USOO7684854B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 7.684,854 B2

Park et al. (45) Date of Patent: Mar. 23, 2010
(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR (58) Field of Classification Search ......... 600/374-393,
MEASURINGELECTRIC NON-CONTACT 600/508, 509
ELECTROCARDOGRAMINEVERYDAY See application file for complete search history.
LIFE
(56) References Cited
(75) Inventors: Kwang-Suk Park, Seoul (KR): U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
Yong-Kyu Lim, Seoul (KR); Ko-Keun
Kim, Ansan-si (KR) 3,731,672 A * 5, 1973 McIntosh .................... 600,516
5,503,158 A * 4/1996 Coppocket al. .. ... 600,508
(73) Assignee: Seoul National University Industry 6,745,062 B1* 6/2004 Finneran et al. ............. 600,393
Foundation, Seoul (KR) 6,961,601 B2 * 1 1/2005 Matthews et al. ........... 600,372
7.245,956 B2 * 7/2007 Matthews et al. ........... 600,382
*) Notice: Subject to anyy disclaimer, the term of this OTHER PUBLICATIONS
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 488 days. “Monitoring of Electrocardiograms in Bed Without Utilizing Body
Surface Electrodes'. By Ishijima, published by IEEE Transactions on
(21) Appl. No.: 11/631,704 Biomedical Engineering, vol. 40, No. 6, Jun. 1993.
(22) PCT Filed: Aug. 31, 2005 * cited by examiner
Primary Examiner Scott M Getzow
(86). PCT No.: PCT/KR2OOS/OO2.885 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Bachman & LaPointe, P.C.
S371 (c)(1), (57) ABSTRACT
(2), (4) Date: Jan. 5, 2007
(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO2006/031025 The present invention relates generally to an electric non
contact apparatus and method for taking electrocardiograms
PCT Pub. Date: Mar. 23, 2006 and, more particularly, to an electric non-contact apparatus
and method for taking electrocardiograms, in which an exam
(65) Prior Publication Data inee can have an electrocardiogram taken in a comfortable
position because the apparatus and method are applied to a
US 2007/0255152 A1 Nov. 1, 2007 chair, a bed or a vehicle seat, which are widely used in daily
life, and in which the examinee can unnoticeably have an
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data electrocardiogram taken without being conscious of the tak
Aug. 31, 2004 (KR) ...................... 10-2004-0068943 ing of the electrocardiogram because the taking of the elec
trocardiogram is performed on the body of a human wearing
(51) Int. Cl. clothes without directly contacting the body.
A6 IB5/0444 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. Cl. ....................................... 600/509; 600/382 9 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets

Filter and
amplifier unit Converter

Subtraction
fier

Filter and
arolifier unit Converter Y -- -- ----- -- -m a
U.S. Patent Mar. 23, 2010 Sheet 1 of 10 US 7.684.854 B2

Fig. 1
U.S. Patent Mar. 23, 2010 Sheet 2 of 10
U.S. Patent Mar. 23, 2010 Sheet 3 of 10 US 7.684,854 B2

Fig. 3

Subtraction
fier
U.S. Patent US 7.684.854 B2
U.S. Patent Mar. 23, 2010 Sheet 5 of 10 US 7,684.854 B2

Fig. 5

Input
line
U.S. Patent Mar. 23, 2010 Sheet 6 of 10 US 7.684.854 B2

Fig. 6

BioSignal is input to amp-attached Sf

electrode via displacement Current

BioSignal is amplified and S2

impedance-converted

BioSignal is input to filter S3

and amp unit

BioSignal is filtered and amplified S4

Analog signal based on biosignal

is input to A/D converter Sa

Analog signal is converted into

digital signal by A/D converter S6

Digital signal is input to

Cigital Signal processing unit O S7

ECG is displayed S8

End
U.S. Patent Mar. 23, 2010 Sheet 7 of 10 US 7.684.854 B2
U.S. Patent Mar. 23, 2010 Sheet 8 of 10 US 7.684.854 B2

Fig. 8
0.08

0.06

0.04

0.02

-0.02 . "
r0.04

-0.06 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 6 8 20
Time (sec)
U.S. Patent Mar. 23, 2010 Sheet 9 of 10 US 7.684.854 B2

