CN116327200A

CN116327200A - Electrocardiogram acquisition garment and electrode assembly method

Info

Publication number: CN116327200A
Application number: CN202111576965.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 蒋萍; 周超; 袁一; 薛奋; 陈宇
Original assignee: Chengdu Cvhealth Science And Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Chengdu Cvhealth Science And Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-22
Filing date: 2021-12-22
Publication date: 2023-06-27

Abstract

The invention discloses an electrocardio acquisition garment and an electrode assembly method. The electrode assembly method (200) of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment according to the present invention includes: attaching an electrode sheet to the outer surface of an electrocardiograph acquisition garment (S210); exposing a first part of the front surface of the electrode sheet to the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment through the electrode hole on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment so as to be in contact with the skin of the human body (S220); a second portion of the front surface of the electrode tab is electrically connected to the electrode line (S230). The electrode plate can be simply assembled on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment by the method, and the electrode is well contacted with the skin of a user, so that the problem of difficult measurement is avoided. The electrocardio acquisition clothing assembled in this way can carry out real-time electrocardio monitoring anytime and anywhere.

Description

Electrocardiogram acquisition garment and electrode assembly method

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of signal acquisition and medical health, in particular to an electrocardio acquisition garment and electrode assembly method.

Background

There is an increasing concern for health in today's society. In the medical health field, there is a need for daily monitoring of body surface signals. Since heart diseases often cause great problems for healthy life of people, and even death or disability are easy to cause, especially for middle-aged and elderly people, sudden symptoms caused by heart diseases cannot be ignored. At present, screening for heart diseases is mainly performed by Electrocardiography (ECG), photoplethysmography (PPG), and the like, and is usually performed in hospitals by specialized equipment such as electrocardiographs or dynamic electrocardiographs (Holter). The electrocardiogram is used as a noninvasive detection means and has important significance for diagnosing heart diseases, but the heart diseases such as arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia and the like are not easy to be found by the conventional one-time electrocardiogram. The dynamic electrocardiogram can continuously monitor the whole process of the electrocardio activity, record the electrocardiogram data under different conditions including rest, activity, dining, work, study, sleep and the like, and pre-warn the sudden cardiac disease condition in the scenes of home, outdoor and the like. The detection result of the equipment is accurate, but the purpose of real-time monitoring at any time and any place cannot be achieved. The electrocardiographic data monitored in real time at any time and any place can be used as the objective basis for clinical analysis of illness state, establishment of diagnosis and judgment of curative effect.

However, heart diseases have sudden and high risk, and if the real-time electrocardiographic monitoring cannot be achieved, early warning cannot be performed on sudden heart disease conditions in the home, the outdoor and other scenes. In addition, even though the existing equipment can realize real-time monitoring, most of the equipment is inconvenient to carry and complex in operation, and for middle-aged and elderly people suffering from heart diseases, the complex operation can reduce the user experience sense of the middle-aged and elderly people.

With the rapid development of electronic products and internet industries, medical electronic devices are developing towards intellectualization and miniaturization, and wearable mobile medical electronic devices are receiving more and more attention from the public. Some wearable devices exist in the prior art, and can monitor body surface signals, in particular electrocardiosignals in real time. Such wearable devices include smart bracelets, smart watches, smart collars, electrocardiograph gowns, and the like. However, the body detection range of devices such as smart bracelets or watches is limited, the number of leads used for monitoring electrocardiosignals is limited, and the monitoring of electrocardiosignals is generally limited to single leads or double leads and is not perfect. The electrocardiograph garment in the prior art also has the problems of limited lead number, poor fit degree of the garment and poor contact between the lead and the skin. For example, the lead electrodes on clothing may be in poor contact with the person under test, or even come out of contact, due to the person under test's body size being too large, too small, or daily movements (bowing, running, etc.).

In addition, the existing electrocardiosignal acquisition equipment generally adopts wet electrodes and cannot be worn for a long time.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an electrode assembly method on an electrocardiographic acquisition garment that facilitates assembly of the electrode pads on the electrocardiographic acquisition garment and that provides good contact of the electrodes with the skin of the user without causing problems of difficult measurement.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of assembling electrodes on an electrocardiographic acquisition garment. Through the teaching of the invention, the electrode plate is easy to assemble on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, and the electrode is in good contact with the skin of a user, so that the problem of difficult measurement is avoided.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrocardiographic acquisition garment. By installing the electrode plate, the electrode wire and other measuring modules on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, the electrode on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment is well contacted with the skin of a user, and real-time electrocardiograph monitoring can be carried out at any time and any place.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a detachable electrode that can be fitted to an electrocardiograph garment, thereby enabling frequent cleaning of the electrocardiograph garment.

Another object of the present invention is that the electrode sheet adopts a dry electrode sheet, and preferably adopts conductive silver paste as a conductive functional part of the dry electrode. The electrode wire is a shielding wire.

It is a further object of the present invention to allow for adjustment of the position of standard lead electrodes. For example, the chest lead electrode on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment is closer to the skin by adjusting the position of the chest lead electrode, so that measurement difficulty is avoided.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling an electrode of an electrocardiographic acquisition garment. The electrode assembly method may include: attaching an electrode plate to the outer surface of an electrocardiograph acquisition garment; exposing a first part of the front surface of the electrode plate on the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing through an electrode hole on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing so as to be in contact with the skin of a human body; the second part of the front face of the electrode plate is electrically connected with the electrode wire.

