Wireless Biopotential Electrode Layout for Stable Reference Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Attachment of biopotential measurement devices on the body causes discomfort due to pressure and restricted movement, and separation into multiple units complicates potential measurement without a reliable reference.

Innovation Solution

A biosignal measurement system with two electrode devices, a right-leg drive device, and a biosignal generation device, utilizing wireless communication and FM signals to connect these components, allowing separation into three units while maintaining stable biopotential measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If devices are connected with wires for biopotential measurement, then measurement reliability is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted body movement and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wire connection system with a wireless communication system. The electrode device transmits biopotential signals wirelessly to the external device using radio frequency communication, eliminating the need for physical wire connections between electrodes and the measurement device, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If devices are separated into multiple units for comfort, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to determine potential reference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces wireless communication as an intermediary between the separated electrode device and external device. This allows the electrode device to function independently on the body while maintaining electrical reference relationships through wireless data transmission, preserving measurement precision without compromising ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wire connection that establishes electrical reference with a wireless communication system that transmits signal data and reference information digitally, enabling device separation while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If more wires are added for right-leg drive device attachment, then common mode noise suppression improves, but ease of operation worsens due to increased wire constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommon mode noise suppressionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the wire-based connection for the right-leg drive device with wireless communication. The right-leg drive function is implemented in the external device that wirelessly communicates with the electrode device, eliminating the need for additional wires on the body while maintaining common mode noise suppression capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 easy and comfortable biopotential measurement by reducing wire constraints and suppressing common mode noise, ensuring stable operation even when devices are separated.

Implementation Method 1

a non-inverting amplification circuit that inputs the measured biopotential to a non-inverting amplifier terminal, amplifies the biopotential, and outputs the amplified biopotential

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical amplification:

Implementation Method 2

an FM transmitter that converts a voltage signal output from the output terminal of the non-inverting amplifier circuit into an FM signal and transmits the FM signal to the other electrode device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFM modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 3

an FM receiver that receives the FM signal transmitted from the other electrode device to an own electrode device, converts the FM signal into a voltage signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFM demodulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentUS20260026730A1Biosignal measurement system

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

An embodiment is a biosignal measurement system including two electrode devices, a biosignal generation device, and a right-leg drive device. Each electrode device has a first electrode, a non-inverting amplification circuit, a quantization circuit, a first wireless transmitter, an FM transmitter, an FM receiver, an adjustment circuit, and a power supply. The biosignal generation device has a first wireless receiver, an arithmetic circuit, a midpoint potential calculation circuit, and a second wireless transmitter. The right-leg drive device has a second wireless receiver, an amplifier circuit, and a second electrode. The electrode devices measure and process biopotentials, transmitting information wirelessly and via FM signals. The biosignal generation device receives this information, generates waveforms, calculates midpoint potentials, and transmits them to the right-leg drive device, which applies the amplified potential to the body.