Fig. 9
U.S. Patent Mar. 23, 2010 Sheet 10 of 10 US 7.684.854 B2

Fig. 10
 US 7.684,854 B2
1. 2
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A conventional apparatus for taking ECGs, as illustrated in
MEASURINGELECTRIC NON-CONTACT FIG. 2, includes a conductive fiber electrode 100 and an ECG
ELECTROCARDOGRAM NEVERYDAY amplifier 200. The conductive fiber electrode 100 includes
LIFE three conductive fiber patches 101 and 101" that are attached
to the mattress of a bed.
TECHNICAL FIELD The conductive fiber electrode 100 is formed by coating a
polyester filament with copper and nickel, and is configured
The present invention relates generally to an electric non to conduct electricity.
contact apparatus and method for taking electrocardiograms For an examinee to have an ECG taken, the examinee wears
and, more particularly, to an electric non-contact apparatus 10 clothes, including an upper garment allowing the chest or
and method for taking electrocardiograms, which are applied shoulders to be exposed to the outside, and knee pants, and
to a chair, a bed or a vehicle seat widely used in daily life, so lays himself or herself on a bed so that his or her back or
that an examinee can have an electrocardiogram taken in a shoulders come into contact with the two conductive fiber
comfortable position, and which perform the taking of the patches 101 provided on one side of the bed and his or her feet
electrocardiogram on the body of a human wearing clothes 15 come into contact with the one conductive fiber patch 101'.
without directly contacting the body, so that the examinee can After the examinee's parts have come into contact with the
unnoticeably have an electrocardiogram taken without being conductive fiber patches 101 and 101" as described above, the
conscious of the taking of the electrocardiogram. examinee's ECG is taken by the ECG method using Lead I, II
or III through an ECG amplifier, as described in conjunction
BACKGROUND ART with FIG. 1.
A conventional apparatus for taking ECGs in an unnotice
An ECG refers to a record of action current attributable to able and unrestrictive manner is disclosed in Ishijima's thesis:
the contraction of the heart using a curve, and is an abbrevia Masa Ishijima, Monitoring of ECGs in Bed Without Utiliz
tion for an electrocardiogram. ing Body Surface Electrodes, IEEE Transactions on Bio
Since the excitation of the heart muscle first occurs in the 25 medical Engineering, Vol 40, No 6, June 1993, p 593-594.
sinus Venosus and proceeds toward the auricle and the cardiac This apparatus is disadvantageous in that the Surface of a
Ventricle, the action current of the heart is depicted on a graph body must be brought into contact with electrodes exposed on
when the excitation is introduced from two arbitrary points to a bed because an ECG is taken directly on the surface of the
an ammeter (electrocardiograph). examinee's body, so that the examinee must put on and take
A diagram, in which action potentials, which are generated 30 off clothes to have an ECG taken, which may be unpleasant
for the examinee.
by electric excitation that occurs when the heart muscle con Furthermore, the conventional ECG apparatus and method
tracts, are transferred to the Surface of a human body and have limitations in that it is not easy to repeatedly have an
waveforms caused by the current are depicted, is an ECG. ECG taken at home using the ECG apparatus and method
This ECG is very important in the diagnosis of heart diseases.
In this diagram, in the case where the indicator needle of an
35 used in medical institutions, and it is inconvenient for
ammeter draws an upward curve when the base portion of the unskilled persons to use the ECG apparatus. Moreover, the
heart is excited and becomes electrically negative with conventional ECG apparatus and method has a problem in
respect to the tip portion, the portions projected from an that, when an examinee has an ECG taken using the conven
equipotential line are denoted by P, Q, R, S, Tand U waves, tional ECG apparatus and method, the examinee is aware that
according to the W. Ainthoben's nomenclature.
40 an ECG is being taken, so that it is difficult to obtain accurate
ECG values.
In order to obtain an ECG for the diagnosis of heart dis
eases, ECG methods using standard limb induction based on DISCLOSURE
both hands (first induction: Lead I), a right hand and a left foot
(second induction: Lead II), and a left hand and a left foot 45
(third induction: Lead III) are used, as illustrated in FIG.1. In Technical Problem
addition, there are ECG methods using unipolar induction Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping
and chest induction. in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an
The taking of ECGs is widely used in the diagnosis of object of the present invention is to provide an electric non
coronary diseases, such as angina pectoris and myocardial 50
contact apparatus and method for taking electrocardiograms,
infarction, arrhythmia, and electrolyte disorders, in the which are applied to a chair, a bed or a vehicle seat widely
examination and determination of whether a disorder of the used in daily life, so that an examinee can have an electrocar
heart exists during an operation, and is important in the diag diogram taken in a comfortable position, which perform the
nosis of heart diseases. taking of the electrocardiogram on the body of a human
Such an ECG is based on some biosignal, other than a 55
wearing clothes without directly contacting the body, so that
biosignal related to an electromyogram, a brain wave, or a the examinee can unnoticeably have an electrocardiogram
bio-impedance signal. The biosignal related to the ECG is a taken without being conscious of the taking of the electrocar
signal that is fundamental to the diagnosis of the health con diogram, and which do not require work of bringing the ECG
dition of an examinee and that uses a non-invasive method. apparatus and electrodes into contact with the body or work of
The biosignal related to an ECG is widely used in clinical 60
attaching the ECG apparatus and the electrodes thereto, so
practice, along with a respiration signal. that unskilled persons can use the ECG apparatus and
In a medical field requiring the measurement of biopoten method, thereby improving the convenience of use.
tials, such as those for an ECG, an electromyogram and an Technical Solution
electroencephalogram, to perform appropriate treatment, a In order to accomplish the above object, the present inven
method of transmitting electric signals from a body to an 65 tion provides an apparatus for taking ECGs, the apparatus
external device and making a diagnosis has been recently being attached to a human body, including one or more ampli
commercialized. fier-attached electrodes installed adjacent to appropriate loca
 US 7.684,854 B2
3 4
tions of clothes without directly contacting a body; one or vehicle, to enable direct contact, and the ground plate is