The electrode assembly method according to the first aspect of the present invention may further include: welding the electrode wire to the connection member; attaching the connecting piece to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment; the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet is electrically connected to the electrode wire by sufficiently contacting the connecting member with the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet.

In the electrode assembly method according to the first aspect of the present invention, preferably, the connection member may be a flexible circuit board. Fully contacting the connector with the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet may further comprise: and fully contacting the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board with the second part of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

The electrode assembly method according to the first aspect of the present invention may further include: punching a copper sheet on a flexible circuit board; and (3) based on the hole on the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board, punching the electrode sheet, and connecting and fixing the electrode sheet at the position of the hole, so that the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board is fully contacted with the second part of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

Preferably, punching the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board may further include: and controlling the area of the hole on the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board so that the contact surface of the copper sheet is enough to be in stable contact with the second part of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

The electrode assembly method according to the first aspect of the present invention may further include: fixing foam at a position corresponding to the first part on the back of the electrode sheet in an adhesive mode; the foam is extruded to the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing through the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, so that the first part protrudes out of the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing from the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, and is in good contact with human skin.

The electrode assembly method according to the first aspect of the present invention may further include: and (5) adhering and fixing the other cloth on the back surface of the electrode plate.

In the electrode assembly method according to the first aspect of the present invention, preferably, attaching the electrode sheet to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment may include: the electrode plate is detachably fixed on the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment.

Preferably, attaching the electrode pad to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment comprises: bonding the peripheral part of the front surface of the electrode plate to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment in a sticking mode; the second part of the front surface of the electrode plate and the electrode wire are buckled on the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment in a buckling mode.

In the electrode assembly method according to the first aspect of the present invention, preferably, the electrode sheet is a dry electrode sheet, and the electrode sheet includes, from the back surface to the front surface: a silver paste layer; a carbon film protective layer; and a hot melt adhesive film layer. The carbon film protective layer and the hot melt adhesive film layer are missing at the position aligning to the electrode hole on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, so that the silver paste layer is directly exposed on the front surface of the electrode plate at the position to form a first part of the front surface of the electrode plate. The carbon film protective layer and the hot melt adhesive film layer are missing at the position aligned to be connected with the electrode wire, so that the silver paste layer is directly exposed on the front surface of the electrode plate at the position, and a second part of the front surface of the electrode plate is formed.

In the electrode assembly method according to the first aspect of the present invention, preferably, the electrode wire is a shielded wire.

Preferably, the electrode wire is fixed on the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment through a wire mesh after being led out from the second part of the front surface of the electrode plate.

In the electrode assembly method according to the first aspect of the present invention, preferably, the electrode sheet includes a limb lead electrode sheet and a chest lead electrode sheet.

Preferably, the position of at least one of the chest lead electrode pads is set at a position offset from the standard lead electrode position.

Preferably, the position of at least one of the chest lead electrode pads is set to be offset from the standard lead electrode position in a direction away from the sternum.

Preferably, the at least one chest lead electrode pad is the at least one chest lead electrode pad closest to the sternum in a standard lead electrode position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrocardiographic acquisition garment. The electrocardiograph acquisition garment may include: electrode holes penetrating the inner and outer surfaces of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment; the electrode plate is attached to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, wherein a first part of the front surface of the electrode plate is exposed to the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing through the electrode hole, so that the electrode plate can be contacted with the skin of a human body; and an electrode wire electrically connected to a second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

The electrocardiograph acquisition garment according to the second aspect of the present invention may further comprise: the connecting piece is arranged below the electrode hole and is attached to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment. The electrode wire is welded to the connecting member such that the second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet is electrically connected to the electrode wire by sufficiently contacting the connecting member with the second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

In the electrocardiographic garment according to the second aspect of the present invention, preferably, the connector may be a flexible circuit board, and the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board is in sufficient contact with the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet.

Preferably, the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board is provided with a through hole, and the electrode sheet is connected and fixed at the position of the through hole on the copper sheet in a punching mode, so that the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board is fully contacted with the second part on the front face of the electrode sheet.

Preferably, the area of the through hole on the copper sheet is set so that the copper sheet contact surface is sufficient to be in stable contact with the second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

The electrocardiograph acquisition garment according to the second aspect of the present invention may further comprise: and the foam is fixed at the position corresponding to the first part on the back of the electrode plate in an adhesive mode. The foam is arranged as follows: the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing are extruded to the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, so that the first part protrudes out of the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing from the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, and is in good contact with human skin.

The electrocardiograph acquisition garment according to the second aspect of the present invention may further comprise: and the other cloth is adhered and fixed on the back surface of the electrode plate.

In the electrocardiographic garment according to the second aspect of the present invention, preferably, the electrode sheet may be further configured to: detachably fixes in electrocardio collection clothing surface.

Preferably, the electrode sheet is further arranged to: bonding the peripheral part of the front surface of the electrode plate to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment in a sticking mode; the second part of the front surface of the electrode plate and the electrode wire are buckled on the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment in a buckling mode.

