Screentec Oy, Finland
This project demonstrates the possibility to reduce the environmental impact of single-use medical electrodes by chancing the used materials to more sustainable ones.
ECG electrodes are used to measure patients heart signal in order to find out any possible abnormalities and possible disturbances in the activity of the heart. This is important information for healthcare professionals to give right treatment to the patient. In future when ratio between healthcare professionals and patients is getting worse the amount of remote healthcare and measurements made home will increase the quantity of electrodes used yearly. ECG electrodes contain fossil-based plastics and conductive silver paste which are both not very optimal materials because of their high environmental impact. By developing a electrode material stack which can achieve the same functionality level as the current electrodes it is possible to reduce the increasing burden humankind is causing to the planet earth. Same material stack with some adjustments can be used also for other biosignal measurements.
Functionality
Demonstrator bases on Movesense Oy‘s wireless wearable sensor for medical and sport use. The multi-use sensor has been commercially available for years. Sensor is used together with custom disposable medical electrode where the sensor is attached using snap buttons and this part of the product is our demonstrator, Sustainable ECG electrode. The Movesense sensor is attached to the Sustainable ECG electrode and the electrode is adhered with ist skin adhesive to users chest. Electrode starts to measure users ECG signal and transfers that information to an application where the signal can be observed, analysed and stored.
Benefits of the project
Motivation for this project is to make more environmental friendly disposable medical electrodes in order to cause as little burden to the planet earth as possible. Calculations not finalized yet, but it is also possible to have the sustainable ECG electrode processed with smaller expenses than current electrodes.
Target Industry
- Healthcare industry
Organic & Printed Components
- Conductive path
- Interconnection
- Printed electrode
Classical Components
The demonstrator is using the same wireless wearable sensor as what is in use for current Movesense electrodes. No other classical electronic components included to the demonstrator.