Patch type integrated sensor system for measuring electrical and mechanical cardiac activities

Abstract

The ElectroMechanical Film (EMFi), a thin and flexible piezoelectric material, has been widely used as a mechanical sensor or actuator. Especially in Biomedical Engineering field, many researchers have used EMFi for measuring ballistocardiogram (BCG) which is a mechanical signal caused by blood ejection from heart. However, previous methods required special equipments installed on a chair or a bed to measure BCG. In this preliminary study, we designed a flexible patch type sensor that can measure electrical and mechanical signal simultaneously on a single unit. The Ballistocardiogram-Electrocardiogram patch (BEpatch), integrated with flexible circuit and attached to chest, can successfully measure fine electrocardiogram (ECG) and BCG signals simultaneously. The result shows that BEpatch can be used for continuous monitoring of bio-signals in a simple and comfortable manner, thereby, advantageous as a wearable health care device.