In the electrocardiographic garment according to the second aspect of the present invention, preferably, the electrode sheet is a dry electrode sheet, and the electrode sheet includes, from the back surface to the front surface: a silver paste layer; a carbon film protective layer; and a hot melt adhesive film layer. The carbon film protective layer and the hot melt adhesive film layer are missing at the position aligning to the electrode hole on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, so that the silver paste layer is directly exposed on the front surface of the electrode plate at the position to form a first part of the front surface of the electrode plate. The carbon film protective layer and the hot melt adhesive film layer are missing at the position aligned to be connected with the electrode wire, so that the silver paste layer is directly exposed on the front surface of the electrode plate at the position, and a second part of the front surface of the electrode plate is formed.

In the electrocardiographic garment according to the second aspect of the present invention, preferably, the electrode wire is a shielded wire.

In the electrocardiographic garment according to the second aspect of the present invention, preferably, the electrode sheet includes a limb lead electrode sheet and a chest lead electrode sheet.

Preferably, the position of at least one of the chest lead electrode pads is set at a position offset from the standard lead electrode.

Preferably, the position of at least one of the chest lead electrode pads is arranged to be offset from the standard lead electrode position in a direction away from the sternum.

As described above, the electrode sheet can be simply assembled on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment according to the assembly method of the present invention, and the electrode is in good contact with the skin of the user, without causing a problem of difficult measurement. The electrocardio acquisition clothing assembled in this way can carry out real-time electrocardio monitoring anytime and anywhere.

The detachable electrode can be assembled on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, thereby enabling frequent cleaning of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment.

The electrode sheet adopts the dry electrode, preferably adopts the conductive silver paste as a conductive functional part of the dry electrode, is more suitable for being used on wearable equipment compared with a wet electrode, and can better realize the function of real-time monitoring at any time and any place in daily environment or in dry environment.

The electrode wire adopts the shielding wire, so that the cost can be saved, the shielding effect can be realized, and the signal acquisition effect is better and more stable.

The position of the standard lead electrode can be adjusted according to the invention, so that the chest lead electrode on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment is closer to the skin, thereby avoiding difficult measurement.

Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are numbered alike, wherein:

fig. 1 is a schematic view of an electrocardiographic acquisition garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of an electrode assembly method of an electrocardiographic acquisition garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of an electrocardiograph acquisition garment with a flexible circuit board attached to the outer surface thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of an electrode pad attached to an outer surface of an electrocardiograph garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the front face of an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an exploded schematic view of an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the addition of foam to the back of an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of an assembled electrode portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the inside surface of an assembled electrocardiograph acquisition garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the exterior surface of an assembled electrocardiograph acquisition garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of a shielded wire according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a human chest bone and standard leads.

Detailed Description

The technical scheme of the present invention will be described in further detail below by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that although the ordinal terms "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various regions, layers and/or sections, these regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these ordinal terms. These ordinal terms are only used to distinguish one region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Accordingly, a first region, layer, or portion described below may be interchangeably termed a second region, layer, or portion; similarly, a second region, layer or section may also be interchangeably termed a first region, layer or section, and such naming does not depart from the teachings of the present invention, nor does it imply an actual necessary order unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In addition, relative terms such as "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," and the like are also used in this disclosure to describe one element, module, section's relative relationship to another element, module, section as illustrated. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the elements, modules, and portions in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if an element in the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the "upper" side of other elements would then be located on the "lower" side of the other elements. The exemplary term "upper" may thus include in fact both "lower" and "upper" orientations based on the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if one element in the figures is turned over, elements described as "lower" than other elements would then be located "upper" the other elements. The exemplary term "lower" may thus actually include both "upper" and "lower" orientations. Similarly, the relative relationship of "top" and "bottom" may be explained. In short, such relative terms do not imply an absolute positional relationship unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Electrode assembly method of electrocardiograph acquisition garment

An electrocardiographic acquisition garment (or electrocardiographic garment for short) according to the present invention is a wearable device. An electrocardiosignal acquisition module is arranged on the electrocardiosignal acquisition garment and is used for monitoring electrocardiosignals of a human body in real time. More specifically, an electrode for acquiring an electrocardiograph signal is mounted on an electrocardiograph acquisition garment.

As shown in fig. 1, an electrocardiographic acquisition garment 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a garment body (tight) 101. The clothing body 101 is provided with a plurality of lead electrodes, each of which gathers the collected signals to the electrode connection assembly 102 through electrode wires. In fig. 1, the electrode connection assembly 102 is shown as a plug that can be plugged into a multichannel recorder to process the acquired signals. The multichannel recorder may be housed in a pocket 103 of the garment body 101.

As shown in fig. 2, the electrode assembly method 200 of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment according to the embodiment of the present invention starts at step S210, where the electrode sheet is attached to the electrocardiograph acquisition garment outer surface.

In step S220, a first portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet is exposed to the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment through the electrode hole on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, so as to be capable of contacting the skin of the human body.

In step S230, a second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet is electrically connected to the electrode line.

It should be noted by those skilled in the art that the above steps of the present invention are not limited in order. That is, the present invention is not limited to attaching the electrode pad to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment before exposing the first portion of the front surface of the electrode pad and electrically connecting the second portion of the front surface of the electrode pad to the electrode wire. In practice, these three steps may be considered to be performed by simultaneous or synchronous operations, with no or no need to distinguish between sequencing. That is, when the electrode sheet is attached to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, on the one hand, care should be taken so that the first portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet is exposed to the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment through the electrode hole on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, thereby being capable of contacting the skin of the human body; on the other hand, the second portion of the front surface of the electrode tab is electrically connected to the electrode line.

