Non-contact ECG monitors driver’s health
In addition to exhaustion, cardiovascular medical emergencies affecting the heart or the blood vessels such as heart attack and cardiac arrhythmia are the main catalysts of sudden incapacitation among drivers causing serious traffic accidents. Potential emergency situations can be identified with an evaluation of the heart’s electrical activity.
The non-contact, capacitive ECG measurement device works on the same principle as the classic ECG. “That means, it analyses the characteristic course of the ECG and react to the changes to divert a potential emergency situations,” explains Andreas Heinig, Project Leader at Fraunhofer IPMS.“ In contrast to available ECG machines, the electrodes are not attached to the skin. Since it does not require skin contact, the device can measure the heartbeat of the driver through layers of clothing. Typical skin irritations developed during long-time monitoring can therefore be avoided.
The signal is transmitted over metal plates built into the driver seat which form a capacitor with the surface of the body. According to the researchers, the system operates reliably despite several layers of clothing and the slight movement of the two contact surfaces. Electronic development faces the challenge of being able to separate extremely weak signals from significantly greater interference influences for reliable evaluation. In order to minimize external electromagnetic interference, the researchers have included an internal shield level as well as an outer shield ring on the electrode circuit board and packaged the electrodes in an electromagnetic shielded casing. In addition, the team has placed a special electronic circuit in the device to actively eliminate induced charges. Thus, they can compensate for voltage fluctuations caused by changes in the distance between the measuring electrode plates in the seat and the skin as well as charges generated through static electricity.
The researchers are certain that the capacitive ECG will be in high demand due to the convenience offered for many other application scenarios. This technology could be used in seats of any kind or in hospital beds. It is also conceivable that the system be integrated into clothing.
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