On November 1st, it was reported that nearly 200 million people worldwide suffer from coronary heart disease, accounting for approximately one-sixth of all deaths. Wearable electronic health monitoring devices with electrocardiogram (ECG) functionality have recently seen rapid growth. By detecting cardiovascular disease and helping to assess overall heart health, wearable ECGs can save lives and reduce exorbitant hospital care costs. According to a paper published on October 31st in the journal *Applied Physics Reviews*, researchers from Australia and India have proposed a novel wearable ECG patch that can enhance bedside diagnostics.
Researchers focused on how electrode design and materials affect their performance. Typically, silver/silver chloride electrodes, also known as “wet” electrodes, are used in devices that measure electrocardiogram (ECG) signals and amplify the signal with a conductive gel. However, these materials can be uncomfortable, irritating to the skin, and prone to drying out. The new research demonstrates an efficient prototype device that uses an active, dry electrode for ECG signal transmission.
Researchers say dry electrodes have several significant advantages. They are comfortable, durable, and reduce skin irritation, making them ideal for continuous monitoring, a key feature of wearable ECG devices.
The team investigated various geometries of dry electrodes and their effects on ECG sensing. Through extensive experimentation, they created a compact, lightweight, gel-free hexagonal ECG patch, ideal for point-of-care diagnosis. They also integrated this configuration with wireless Bluetooth communication, enabling remote sensing capabilities.
Researchers say these portable ECG patches could fundamentally change remote and outpatient healthcare, and even revolutionize preventative medicine. They are lightweight, transmit data wirelessly, and excel at distinguishing between various states of rest and activity. Whether used in clinical settings, seamlessly integrated into everyday clothing, or worn as wearable devices, these new patches could redefine how heart health is monitored.