In step S230 as described above, the second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet may be directly electrically connected to the electrode wire, or may be electrically connected by means of a connector. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrode wire is welded to a connector that is attached to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment. The connecting member is in sufficient contact with the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet to thereby achieve electrical connection between the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet and the electrode wire.

In a preferred embodiment, the connector may be a flexible circuit board (FPC). The flexible circuit board may be provided with a copper sheet that is in sufficient contact with the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet.

More specifically, for example, holes may be punched in copper sheets on a flexible circuit board. And (3) based on the holes on the copper sheets on the flexible circuit board, punching the electrode sheets, and connecting and fixing the positions of the holes, so that the copper sheets on the flexible circuit board are fully contacted with the second parts on the front surfaces of the electrode sheets. The fastening means for the perforated connection is generally a caulking means. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the manner in which the perforated connection is secured as described herein is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The detachable connection of the electrodes to the electrocardiograph acquisition garment will be described further below.

The area of the holes in the copper sheets on the flexible circuit board should be controlled so that the copper sheet contact surface is in sufficient contact with the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet.

In order to allow the first portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet to be more fully contacted with the skin of the human body in step S220 as described above, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, foam is fixed by adhesion at a position of the back surface of the electrode sheet corresponding to the first portion. Then, the foam is extruded to the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing through the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, so that the first part protrudes out of the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing from the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, and can be better contacted with human skin.

Whether or not a preferred embodiment of a connector (flexible circuit board), foam, or the like is used, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, additional cloth may be further adhesively secured to the back of the electrode sheet. If a flexible circuit board is used, the flexible circuit board is positioned between the electrode pad and the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, and is covered under another cloth. If foam is used, it can be covered with the electrode sheet by the additional cloth, although foam is provided on the back of the electrode sheet. Therefore, on one hand, the flatness of the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment is maintained, and on the other hand, the attachment of the electrode plate, the connecting piece, foam and the like to the electrocardiograph acquisition garment is prevented from being insufficiently firm.

Although the riveting manner of the electrode sheet, the flexible circuit board and the electrocardiograph acquisition garment is described in the above embodiment, if the electrode is convenient to detach from the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, the electrocardiograph garment body (tights) can be cleaned independently frequently, which is beneficial for long-term use of the electrocardiograph garment.

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the manner in which the electrode pads are attached to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment is designed as follows: the electrode plate is detachably fixed on the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment.

Specifically, the outer peripheral portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet may be adhered to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment by means of a hook and loop fastener (e.g., velcro). The common button is divided into two parts, namely a pair of parts, which are respectively arranged on the peripheral part (surrounding the electrode hole) of the front surface of the electrode plate and the electrocardiograph acquisition clothes (surrounding the electrode hole). The sticking buckle is firmly fixed and is convenient to detach.

On the other hand, the second part of the front surface of the electrode plate and the electrode wire can be buckled on the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment in a buckling mode by a buckle. Common buttons are also divided into two parts in pairs, for example, the two parts are respectively arranged on the second part of the front surface of the electrode plate and the electrocardiograph acquisition clothes, and electrode wires or connecting pieces (such as a flexible circuit board and a copper sheet on the flexible circuit board) are arranged between the electrode plate and the electrocardiograph acquisition clothes. Therefore, when the button is buckled, the electrode plate, the electrode wire (or the connecting piece) and the electrocardiograph acquisition garment are tightly connected together. The buckling mode is firm in fixation and convenient to detach.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that other means of removably securing the electrode pads to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment may be employed. For example, in other preferred embodiments, the removable attachment may be by means of a zipper, a clasp other than a clasp, disposable adhesive, magnetic attachment, or the like.

The purpose of setting the electrode plate to detachably fix on the electrocardio collection clothing is that when the electrocardio collection clothing is washed, especially washing machine washs, if still has connected electrocardio collection equipment such as electrode, the life of electrode can shorten, causes the condition that electrocardio collection equipment is no longer usable after washing many times even to make whole electrocardio collection clothing lose the function. And the detachable scheme of the invention solves the problems. Because the electrocardiograph collection equipment such as the electrode can be detached before the electrocardiograph collection clothes are cleaned, the electrocardiograph collection clothes can be cleaned by a washing machine without influencing the frequent cleaning of the electrocardiograph collection clothes, the electrocardiograph collection clothes can be cleaned conveniently, and the electrocardiograph collection clothes can be used for a long time.

Preferably during assembly

The electrode assembly method according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below by means of a specific assembly process.

In this particular assembly process, as described below, a flexible circuit board is employed as a connection between the electrode pads and the electrode wires.

As shown in fig. 3, a flexible circuit board 301 is attached to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, adjacent to the electrode holes 302. The flexible circuit board 301 has a copper sheet 303 thereon. Copper sheet 303 is shown in fig. 3 as having a circular region 304 for welding with an electrode wire (the electrode wire is not shown in fig. 3). The soldered flexible circuit board 301 may be adhered to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment for fixation.

