Flexible Graphene Electrodes for Prolonged Dynamic ECG Monitoring
Cunguang Lou,
Ruikai Li,
Zhaopeng Li,
Tie Liang,
Zihui Wei,
Mingtao Run,
Xiaobing Yan,
Xiuling Liu
Affiliations
Cunguang Lou
Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Electronic Information Engineering & Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
Ruikai Li
Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Electronic Information Engineering & Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
Zhaopeng Li
Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Electronic Information Engineering & Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
Tie Liang
Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Electronic Information Engineering & Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
Zihui Wei
College of Quality and Technical Supervision, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
Mingtao Run
College of Chemistry & Environment Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
Xiaobing Yan
Department of Electronic Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information Engineering & Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering of Hebei province, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
Xiuling Liu
Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Electronic Information Engineering & Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
This paper describes the development of a graphene-based dry flexible electrocardiography (ECG) electrode and a portable wireless ECG measurement system. First, graphene films on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates and graphene paper were used to construct the ECG electrode. Then, a graphene textile was synthesized for the fabrication of a wearable ECG monitoring system. The structure and the electrical properties of the graphene electrodes were evaluated using Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and alternating current impedance spectroscopy. ECG signals were then collected from healthy subjects using the developed graphene electrode and portable measurement system. The results show that the graphene electrode was able to acquire the typical characteristics and features of human ECG signals with a high signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio in different states of motion. A week-long continuous wearability test showed no degradation in the ECG signal quality over time. The graphene-based flexible electrode demonstrates comfortability, good biocompatibility, and high electrophysiological detection sensitivity. The graphene electrode also combines the potential for use in long-term wearable dynamic cardiac activity monitoring systems with convenience and comfort for use in home health care of elderly and high-risk adults.
