Evaluation of Dry Electrodes in Canine Heart Rate Monitoring

Abstract

The functionality of three dry electrocardiogram electrode constructions was evaluated by measuring canine heart rate during four different behaviors: Standing, sitting, lying and walking. The testing was repeated (n = 9) in each of the 36 scenarios with three dogs. Two of the electrodes were constructed with spring-loaded test pins while the third electrode was a molded polymer electrode with Ag/AgCl coating. During the measurement, a specifically designed harness was used to attach the electrodes to the dogs. The performance of the electrodes was evaluated and compared in terms of heartbeat detection coverage. The effect on the respective heart rate coverage was studied by computing the heart rate coverage from the measured electrocardiogram signal using a pattern-matching algorithm to extract the R-peaks and further the beat-to-beat heart rate. The results show that the overall coverage ratios regarding the electrodes varied between 45–95% in four different activity modes. The lowest coverage was for lying and walking and the highest was for standing and sitting.

Dry contact electrodes performance in canine ECG

“…% PEDOT:PSS/deionised water solution for 1 h in order to enhance the electrochemical interface at the skin-electrode interface. The mechanical design of this particular electrode was identical to the one studied previously in [6]. Both the electrode itself, and the electrode embedded in the silicone rubber casting are shown in Figures 1. b) and 2. b) respectively.…”

“…One possible approach to this problem is to use dry electrodes. Although promising results have been reported for both human and animal applications [2,5,6], there are challenges in measuring ECG with dry electrodes. These are mainly associated with disturbances caused by motion artefacts, often resulting in the total loss of electrical contact between the electrode and the skin.…”

“…The performance of our ECG electrodes was assessed using a previously published methodology [6] in which the performance of three dry ECG electrodes was evaluated in terms of ECG coverage ratio. The coverage ratio was defined as the ratio between the time when the R-peaks were successfully recovered against the total testing time.…”

“…The coverage ratio value '1' represents 100% recovery of the Rpeaks and the value '0' represents 0% R-peak detection. [6]. Thus, the methodology and evaluation criteria applied in this study are the same as the ones presented in the previous study [6].…”

“…[6]. Thus, the methodology and evaluation criteria applied in this study are the same as the ones presented in the previous study [6]. Both of the electrodes evaluated in this study are modifications or improved versions of the ones presented in the previous study.…”