The square area 305 of the copper sheet 303 is perforated, and holes are perforated through the flexible circuit board and the electrocardiograph garment. The area of the hole is not too large, enough copper sheet contact surface is needed to be reserved, otherwise, the electrode contact surface is too small, and the contact is unstable. This hole is also mentioned below.

Then, the electrode plate and the electrocardiograph acquisition garment are adhered and fixed.

As shown in fig. 4, the front surface (not shown) of the electrode sheet is adhered to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, completely covers the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, and covers the flexible circuit board already adhered to the electrocardiograph acquisition garment.

As shown in fig. 5, the first portion 501 of the front face of the electrode sheet is rounded for alignment with the electrode aperture. Thus, the first portion 501 of the front surface of the electrode pad is exposed from the electrode hole to the inner surface of the electrocardiograph garment, so as to be in contact with the skin of the human body. The second portion 502 of the front face of the electrode sheet is square for aligning with the square area 305 of the copper sheet 303 on the flexible circuit board 301 in fig. 3, so that holes can be punched in the second portion 502 and communicate with holes in the square area 305 of the copper sheet 303 for riveting.

The construction of the electrode sheet is explained below.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrode sheet is a dry electrode sheet. The wet electrode slice and the conventional disposable electrode slice, in particular to the electrode slice used by the electrocardiograph of the hospital, are stuck on the same part for a long time, and are easy to cause skin allergy phenomena such as redness and itching. The dry electrode plate adopted by the invention is contacted with the skin of a human body, so that allergic phenomena such as redness, itching and the like can not occur. Meanwhile, the dry electrode plate adopted by the invention has the same effect as the disposable electrocardiograph electrode plate commonly used by electrocardiograph.

As shown in fig. 6, the electrode sheet employed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes, in order from the back surface to the front surface: a silver paste layer 601, a carbon film protective layer 602 and a hot melt adhesive film layer 603. In the electrode slice, conductive silver paste is used as a conductive functional part of a dry electrode. The silver paste layer 601 may be composed of a TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer) substrate and silver paste.

As shown in fig. 6, the carbon film protective layer 602 and the hot melt adhesive film layer 603 are missing at positions aligned with the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, so that the silver paste layer 601 is directly exposed at the electrode pad front surface here, forming a first portion (501 in fig. 5) of the electrode pad front surface.

Further, as shown in fig. 6, the carbon film protective layer 602 and the hot-melt adhesive film layer 603 are missing at a position aligned with the square region 305 of the copper sheet 303 on the flexible circuit board 301 of fig. 3, so that the silver paste layer 601 is directly exposed at the electrode sheet front face here, forming a second portion (502 in fig. 5) of the electrode sheet front face. Those skilled in the art will recognize that since the flexible circuit board is used as the connector for connection to the electrode wires in the preferred embodiment, the alignment described herein with respect to the square area 305 of the copper sheet 303 on the flexible circuit board 301 of fig. 3 is in a more general sense, actually for connection to the electrode wires, and therefore, may also be considered as alignment with respect to the position of connection to the electrode wires. Alternatively, in a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, if no connection is used, the carbon film protective layer 602 and the hot melt adhesive film layer 603 may be missing at the location aligned with the electrode wire such that the silver paste layer 601 is directly exposed at the electrode sheet front surface here, forming a second portion of the electrode sheet front surface (502 in fig. 5) such that the second portion of the electrode sheet front surface is directly aligned with the electrode wire and electrically connected.

In the detachable fixing scheme of the electrode sheet and the electrocardiograph garment, various detachable fixing mechanisms such as sticking buckles, zippers and the like can be arranged on the hot melt adhesive film layer 603 of the electrode sheet or on the carbon film protective layer 602 and the hot melt adhesive film layer 603, namely, on the peripheral part of the electrode sheet, so that the electrode sheet is matched with the corresponding fixing mechanisms on the outer surface of the electrocardiograph garment, and the detachable fixing function is realized. On the other hand, on the second part (502 in fig. 5) of the front surface of the electrode plate, namely, on the silver paste layer 601, a buckling mechanism of a buckle is arranged to be matched with a corresponding buckling mechanism on the outer surface of the electrocardiograph garment, so that an electrode wire or a connecting piece (such as a flexible circuit board and a copper sheet on the flexible circuit board) electrically connected with the electrode wire is buckled together, and the detachable fixing function is also realized.

In this preferred assembly process of the invention, foam is used on the back of the electrode sheet as described above.

As shown in fig. 7, the foam is fixed to the back surface of the electrode sheet by bonding. The foam is extruded towards the direction of the electrode plate, and the first part (silver paste layer) on the front surface of the electrode plate can be propped against the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing from the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing and protrudes out of the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing by a certain thickness, so that the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing is better contacted with the skin of a human body. For example, the thickness of the foam is 3-5 mm, and the silver paste layer can be ejected out of the inner side of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment by about 2 mm.

In this preferred assembly process of the invention, additional cloth as described above is also used to cover the electrode pads.

Specifically, another cloth is adhered and fixed to the back surface of the electrode sheet.

