Simultaneous monitoring of ecg & bioimpedance via shared electrodes

Abstract

A system for acquiring electrocardiograph (ECG) and bioimpedance (BI) data is disclosed. The system (an ECG/BI measurement system) can use as few as one or two pairs of electrodes, permitting wearable devices employing the ECG/BI measurement system to be made into smaller, more comfortable, and more inconspicuous formats, as well as decreasing potential failure points in the measurement of electrical signals conducted between the system and the user. The system can measure both ECG and BI data using at least one shared pair of electrodes. In some cases, ECG and BI data are separately extracted from a measured signal across a shared pair of electrodes, while another pair of electrodes is being driven with a supply current. In other cases, internal switching can automatically switch a pair of electrodes between ECG-measuring circuitry and BI-measuring circuitry, such as based on a clock signal or other trigger.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.