Detection of artifacts in bioelectric signals

An apparatus for detecting artifacts in a bioelectric signal, the apparatus comprising:

• signal generator means for supplying an AC excitation signal through a signal path formed between two electrodes of a first electrode set when said set is attached to a subject's skin surface in a measurement area of the subject's body;
• impedance measurement means for measuring an impedance signal indicative of the impedance of the signal path, the impedance measurement means comprising a second electrode set connectable to the measurement area;
• first biosignal measurement means for obtaining a bioelectric signal, the biosignal measurement means comprising a third electrode set connectable to the measurement area;
• first artifact detection means for determining at least one first time period during which the impedance signal fulfills at least one predetermined criterion;
• and
• second artifact detection means, responsive to the first artifact detection means, for defining at least one artifact-contaminated time period of the bioelectric signal.

An apparatus for detecting artifacts in a bioelectric signal, the apparatus comprising:

• a signal generator configured to supply an AC excitation signal through a signal path formed between two electrodes of a first electrode set when said set is attached to a subject's skin surface in a measurement area of the subject's body;
• a first measurement branch operatively connected to a second electrode set attachable to the measurement area, the first measurement branch being configured to measure an impedance signal indicative of the impedance of the signal path;
• a second measurement branch operatively connected to a third electrode set attachable to the measurement area, the second measurement branch being configured to measure a bioelectric signal from the subject;
• a first controller configured to determine at least one first time period during which the impedance signal fulfills at least one predetermined criterion;
• and
• a second controller, responsive to the first controller, configured to define at least one artifact-contaminated time period of the bioelectric signal.

A computer program product for detecting artifacts in a bioelectric signal, the computer program product comprising:

• a first program code portion configured to receive an impedance signal indicative of the impedance of a signal path between two electrodes attached to a subject's skin surface in a measurement area of the subject's body;
• a second program code portion configured to receive a bioelectric signal obtained through a set of electrodes attachable to the measurement area;
• a third program code portion configured to determine at least one first time period during which the impedance signal fulfills at least one predetermined criterion;
• and
• a fourth program code portion configured to define at least one artifact-contaminated time period of the bioelectric signal.