After the garment is turned over, the holes punched in the copper sheet of the flexible circuit board in the previous step can be seen. The rest of the layers are also perforated, i.e. from inside to outside, taking this hole position as a reference: the electrocardiograph garment, the flexible circuit board (copper sheet), the electrode plate (silver paste layer) and the other cloth are all opened. Finally, the hole is riveted and fixed by plastic, so that the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board is fully contacted with the silver paste layer of the electrode sheet.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of an assembled electrode portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 8, the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, electrode wires, foam ejection portions, perforated rivet points, and additional cloth are shown at 801, 802, 803, 804, and 805, respectively. As can be seen from fig. 8: 1. the effect of the foam ejecting the first part of the electrode plate (803); 2. a riveting effect (804) of the second portion of the electrode sheet and the flexible circuit board; 3. covering effect of additional cloth (805).

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the inside surface of an assembled electrocardiograph acquisition garment according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 9, since the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment is in direct contact with the skin of the human body, there is no other apparent structure thereon except for the protruding circular electrode sheet (front first portion).

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the electrode aperture may be associated with the electrode pad and may be one or more, for example, disposed on the electrocardiograph garment according to the electrode placement location of a standard lead. However, other locations may be provided, such as shifting based on standard lead electrode locations, or increasing or decreasing the number of lead electrodes, as mentioned below.

In addition to the electrode parts, the arrangement of the electrode wires and the electrode connection assembly (102 in fig. 1), i.e. the multichannel recorder plug, are also shown in fig. 10. Referring back to fig. 1, the multi-channel recorder may be housed in a pocket 103 of the garment body 101. The multichannel recorder can also be arranged in a pocket of the outer clothing or in other places which are out of the way but convenient to view.

As shown in fig. 10, in order to avoid the interference of the electrocardiographic acquisition signal from the outside, a shielding wire may be used for the electrode wire.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of a shielded wire according to an embodiment of the invention. In addition, reference is also made to the depiction of electrode lines 802 in fig. 8. More specifically, as shown in fig. 11, electrode wire 1101 is secured to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph garment by wire mesh 1102 after exiting the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet.

The electrode wire adopts the shielding wire connected mode to have two advantages: first, can save the cost; secondly, can play the shielding effect, signal acquisition effect is better more stable.

Adjustment of lead electrode position

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the acquisition of the electrocardiographic signals is achieved by a plurality of lead electrodes. The plurality of lead electrodes may include a limb lead electrode and a chest lead electrode.

Returning to fig. 1. In the example of fig. 1, a total of 8 lead electrodes are shown. Although 8 lead electrodes are shown in fig. 1, those skilled in the art will recognize that the number of lead electrodes may be greater or lesser. As shown in fig. 1, the limb lead electrodes include a right arm electrode RA, a left arm electrode LA, a right leg electrode RL, and a left leg electrode LL; chest lead electrodes include electrode V2, electrode V3, electrode V4, and electrode V5.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrodes are all realized by dry electrode plates. The electrode sheet has a size of, for example, phi 2cm + -0.5 cm. As described above, the dry electrode sheet used in the present invention is equivalent in utility to the disposable electrocardiograph electrode sheet.

However, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the placement of the electrodes is not performed entirely using the locations of the standard lead electrodes. The electrode sheets can be classified into limb lead electrode sheets and chest lead electrode sheets according to the position distinction of the electrode sheets.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a human chest bone and standard leads. As shown in fig. 12, the standard lead has 10 lead electrodes, 4 limb lead electrodes RA, LA, RL and LL and 6 chest lead electrodes V1, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6, respectively. The width of the human sternum (bone in the vertical direction in fig. 12) varies from person to person, and is about 4 cm. In the standard lead, chest lead electrodes V1, V2 are placed between the fourth intercostal space on either side of the sternum. In other words, V1 and V2 are the two chest lead electrodes closest to the sternum among the standard lead electrodes.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the positions of the electrode pads of the respective chest lead electrodes may be as shown in table 1.

Table 1 electrode chip position dimensions (units cm)

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the position of at least one chest lead electrode pad (V2) is set at a position offset from the standard lead electrode position. Specifically, the position of at least one chest lead electrode piece (V2) is set to be offset from the standard lead electrode position in a direction away from the sternum. The at least one chest lead electrode piece (V2) is the at least one chest lead electrode piece closest to the sternum (V1, V2) in the standard lead electrode position.

As can be seen by comparing fig. 1 with fig. 12, the lead electrode position of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is slightly adjusted in the horizontal direction as compared to the standard lead. The main reason is that chest lead electrodes V1 and V2 in the standard leads are positioned at the left side and the right side of the sternum of the human body, and the position is the most concave position of the chest circumference. When the garment is worn on a human body, the garment is hardly in contact with the skin at this position. The electrode sheet of the wearable electrocardio electrode is fixed on clothes, the clothes are worn on a human body, and the electrode sheet is attached to the skin of the human body through the clothes. Therefore, if the standard lead position is directly applied to the electrocardiograph acquisition garment of the present invention, there may be a case where some electrode sheets (V1, V2) are not attached to the human body at all. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the lead electrode positions is trimmed in a lateral horizontal position slightly further from the sternum position to enable the electrode pads to be brought into engagement with the skin. The bonding is good, so that the signals of the leads can be clearly collected.

Referring to fig. 1 and 12, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, chest lead electrode V2 is located 4-6 cm to the left of the sternum (see table 1), and is offset in a direction away from the sternum compared to the standard lead electrode position.

