Wireless non-contact cardiac and neural monitoring

Ubiquitous physiological monitoring will be a key driving force in the upcoming wireless health revolution. Cardiac and brain signals in the form of ECG and EEG are two critical health indicators that directly benefit from long-term monitoring. Despite advancements in wireless technology and electronics miniaturization, however, the use of wireless home ECG/EEG monitoring is still limited by the inconvenience and discomfort of wet adhesive electrodes. We have developed a wireless biopotential instrumentation system using non-contact capacitive electrodes that operate without skin contact. The sensors can be embedded within comfortable layers of fabric for unobtrusive use. All of the issues relating to the design of low noise, high performance capacitive sensors are discussed along with full technical details, circuit schematics and construction techniques. The non-contact electrode has been integrated into both a wearable ECG chest harness as well a EEG headband. We have also designed...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2010
• Where: WH
• Authors: Yu M. Chi, Patrick Ng, Eric Kang, Joseph Kang, Jennifer Fang, Gert Cauwenberghs
• Keywords: Electrode, Healthcare, Non-contact Capacitive Electrode, WH 2010, Wireless