more filter and amplifier units connected to first sides of the installed at a predetermined location on a seat part of the
amplifier-attached electrodes and configured to filter out driver's seat.
external noise and amplify filtered signals; one or more A/D Preferably, when the electric non-contact ECG apparatus is
converters connected to first sides of the filter and amplifier 5 applied to a driver's seat of a vehicle, the amplifier-attached
units; a digital signal processing unit provided to first sides of electrodes are installed on appropriate sides of a seat part of
the A/D converter and configured to transmit a taken ECG to the driver's seat where thighs of a driver are placed, and the
a display and a post-processing device; and a ground plate ground plate is installed on a steering wheel, which is pro
installed adjacent to an appropriate location on the clothes vided in front of the driver's chair and is used to steer the
without directly contacting the body. 10 vehicle, to enable direct contact.
Preferably, each of the amplifier-attached electrodes Meanwhile, the present invention provides a method of
includes an electrode face provided on one side of the ampli taking ECGs of examinees based on an ECG apparatus, the
fier-attached electrode, a preamplifier for amplifying and ECG apparatus having one or more amplifier-attached elec
impedance-converting a biosignal input through the electrode trodes, one or more filter and amplifier units, one or more A/D
face, and a shield provided around the preamplifier. 15 converters, a digital signal processing unit and a ground plate,
In the apparatus, each of the filter and amplifier units including the step at which biosignals, which are generated in
includes a high pass filter circuit for filtering out variation of an examiner's body, are input to the amplifier-attached elec
offset accompanying the biosignal input to the preamplifier of trodes across worn clothes via displacement current; the step
the amplifier-attached electrode in displacement current at which the input biosignals are amplified and impedance
form, a band stop filter circuit for filtering out 60 Hz band converted by the amplifier-attached electrodes; the step at
common-mode noise from a biosignal input through the high which the biosignals, which are converted by the amplifier
pass filter circuit, an amplification circuit for amplifying a attached electrodes, are input to the filter and amplifier units:
biosignal, which is input through the band stop filter circuit, at the step at which the input biosignals are filtered and ampli
a predetermined amplification ratio, and a low pass filter fied by the filter and amplifier units; the step at which biosig
circuit for extracting a low band signal of 100 Hz or lower
25 nal-based analog signals, which are output from the filter and
frequency from a biosignal input through the amplification amplifier units, are input to the A/D converters; the step at
circuit and outputting the lower band signal as an analog which the biosignal-based analog signals are converted into
signal. digital signals by the A/D converters; the step at which the
digital signals, which are obtained by the A/D converters, are
Meanwhile, each of the A/D converters is configured to 30 input to the digital signal processing unit; and the step at
convert the biosignal-based analog signal, which is input which an ECG, on which subtraction and filtering are per
through the filter and amplifier unit, into a digital signal. formed by the digital signal processing unit, is displayed on a
The digital signal processing unit includes a Subtractor for display.
obtaining a difference between the digitized biosignals input Preferably, the biosignals input to the amplifier-attached
through the A/D converters, and a subtraction filter for filter 35 electrodes are detected by electrode faces and the biosignals
ing out noise, which is generated during the Subtraction, from are amplified and impedance-converted by preamplifiers.
the digital signals input through the Subtractor. Variation of offset is eliminated and filtered out from the
When the electric non-contact ECG apparatus is applied to biosignals, which are input to the amplifier-attached elec
a chair, the amplifier-attached electrodes are installed on trodes, by high pass filter circuits, 60 Hz band common-mode
appropriate sides of a backrest part of the chair on which both 40 noise passed through the high pass filter circuit is eliminated
shoulders of an examinee are placed, and the ground plate is and filtered out by a low pass filter circuit, the biosignals
installed at a predetermined location on a seat of the chair on passed through the low pass filter circuit are amplified at a
which buttocks of the examinee are placed. predetermined amplification ratio by an amplification circuit,
Preferably, when the electric non-contact ECG apparatus is and the amplified biosignals amplified by the amplification
applied to a chair, the amplifier-attached electrodes are 45 circuit are output as analog signals in a low signal band.
installed on appropriate sides of a seat of the chair where both The digital signals input to the digital signal processing
thighs of an examinee are placed, and the ground plate is unit are subtracted by the subtractor, and noise, which is
installed at a predetermined location on a backrest part of the generated during the Subtraction through the Subtractor, is
chair on which both shoulders of the examinee are placed. 50
eliminated by a subtraction filter.
When the electric non-contact ECG apparatus is applied to Meanwhile, the ground plate eliminates common-mode
a bed, the amplifier-attached electrodes are installed on a first noise of the body in Such away as to detect the common-mode
side of an upper surface of a mattress of the bed on which both noise by performing Subtraction and addition on the signals
shoulders of an examinee are placed, and the ground plate is input from the amplifier-attached electrodes, and connect to
installed on a second side of the upper Surface of the mattress the amplifier-attached electrodes in a negative feedback fash
55 1O.
of the bed on which buttocks of the examinee are placed.
Alternatively, when the electric non-contact ECG appara Advantageous Effects
tus is applied to a bed, the amplifier-attached electrodes are The present invention is advantageous in that the present
installed on a first side of an upper Surface of a mattress of the invention is applied to a chair, a bed or a vehicle seat widely
bed on which thighs of an examinee are placed, and the 60 used in daily life, so that an examinee can have an electrocar
ground plate is installed on a second side of the upper Surface diogram taken in a comfortable position, which performs the
of the mattress of the bed on which both shoulders of the taking of the electrocardiogram on the body of a human