It may also be noted that in the lead electrode shown in fig. 1, chest lead electrodes V1 and V6 are removed compared to the case of the standard lead, thereby forming an arrangement of 8-lead electrodes. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that in other embodiments, electrodes V1 and/or V6 may also remain. In the case of the remaining electrode V1, the position of the electrode V1 may be shifted in a direction away from the sternum compared to the standard lead electrode position, as in the case of the electrode V2.

In addition, the position of the right leg electrode RL in the limb lead electrode in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is also adjusted as compared to the standard lead. The adjusted RL electrode is arranged substantially bilaterally symmetric to the LL electrode. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that in other embodiments, the location of the RL electrode may also be the same as that shown in FIG. 12.

It should be noted that one important reason that the position of the individual lead electrodes may vary in a particular embodiment is: after the position of the electrode is changed, the electrode can be attached to the skin of a human body more tightly while the original electrode lead effect is not influenced, so that the effect of measuring and collecting signals can be better achieved.

Electrocardiogram acquisition garment

According to the above detailed description, it can be seen that the present invention provides a method for assembling an electrode of an electrocardiograph acquisition garment, and also provides a technical solution for the electrocardiograph acquisition garment.

An electrocardiograph acquisition garment according to the present invention includes: electrode holes penetrating the inner and outer surfaces of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment; the electrode plate is attached to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment; and an electrode wire electrically connected to a second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet. The first part of the front surface of the electrode plate is exposed on the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment through the electrode hole, so that the electrode plate can be contacted with human skin.

The electrocardiograph acquisition garment of the invention can also comprise a connecting piece which is arranged below the electrode hole and is attached to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment. The electrode wire is welded to the connecting member such that the second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet is electrically connected to the electrode wire by sufficiently contacting the connecting member with the second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the connector may be a flexible circuit board, as described previously. The flexible circuit board is provided with a copper sheet which is fully contacted with the second part of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

Through holes can be arranged on the copper sheets on the flexible circuit board. The electrode plate is also connected and fixed at the position of the through hole on the copper sheet in a punching mode, so that the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board is fully contacted with the second part on the front surface of the electrode plate. The area of the through holes in the copper sheet is set so that the copper sheet contact surface is sufficient to make stable contact with the second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

The electrocardiograph acquisition garment of the invention can also comprise foam, and the foam is fixed at the position corresponding to the first part on the back of the electrode plate in an adhesive mode. The foam is extruded to the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing through the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, so that the first part protrudes out of the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing from the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing so as to be better contacted with the skin of a human body.

The electrocardiograph acquisition garment can also comprise other cloth, is adhered and fixed on the back surface of the electrode plate and is used for covering the electrode plate, the flexible circuit board, foam and the like.

The electrode pads may be configured to be removably secured to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment. For example, the first part of the front surface of the electrode plate is adhered to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment in a sticking buckle mode; the second part of the front surface of the electrode plate and the electrode wire are buckled on the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment in a buckling mode. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the removable securement means may also include zippers, snaps, magnetic attachment, disposable adhesive, and the like.

The electrode sheet used in the embodiment of the invention is a dry electrode sheet. The electrode sheet comprises, from the back surface to the front surface: silver paste layer, carbon film protective layer and hot melt adhesive film layer. The carbon film protective layer and the hot melt adhesive film layer are missing at the position aligned with the electrode hole on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment, so that the silver paste layer is directly exposed on the front surface of the electrode plate at the position, and a first part of the front surface of the electrode plate is formed. The carbon film protective layer and the hot melt adhesive film layer are missing at the positions aligned to the electrode wires (in case of connectors, specific areas of the connectors are aligned, for example, square areas of the copper sheet of the flexible circuit board; in case of no connectors, the electrode wires can be directly aligned), so that the silver paste layer is directly exposed at the electrode sheet front surface at this point, forming a second part of the electrode sheet front surface.

The electrode wire can be a shielding wire and is fixed on the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment through a wire mesh after being led out from the second part of the front surface of the electrode plate.

The electrode slice used on the electrocardiograph acquisition garment comprises a limb lead electrode slice and a chest lead electrode slice.

The position of the at least one chest lead electrode pad is set at a position offset from the standard lead electrode compared to the standard lead. Specifically, the position of at least one chest lead electrode pad is set to be offset from the standard lead electrode position in a direction away from the sternum. Moreover, the at least one chest lead electrode pad is the at least one chest lead electrode pad closest to the sternum in the standard lead electrode position.

The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the examples described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly method of an electrocardiograph acquisition garment, comprising:

attaching an electrode plate to the outer surface of an electrocardiograph acquisition garment;

exposing a first part of the front surface of the electrode plate on the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing through an electrode hole on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing so as to be in contact with the skin of a human body;

The second part of the front face of the electrode plate is electrically connected with the electrode wire.

2. The electrode assembly method of claim 1, further comprising:

welding the electrode wire to the connection member;

attaching the connecting piece to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment;

the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet is electrically connected to the electrode wire by sufficiently contacting the connecting member with the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet.

