SmartPad: A wireless, adhesive-electrode-free, autonomous ECG acquisition system

During medical procedures, such as surgery, a patient's vital signs are typically monitored using a web of wires connected to adhesive electrodes. The large number of wires inhibits the medical team's access to the patient while the adhesive electrodes can detach, fail, or be out-of-stock, causing delays in the procedure. In order to combat these problems, we have developed the SmartPad: a system that displays a patient's electrocardiogram (ECG) signal without adhesive pads, wires, or active intervention from a clinician. The system automatically selects three electrodes from an array of Cu/Ni-fabric based electrodes patterned on a thin pad on which the patient lies. The selected electrodes are used to provide a differential 3-lead measurement of the patient's ECG, which is then transmitted wirelessly and displayed on a laptop computer.