examinee are placed. wearing clothes without directly contacting the body, so that
When the electric non-contact ECG apparatus is applied to the examinee can unnoticeably have an electrocardiogram
a driver's seat of a vehicle, the amplifier-attached electrodes 65 taken without being conscious of the taking of the electrocar
are installed on appropriate sides of a steering wheel, which is diogram, thus obtaining a heart rate that can be used as a
provided in front of the driver's chair and is used to steer the parameter useful to analyze physical and metal activities, and
 US 7.684,854 B2
5 6
which does not require work of bringing the ECG apparatus FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an
and electrodes into contact with the body or work of attaching electric non-contact apparatus for taking ECGs, according to
the ECG apparatus and the electrodes thereto, so that the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the filter
unskilled persons can use the ECG apparatus and method, and amplification unit of the electric non-contact ECG appa
thereby improving the convenience of use. ratus. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating input impedance
depending on the gain value of the electric non-contact appa
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS ratus for taking ECGs. FIG. 6 is an electric non-contact
method of measuring ECGs based on the electric non-contact
FIG. 1 is a diagram Schematically illustrating a conven apparatus, according to the present invention.
tional method of taking ECGs: 10 As illustrated in the drawings, the electric non-contact
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the use of a apparatus for measuring an ECG includes an amplifier-at
conventional apparatus for taking ECGs; tached electrode 10, a filter and amplifier unit 30, an A/D
FIG. 3 is a block diagram Schematically illustrating an converter 50, a digital signal processing unit 70, and a ground
electric non-contact apparatus for taking ECGs, according to plate 80.
the present invention; 15 The amplifier-attached electrode 10 has an electrode face
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the filter and amplification 11 at one side thereof, and includes a preamplifier 13 that
unit of the electric non-contact ECG apparatus; amplifies a minute biosignal, which is input via displacement
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating input impedance depending current without direct physical contact, and converts the sig
on the gain value of the electric non-contact apparatus for nal into voltage. The preamplifier 13 is configured to be
taking ECGs: shielded by a shield 15. At least one amplifier-attached elec
FIG. 6 is an electric non-contact method of measuring trode 10 is provided.
ECGs based on the electric non-contact apparatus, according Meanwhile, in a system that does not come into electrical
to the present invention; contact with the surface of a body, the measurement of bio
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an electric non-contact potential is achieved using displacement current. The dis
apparatus for taking ECGs according to a first embodiment of 25 placement current is used for a method of transferring an
the present invention; electric signal between the skin of a body and an electrode
FIG. 8 is a screen illustrating ECG taking results according face. The term “displacement current refers to current gen
to the present embodiment; erated while Voltage across electrodes, which has a non
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an electric non-contact conductive material. Such as clothes, bedclothes, or leather,
apparatus for taking ECGs according to a second embodi 30 therebetween, varies,
ment of the present invention; and For example, when a capacitor is discharged, charges
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an electric non-contact located on the upper surface of an electrode plate flow
apparatus for taking ECGs according to a third embodiment through an external conducting wire in conduction current
of the present invention. form and, at the same time, the density of electric force lines
35 varies between the capacitor and the electrode plate, thus
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS forming displacement current. As a result, a single electric
OF IMPORTANTELEMENTS circuit is formed throughout the system, and an electric field
is generated by the current and propagates through the space
1: non-contact ECG apparatus, in electromagnetic wave form.
3: body, 40 In the present invention, a biosignal generated on the Sur
5: clothes, face of a body 3 is input to the amplifier-attached electrode 10
10: amplifier-attached electrode, via displacement current, a signal generated by amplification
11: electrode face, and impedance variation is measured, and high input imped
13: pre-amplifier, ance is generated on the amplifier-attached electrode 10 So as
15: shield, 45 to convert the measured minute biosignal into Voltage having
30: filter and amplifier unit, a high gain Value.
31: high pass filter circuit, The filter and amplifier unit 30 is configured to be provided
33: pass stop filter circuit, on one side of the amplifier-attached electrode 10 and to be
35: amplification circuit, connected to the preamplifier 13 of the amplifier-attached
37: low pass filter circuit, 50 electrode 10, so that a generated biosignal is converted into
50: A/D converter, voltage based on an ECG detected by the amplifier-attached
70: digital signal processing unit, electrode 10.
71: Subtractor, A high pass filter circuit 31 for preventing a phenomenon in
73: Subtraction filter, which the base line of a biosignal, having passed through the
80: ground plate, 55 preamplifier 13, fluctuates, and eliminating and filtering out
91: chair, the variation of offset accompanying the biosignal at the time
93: bed, of converting the biosignal into Voltage, a band stop filter
95: driver's seat, circuit 33 for eliminating and filtering out 60 Hz band com
96: steering wheel, mon-mode noise that is the impedance Voltage of a human
60 body and is included in the displacement current based on the
97: backrest part, ECG signal having passed through the high pass filter circuit
99: seat part 31, an amplification circuit 35 for amplifying the minute
Best Mode common-mode noise free biosignalata predetermined ampli
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are fication ratio, and a low pass filter circuit 37 for outputting an
described in detail below. However, the following embodi 65 analog signal in a low signal band lower than 50 Hz, after the
ments are provided for illustrative purposes, and the present amplification using the amplification circuit 35 has been per
invention is not limited to the following embodiments. formed.
 US 7.684,854 B2
7 8
The A/D converter 50 is provided on one side of the filter First, one or more amplifier-attached electrodes 10 are
