Summary
Objectives: The aim of this study is to develop an optimal electrode system in the form of a
small and wearable single-patch ECG monitoring device that allows for the faithful
reconstruction of the standard 12-lead ECG.
Methods: The optimized universal electrode positions on the chest and the personalized transformation
matrix were determined using linear regression as well as artificial neural networks
(ANNs). A total of 24 combinations of 4 neighboring electrodes on 35 channels were
evaluated on 19 subjects. Moreover, we analyzed combinations of three electrodes within
the four-electrode combination with the best performance.
Results: The mean correlation coefficients were all higher than 0.95 in the case of the ANN
method for the combinations of four neighboring electrodes. The reconstructions obtained
using the three and four sensing electrodes showed no significant differences. The
reconstructed 12-lead ECG obtained using the ANN method is better than that using
the MLR method. Therefore, three sensing electrodes and one ground electrode (forming
a square) placed below the clavicle on the left were determined to be suitable for
ensuring good reconstruction performance.
Conclusions: Since the interelectrode distance was determined to be 5 cm, the suggested approach
can be implemented in a single-patch device, which should allow for the continuous
monitoring of the standard 12-lead ECG without requiring limb contact, both in daily
life and in clinical practice.
Keywords
Reconstructed electrocardiogram - 12-lead ECG - wearable patch device - artificial
neural networks