3. The electrode assembly method according to claim 2, wherein the connection member is a flexible circuit board,

fully contacting the connector with a second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet further comprises: and fully contacting the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board with the second part of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

4. The electrode assembly method of claim 3, further comprising:

punching a copper sheet on a flexible circuit board;

and (3) based on the hole on the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board, punching the electrode sheet, and connecting and fixing the electrode sheet at the position of the hole, so that the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board is fully contacted with the second part of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

5. The electrode assembly method of claim 4, wherein punching the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board further comprises:

And controlling the area of the hole on the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board so that the contact surface of the copper sheet is enough to be in stable contact with the second part of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

6. The electrode assembly method of claim 1, further comprising:

fixing foam at a position corresponding to the first part on the back of the electrode sheet in an adhesive mode;

the foam is extruded to the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing through the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, so that the first part protrudes out of the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing from the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, and is in good contact with human skin.

7. The electrode assembly method according to any one of claims 1, 5, 6, further comprising: and (5) adhering and fixing the other cloth on the back surface of the electrode plate.

8. The electrode assembly method of claim 1, wherein attaching the electrode pad to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment comprises: the electrode plate is detachably fixed on the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment.

9. The method of assembling electrodes of claim 8, wherein attaching the electrode pads to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment comprises:

bonding the peripheral part of the front surface of the electrode plate to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment in a sticking mode;

The second part of the front surface of the electrode plate and the electrode wire are buckled on the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment in a buckling mode.

10. The electrode assembly method of claim 1, wherein the electrode sheet is a dry electrode sheet, and the electrode sheet comprises, from back to front:

a silver paste layer;

a carbon film protective layer;

a hot-melt adhesive film layer, wherein the hot-melt adhesive film layer is a heat-melt adhesive film layer,

wherein the carbon film protective layer and the hot melt adhesive film layer are missing at the position aligning to the electrode hole on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, so that the silver paste layer is directly exposed on the front surface of the electrode plate at the position to form a first part of the front surface of the electrode plate,

and wherein the carbon film protective layer and the hot melt adhesive film layer are missing at positions aligned to be connected with the electrode wires, so that the silver paste layer is directly exposed at the front surface of the electrode sheet at the positions, forming a second part of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

11. The electrode assembly method according to claim 1, wherein the electrode wire is a shielded wire.

12. The electrode assembly method of claim 11, wherein the electrode wire is fixed on the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment by wire mesh after being led out from the second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

13. The electrode assembly method of claim 1, wherein the electrode pads comprise limb lead electrode pads and chest lead electrode pads.

14. The electrode assembly method of claim 13, wherein the position of at least one chest lead electrode tab is set at a position offset from a standard lead electrode position.

15. The electrode assembly method of claim 14, wherein the position of at least one chest lead electrode pad is set to be offset from a standard lead electrode position in a direction away from the sternum.

16. The electrode assembly method of claim 15, wherein the at least one chest lead electrode piece is at least one chest lead electrode piece closest to the sternum in a standard lead electrode position.

17. An electrocardiograph acquisition garment comprising:

electrode holes penetrating the inner and outer surfaces of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment;

the electrode plate is attached to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, wherein a first part of the front surface of the electrode plate is exposed to the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing through the electrode hole, so that the electrode plate can be contacted with the skin of a human body;

and an electrode wire electrically connected to a second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

18. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 17, further comprising:

a connecting piece which is arranged below the electrode hole and is attached to the outer surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition garment,

wherein the electrode wire is welded to the connection member such that the second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet is electrically connected to the electrode wire by sufficiently contacting the connection member with the second portion of the front surface of the electrode sheet.

19. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 18 wherein the connector is a flexible circuit board and wherein a copper sheet on the flexible circuit board is in substantial contact with a second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet.

20. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 19 wherein the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board has a through hole, and the electrode sheet is also secured by punching at the through hole on the copper sheet so that the copper sheet on the flexible circuit board is in full contact with the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet.

21. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 20 wherein the through-hole in the copper sheet is configured to have an area such that the copper sheet contact surface is sufficient to make stable contact with the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet.

22. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 17, further comprising:

foam is fixed at the position corresponding to the first part on the back of the electrode plate in an adhesive mode;

wherein the foam is configured to: the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing are extruded to the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, so that the first part protrudes out of the electrode holes on the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing from the inner surface of the electrocardiograph acquisition clothing, and is in good contact with human skin.

23. The electrocardiograph garment of any one of claims 17, 21, 22, further comprising:

and the other cloth is adhered and fixed on the back surface of the electrode plate.

24. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 17 wherein the electrode pad is further configured to: detachably fixes in electrocardio collection clothing surface.

25. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 24 wherein the electrode pad is further configured to:

26. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 17 wherein the electrode pad is a dry electrode pad and the electrode pad comprises, from back to front:

a silver paste layer;

a carbon film protective layer;

27. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 17 wherein the electrode wire is a shielded wire.

28. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 27 wherein the electrode wires are secured to the electrocardiograph garment outer surface by wire mesh after exiting from the second portion of the front face of the electrode sheet.

29. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 17 wherein the electrode pads comprise limb lead electrode pads and chest lead electrode pads.

30. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 29 wherein the position of at least one chest lead electrode pad is disposed at an offset standard lead electrode position.

31. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 30 wherein the position of at least one chest lead electrode pad is disposed offset from a standard lead electrode position in a direction away from the sternum.

32. The electrocardiograph garment of claim 31 wherein the at least one chest lead electrode pad is at least one of the chest lead electrode pads nearest the sternum in a standard lead electrode position.