and amplifier unit 30, and converts the analog signal of the respectively located adjacent to either side of the thigh of an
biosignal, which is output through the filter and amplifier unit examinee wearing clothes 5 on the body 3, and the ground
30 and based on the ECG, into a digital signal. plate 80 is located adjacent to the back or shoulders of the
The digital signal processing unit 70 is provided to first examinee.
sides of the A/D converters 50, and includes a subtractor 71 As described above, at least one amplifier-attached elec
for Subtracting the biosignals, which are measured by the trode 10 and the ground plate 80 are located adjacent to the
amplifier-attached electrodes 10 and are based on the ECG, specific portions of the body 3 wearing the clothes 5, and
from each other and a subtraction filter 73 for eliminating conditions for measuring the ECG of the examinee are set, so
noise, which is generated during the Subtraction, from the 10 that a biosignal generated in the body 3 of the examinee can
digital signals input through the Subtractor 71. be input to the amplifier-attached electrode 10 in displace
A ground plate 80 is provided on one side of the digital ment current form at step S1.
signal processing unit 70, and is disposed adjacent to the At this time, the minute biosignal of the body 3, which is
clothes of an examinee when the electric non-contact ECG input to the electrode face 11 of the amplifier-attached elec
apparatus 1 according to the present invention is applied to a 15 trode 10 through the clothes 5, is amplified and impedance
human body. converted at step S2, and the biosignal input to the amplifier
The ground plate 80 is configured based on a method of attached electrode 10 and converted is input to the filter and
directly connecting to a ground or a method of detecting a amplifier unit 30 at step S3.
common-mode signal by adding signals, which are output At this time, high impedance is applied to the amplifier
from the amplifier-attached electrodes 10, to each other, and attached electrode 10 so as to convert the minute biosignal
then connecting the common-mode signal to a ground at an generated in the body 3 into Voltage having a high gain value
appropriate gain in a negative feedback manner. The entire Voltage.
system for the method of connecting to the ground in a nega Meanwhile, the amplifier-attached electrode 10 functions
tive feedback manner is more complicated. The latter method as a kind of sensor for detecting the potential of the skin of the
is more effective in eliminating common-mode noise. 25 body 3. For this purpose, the amplifier-attached electrode 10
That is, the method of connecting to the ground in a nega is manufactured by coating one surface of a Printed Circuit
tive feedback manner amplifies common-mode noise, which Board (PCB) with copper and then plating the PCB with gold.
is detected by adding the output signals of the two electrodes Assuming that the thickness of the clothes 5 is 1 mm and
to each other, using an amplifier having a negative gain and the specific inductive capacity of the clothes 5 is 2, the capaci
then transfers the common-mode noise to the human body 30 tance between the amplifier-attached electrode 10 and the
through the ground plate 80, so that the potential of the human human body can be expected to be about 30 pF, and the
body is pulled down contrary to common-mode noise, impedance can be expected to be 0.25 Gohm at 20 Hz.
thereby reducing the magnitude of common-mode noise Meanwhile, the preamplifier 13, which is provided in the
detected by the electrode. Accordingly, the method of con amplifier-attached electrode 10, functions to convert the bio
necting to the ground in a negative feedback manner can 35 signal, which is generated depending on the ECG detected by
eliminate common-mode noise more effectively than the the amplifier-attached electrode 10, into voltage that can be
method of directly connecting to the ground. easily used in the filter and amplifier unit 30. For this purpose,
Meanwhile, when the value V of the biosignal input to the the operational amplifier 124 is used in the preamplifier 13,
preamplifier 13 of the amplifier-attached electrode 10 is equal and the operational amplifier 124 has an input resistance of
to the value V of the output biosignal, the gain value of the 40 1013, an input capacitance of 1 pF and an impedance of about
output biosignal can be represented by V/Va=(wRinCE)/ 8 G at 20 HZ.
(1+jwRin(C+CE). For the gain value to increase, C (the After the biosignal output from the amplifier-attached elec
amount of total input to the amplifier) must be significantly trode 10 having the above-described construction has been
smaller than CE (capacitance between the electrode and the input to the filter and amplifier unit 30, the biosignal is filtered
human body), so that a system having a high input impedance 45 and amplified at step S4. The filtered and amplified biosignal
is required. In this case, Rin refers to the total parallel input is converted into an analog signal and is input to the A/D
resistance of the amplifier, and V/V, is reduced in propor converter 50 at step S5.
tion to Cin. The phenomenon in which the base line of the biosignal
For this purpose, in the present invention, the input termi fluctuates and the variation in offset are eliminated and fil
nal of the system is constructed using an operational amplifier 50 tered out while the biosignal passes through the high pass
124 having sufficient input impedance. The operational filter circuit 31 of the filter and amplifier unit 30, the 60 Hz
amplifier 124 is a semiconductor Integrated Circuit (IC) band common-mode noise is eliminated and filtered out while
amplifier having low noise, low bias current and high input the biosignal passes through the band stop filter circuit 33, the
impedance. common-mode noise free minute biosignal is amplified by
Meanwhile, the electrode face 11 and an electric path 55 the amplification circuit 35 at a predetermined amplification
extending from the electrode face 11 to the preamplifier 13 ratio, and the biosignal amplified by the amplification circuit
maintains significantly high impedance with respect to a 35 passes through the low pass filter circuit 37, is output from
ground, so that they are not affected much by external noise. the low pass filter circuit 37 as an analog signal, and is input
In order to reduce external input noise by minimizing a high to the digital signal processing unit 70.
impedance portion extending from the electrode face 11 to the 60 Meanwhile, the high pass filter circuit 31 is formed of a
amplification circuit 35, the amplifier-attached electrode 10, fourth order Sallen-Key high pass filter so as to eliminate and
in which the preamplifier 13 is attached to the electrode face filter out the phenomenon in which the base line of the bio
11, is employed. signal passed through the preamplifier 13 fluctuates, and the
