling convenient, portable electrocardiogram measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a driven right leg (DRL) electrode is used to remove power line interference, then power line interference is effectively eliminated, but the device complexity and number of required electrodes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the DRL electrode from the traditional 4-electrode configuration, achieving power line interference removal using only 3 electrodes (RA, LA, LL). This reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to reject power line interference through alternative circuit design and signal processing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the circuit configuration parameters by reassigning electrode functions and modifying the amplifier connection topology. Instead of using a DRL electrode, the system uses a modified lead arrangement where the LL electrode serves multiple functions, and the circuit is reconfigured to achieve common mode rejection without the traditional DRL component.
2Measurement precision
If multiple electrocardiogram leads are measured simultaneously using more electrodes, then measurement precision and diagnostic capability improve, but device complexity and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each electrode serve multiple functions. The three electrodes (RA, LA, LL) are used to generate multiple leads through different combination circuits. For example, the same three electrodes can produce Lead I (LA-RA), Lead II (LL-RA), and Lead III (LL-LA) by switching the amplifier connections, eliminating the need for separate electrodes for each lead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic switching of electrode connections to achieve multiple lead measurements. The system dynamically reconfigures which electrodes are connected to which amplifier inputs based on which lead is being measured, allowing a static set of three electrodes to function dynamically as if they were six separate electrode pairs.
3Reliability
If continuous electrocardiogram monitoring is implemented, then diagnostic capability for intermittent arrhythmia improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic measurement cycles where the electrocardiogram is monitored continuously at a low level, and full-resolution measurements are taken periodically when arrhythmia is detected or suspected. The system uses the photoplethysmograph for continuous monitoring and triggers ECG measurements only when needed, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining diagnostic reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the photoplethysmograph's arrhythmia detection capability to self-trigger ECG measurements. When the PPG detects potential arrhythmia, it automatically initiates an ECG measurement without requiring external intervention, optimizing the balance between continuous monitoring and power consumption through intelligent, condition-based activation.
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
This solution allows for simultaneous measurement of six electrocardiogram leads with minimal electrodes, facilitating timely detection of intermittent arrhythmia and reducing power consumption, making it suitable for continuous monitoring and asymptomatic arrhythmia diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
a photoplethysmograph and an electrocardiograph installed in the wearable device or an electrocardiograph which is separated from the wearable device and portable
Implementation Method 2
receiving electrocardiogram signals through a first electrocardiogram electrode and a second electrocardiogram electrode among three electrocardiogram electrodes coming into contact with a left hand, a right hand, and a left lower abdomen or left leg of a user, respectively
Implementation Method 3
amplifying two electrocardiogram signals inputted to the first and second electrocardiogram electrodes by using two amplifiers built in the electrocardiograph
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrocardiogram measurement system using a wearable device, comprising a photoplethysmograph, and an electrocardiograph provided in a wearable device or an electrocardiograph which can be separated from the wearable device and carried, wherein the photoplethysmograph comprises a photoplethysmogram measurement circuit comprising an LED and a photodiode, an AD converter connected to an output terminal of the photoplethysmogram measurement circuit, for converting an analog signal to a digital signal, a wireless communication means for transmitting and receiving data, and a microcontroller for measuring photoplethysmogram, the microcontroller extracts photoplethysmogram parameters by analyzing the measured photoplethysmogram, determines generation of an alarm by using the extracted photoplethysmogram parameters, and generates an alarm on the basis of the determination result, and the electrocardiograph comprises three dry electrocardiogram measurement electrodes and two amplifiers for amplifying two electrocardiogram signals induced at two electrocardiogram electrodes out of the three electrocardiogram electrodes.