Validation of a Novel Wireless Electrocardiogram (ECG) Antenna Design

As technology continues to be integrated with human life, it takes an increasingly important role in the medical field. The need to accurately and quickly diagnose heart conditions is critical for a patient’s life. With wireless technology being miniaturized and used more on a daily basis, it is natural to merge the benefits of a wireless system into an Electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG is a read out of the performance of an individual’s heart. Medical doctors use the results of an ECG test to detect a myriad of conditions involved with the cardiac system. The wireless applications on an ECG system have many benefits including: a physically smaller system, additional comfort and mobility for the patient, and a reduced cost in equipment and materials. Addiotnally, resources are saved by needing fewer copper wires, and a digital output allows for a digital paperless readout. This paper presents improvements and validation of an electrically and physically small antenna for realization of the wireless ECG system. The antenna has been constructed, and tested and compared with simulation results. It is designed for use on the open ISM band of 2.4 GHz. The antenna is directive in nature to project the signal away from the body. Since the human body is made of mostly water, the directive radiation pattern allows for less interference by the conductive properties of a person using the system. Additionally, since the antenna is flexible in nature it is more ergonomic than rigid directive patch antennas that are considered for use with wireless ECG systems. The total volume of the antenna has a radius of 18 mm and a height of 8 mm (r = 0.143λ, h = 0.064λ) resulting in a kr of 0.93, where k is the wave number and r is the radius of a sphere that encloses the antenna. This size resembles wired ECG electrodes already being used in the medical field today