The electric non-contact method of measuring an ECG variation in offset.
using the electric non-contact apparatus for measuring an 65 In the signal passed through the amplification circuit 35, a
ECG according to the present invention is described below signal, having frequencies lower than 50 Hz, and correspond
with reference to FIG. 5. ing to the ECG, exists, and signals, having a band higher than
 US 7.684,854 B2
9 10
50 Hz, may be considered noise. Since the analog signal As described above, the biosignal, which is passed through
output from the low pass filter circuit 37 must be converted the input terminal of the amplifier-attached electrode 10 of the
into the digital signal, the low pass filter circuit 37 must be electric non-contact ECG apparatus 1 installed in the chair 91,
configured to pass signals of frequencies lower than 100 Hz, is passed through the preamplifier 13, the high pass filter
which is double that of the band including the ECG, so as to 5 circuit 31, the band stop filter circuit 33, the amplification
preventing allising in which frequencies overlap each other. circuit 35 and the low pass filter circuit 37, and is displayed as
For this purpose, the low pass filter circuit 37 is formed of a a final ECG output signal on a display. That is, corresponding
fourth order Sallen-Key low pass filter, that is, a kind of active data is output, as is illustrated in FIG. 8.
filter circuit. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an electric non-contact
The analog signal output through the filter and amplifier 10 apparatus for taking ECGs according to a second embodi
unit 30 is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter ment of the present invention. This drawing illustrates an
50 at step S6. example in which the electric non-contact ECG apparatus is
The digital signal output through the A/D converter 50 is applied to a bed.
input to the digital signal processing unit 70 at step S7, Sub As illustrated in the drawing, when the electric non-contact
traction is performed on the digital signal by the Subtractor 15 ECG apparatus 1 according to the present invention is applied
71, noise, which is generated during the Subtraction process, to a bed, at least one amplifier-attached electrode 10 is
is eliminated and output by the subtraction filter 73, and the installed on one side of the upper surface of the mattress of the
output ECG is displayed on a display at step S8. bed 93 where the shoulders or back of an examinee are placed,
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an electric non-contact a ground plate 80 is installed on the other side of the upper
apparatus for taking ECGs according to a first embodiment of surface of the mattress of the bed 93 where the buttocks of the
the present invention. FIG. 8 is a screen illustrating ECG examinee are placed, and then the examinee's ECG is taken
results according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 illus using the above-described ECG method.
trates an example in which the electric non-contact ECG Meanwhile, when the electric non-contact ECG apparatus
apparatus is applied to a chair that is widely used in daily life. 25
1 according to the present invention is installed in the bed 93,
As illustrated in the drawing, when the electric non-contact the ground plate 80, which is installed on the other side of the
ECG apparatus 1 according to the present invention is applied upper surface of the mattress of the bed 93, is used for refer
to a chair 91, at least one amplifier-attached electrode 10 is ence Voltage.
installed on at least one side of the backrest part 97 of the chair The examinee can have an ECG taken in a comfortable
91 on which both shoulders of the examinee are placed, the 30
state without being conscious of ECG taking by installing the
ground plate 80 is installed at a predetermined location at the electric non-contact ECG apparatus 1 of the present invention
seat part 99 of the chair 91 on which the buttocks of the on the bed 93 on which a human can sleep.
examinee are placed, and the ECG of the examinee is taken Although, in the present embodiment, the amplifier-at
using the taking method. tached electrode 10 is installed on one side of the upper
In that case where the electric non-contact ECG apparatus surface of the mattress of the bed 93 and the ground plate 80
1 according to the present invention is installed in the chair is installed on the other side of the surface of the mattress of
91, the ground plate 80 installed in the seat part 99 of the chair the bed 93, it is preferred that at least one amplifier-attached
91 is used for reference voltage. electrode 10 be installed on one side of the upper surface of
By installing the electric non-contact ECG apparatus 1 of the mattress of the bed 93, where the thigh of an examinee is
the present invention in the chair 91 encountered in daily life, 40
placed, and the ground plate 80 be installed on the other side
the examinee can comfortably take an ECG without being of the upper surface of the mattress of the bed 93, where the
conscious of ECG taking. shoulders or back of the examinee are placed.
In the present embodiment, the amplifier-attached elec Meanwhile, although, in the present embodiment, the
trode 10 is installed in the backrest part 97 of the chair 91 and amplifier-attached electrode 10 and the ground plate 80 are
the ground plate 80 is installed in the seat part 99 of the chair 45 installed on both sides of the upper surface of the bed 93 and
91. However, it is possible to install at least one amplifier exposed to the outside, it is possible to embed the amplifier
attached electrode 10 on at least one side of the seat part 99 of attached electrode 10 and the ground plate 80 respectively in
the chair 91 on which a thigh of examinee is placed, and one side and the other side of the bed 93.
install the ground plate 80 in the backrest part 97 of the chair FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an electric non-contact
91 on which the shoulders or back of the examinee are placed. 50 apparatus for taking ECGs according to a third embodiment
Meanwhile, although, in the present invention, the ampli of the present invention. The drawing illustrates an example
fier-attached electrode 10 and the ground plate 80 installed in in which the electric non-contact ECG apparatus is installed
the chair 91 are installed to be exposed to the outside, the in the driver's seat of a vehicle.
amplifier-attached electrode 10 and the ground plate 80 may As illustrated in the drawing, when the electric non-contact
be embedded in the chair 91. 55 ECG apparatus 1 according to the present invention is
Furthermore, although, in the present embodiment, the installed in the driver's seat, one or more amplifier-attached
amplifier-attached electrode 10 and the ground plate 80 are electrodes 10 are installed at both appropriate locations on a
installed in the backrest part 97 and seat part 99 of the chair steering wheel 96 provided in front of the driver's seat and
91, respectively, the amplifier-attached electrode 10 and the used to steer a vehicle so that they can achieve direct contact,
ground plate 80 may be instead installed in an auxiliary back 60 the ground plate 80 is installed at a predetermined location on
rest and an auxiliary seat, respectively, and functions as the seat part 99 of the driver's seat 95 where the driver's
described above. buttocks are placed, and the driver's ECG is taken using the
Moreover, when the amplifier-attached electrode 10 is above-described method.
installed in the seat part 99 of the chair 91, it may be installed When the electric non-contact ECG apparatus 1 according
at an appropriate location on the front portion of the seat part 65 to the present invention is installed in the driver's seat, the
of the chair 91 that is located adjacent to or is in contact with ground plate 80 installed in the seat part 99 of the driver's seat
the calf of the examinee. 95 is used for reference voltage.
 US 7.684,854 B2
11 12
Although, in the present embodiment, the amplifier-at modifications and variations are possible without departing
tached electrodes 10 are installed at appropriate locations on from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the
the steering wheel 96 located in front of the steering wheel 96 accompanying claims.
and the ground plate 80 is installed at a predetermined loca
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
tion on the seat part 99 of the driver's seat where the driver's
buttocks are placed, it is preferable to install the amplifier
attached electrodes 10 on appropriate sides of the seat part 99 As described above, the present invention is advantageous
of the driver's seat 95, which is adjacent to or comes into in that the present invention is applied to a chair, a bed or a
contact with the thighs of the driver, and install the ground vehicle seat widely used in daily life, so that an examinee can
plate 80 on the steering wheel 96, which is provided in front 10 have an electrocardiogram taken in a comfortable position,
which performs the taking of the electrocardiogram on the
of the driver's seat 95, is used to steer a vehicle and can come body of a human wearing clothes without directly contacting
into direct contact with the drivers hands.
the body, so that the examinee can unnoticeably have an
Meanwhile, although, in the present embodiment, the electrocardiogram taken without being conscious of the tak
amplifier-attached electrodes 10 and the ground plate 80 are 15 ing of the electrocardiogram, thus obtaining a heart rate that
provided in the steering wheel 96 and seat part 99 of the can be used as a parameter useful to analyze physical and
driver's seat 95 and take the driver's ECG, it is possible to metal activities, and which does not require work of bringing
install the amplifier-attached electrodes 10 and the ground the ECG apparatus and electrodes into contact with the body
plate 80 on the backrest part 97 and seat part 99 of the driver's or work of attaching the ECG apparatus and the electrodes
seat 95 and take the driver's ECG, or to embed the amplifier thereto, so that unskilled persons can use the ECG apparatus
attached electrodes 10 and the ground plate 80 in the backrest and method, thereby improving the convenience of use.
part 97 and seat part 99 of the driver's seat 95 and take the The invention claimed is:
driver's ECG.
1. An apparatus for taking ElectroCardioGrams (ECGs),
Meanwhile, it is possible to install amplifier-attached elec the apparatus being attached to a human body, comprising:
trodes 10 and ground plates 80 on the seat part and backrest 25
one or more amplifier-attached electrodes (10) installed
part of a passenger seat beside the driver and/or the seat part adjacent to appropriate locations of clothes (5) without
and backrest part of each backseat provided behind the driv directly contacting a body (3):
er's seat and the passenger seat beside the driver, and take one or more filter and amplifier units (30) connected to first
passengers' ECGs. sides of the amplifier-attached electrodes (10) and con
30
The electric non-contact ECG apparatuses 1 according to figured to filter out external noise and amplify filtered
the present invention are installed in the seats of a vehicle, so signals;
that the driver's and passengers' ECGs can be easily taken, one or more Analog/Digital (A/D) converters (50) con
and a separate alarm Sound generation device is connected to nected to first sides of the filter and amplifier units (30):
the electric non-contact ECG apparatuses 1 of the present 35 a digital signal processing unit (70) provided to first sides
invention, so that a health-related accident, which may occur of the A/D converter (50) and configured to transmit a
to the driver or some other passenger, and the driver's drowsy taken ECG to a display and a post-processing device and
state when driving can be preemptively prevented. the digital signal processing unit (70) comprises a Sub
Furthermore, it is desired that the electric non-contact ECG tractor (71) for obtaining a difference between the digi
apparatus 1 according to the present invention be connected 40 tized biosignals input through the A/D converters (50),
to a Global Positioning System (GPS), which is installed in a and a substraction filter (73) for filtering out noise,
vehicle, or a communication device. Such as a mobile com which is generated during the Subtraction, from the digi
munication terminal or a Personal Digital Assistant, which is tal signals input through the Subtractor (71); and
used by the driver, via a wired or wireless connection and that a ground plate (80) installed adjacent to an appropriate
the communication device be connected to a medical institu 45 location on the clothes (5) without directly contacting
tion, such as a hospital, in a wireless manner, so that, when a the body (3).
health-related accident occurs to the driver or the passenger 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein, when the
during the driving of a vehicle, the location of a medical electric non-contact ECG apparatus (1) is applied to a chair
institution, such as a hospital, that is closest to the current (91),
location is searched for through the GPS, the mobile commu 50 the amplifier-attached electrodes (10) are installed on
nication terminal or the PDA, or a connection to a medical appropriate sides of a backrest part (97) of the chair (91)
institution is automatically established and an emergency on which both shoulders of an examinee are placed, and
vehicle. Such as an ambulance, is dispatched. the ground plate (80) is installed at a predetermined
In the present embodiment, the electric non-contact ECG location on a seat part (99) of the chair (91) on which
apparatus 1 installed on the driver's seat of the vehicle is 55 buttocks of the examinee are placed.
connected to the GPS or the mobile communication device, 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein, when the
Such as the mobile communication terminal, in a wired or electric non-contact ECG apparatus (1) is applied to a chair
wireless connection, thus preventing a health-related accident (91),
that may occur during the driving of a vehicle. Also, it is the amplifier-attached electrodes (10) are installed on
preferable that the electric non-contact ECG apparatus 1 of 60 appropriate sides of a seat part (99) of the chair (91)
the present invention installed on the chair or the bed be where both thighs of an examinee are placed, and the
connected to a medical institution, such as a hospital, via a ground plate (80) is installed at a predetermined location
wired or wireless connection, thus preemptively preventing a on a backrest part (97) of the chair (91) on which both
health-related accident that may occur at home or the office. shoulders of the examinee are placed.
Although the present invention has been illustrated and 65 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein, when the
described in conjunction with the specific embodiments, electric non-contact ECG apparatus (1) is applied to a bed
those skilled in the art can easily appreciate that various (93),
 US 7.684,854 B2
13 14
the amplifier-attached electrodes (10) are installed on a first the step (S5) at which biosignal-based analog signals,
side of an upper surface of a mattress of the bed (93) on which are output from the filter and amplifier units (30),
which both shoulders of an examinee are placed, and the are input to the A/D converters (50);
ground plate (80) is installed on a second side of the the step (S6) at which the biosignal-based analog signals
upper surface of the mattress of the bed (93) on which are converted into digital signals by the A/D converters
buttocks of the examinee are placed. (50);
5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein, when the the step (S7) at which the digital signals, which are
electric non-contact ECG apparatus (1) is applied to a bed obtained by the A/D converters (50), are input to the
(93), digital signal processing unit (70), and the digital signals
the amplifier-attached electrodes (10) are installed on a first 10 are subtracted by the subtractor (71), and noise, which is
side of an upper surface of a mattress of the bed (93) on generated during the Subtraction through the Subtractor
which thighs of an examinee are placed, and the ground (71), is eliminated by a subtraction filter (73); and
plate (80) is installed on a second side of the upper the step (S8) at which an ECG, on which subtraction and
surface of the mattress of the bed (93) on which both filtering are performed by the digital signal processing
shoulders of the examinee are placed. 15 unit (70), is displayed on a display.
6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein, when the 9. A method of taking ECGs of examinees based on an
electric non-contact ECG apparatus (1) is applied to a driver's ECG apparatus (1), the ECG apparatus (1) having one or more
seat of a vehicle, amplifier-attached electrodes (10), one or more filter and
the amplifier-attached electrodes (10) are installed on amplifier units (30), one or more A/D converters (50), a digital
appropriate sides of a steering wheel (96), which is signal processing unit (70) and a ground plate (80), compris
provided in front of the driver's chair and is used to steer 1ng:
the vehicle, to enable direct contact, and the ground plate the step (S1) at which biosignals, which are generated in an
(80) is installed at a predetermined location on a seat part examiner's body (3), are input to the amplifier-attached
(99) of the driver's seat (95) electrodes (10) across worn clothes (5) via displacement
7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein, when the 25 current; the step (S2) at which the input biosignals are
electric non-contact ECG apparatus (1) is applied to a driver's amplified and impedance-converted by the amplifier
seat of a vehicle, attached electrodes (10) and the ground plate (80) elimi
the amplifier-attached electrodes (10) are installed on nates common-mode noise of the body in Such a way as
appropriate sides of a seat part (99) of the driver's seat to detect the common-mode noise by performing Sub
(95) where thighs of a driver are placed, and the ground 30 traction and addition on the signals input from the ampli
plate (80) is installed on a steering wheel (96), which is fier-attached electrodes (10), and connect to the ampli
provided in front of the driver's chair and is used to steer fier-attached electrodes (10) in a negative feedback
the vehicle, to enable direct contact. fashion;
8. A method of taking ECGs of examinees based on an the step (S3) at which the biosignals, which are converted
ECG apparatus (1), the ECG apparatus (1) having one or more 35 by the amplifier-attached electrodes (10), are input to the
amplifier-attached electrodes (10), one or more filter and filter and amplifier units (30):
amplifier units (30), one or more A/D converters (50), a digital the step (S4) at which the input biosignals are filtered and
signal processing unit (70) and a ground plate (80), compris amplified by the filter and amplifier units (30):
1ng: the step (S5) at which biosignal-based analog signals,
the step (S1) at which biosignals, which are generated in an 40 which are output from the filter and amplifier units (30),
examiner's body (3), are input to the amplifier-attached are input to the A/D converters (50);
electrodes (10) across worn clothes (5) via displacement the step (S6) at which the biosignal-based analog signals
current; are converted into digital signals by the A/D converters
the step (S2) at which the input biosignals are amplified and (50);
impedance-converted by the amplifier-attached elec 45 the step (S7) at which the digital signals, which are
trodes (10); obtained by the A/D converters (50), are input to the
the step (S3) at which the biosignals, which are converted digital signal processing unit (70); and
by the amplifier-attached electrodes (10), are input to the the step (S8) at which an ECG, on which subtraction and
filter and amplifier units (30): filtering are performed by the digital signal processing
the step (S4) at which the input biosignals are filtered and
50 unit (70), is displayed on a display.
amplified by the filter and amplifier units (30): k k k k k
 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
PATENT NO. : 7.684,854 B2 Page 1 of 1
APPLICATION NO. : 1 1/631704
DATED : March 23, 2010
INVENTOR(S) : Kwang-Suk Park et al.
It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:

In Column 12, line 41 claim 1 delete substraction and insert --Subtraction--.

Signed and Sealed this

Eleventh Day of May, 2010

David J. Kappos
Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office