Development of a Life Monitoring System for the Elderly by Measuring the ECG Signal with Capacitive Electrodes

This paper presents the design and implementation of a novel ECG measurement system using capacitive electrodes tailored for elderly care. With the global aging population on the rise, healthcare systems are under increasing pressure to provide efficient and accessible monitoring solutions. Many elderly individuals prefer independent living, necessitating a reliable and straightforward health monitoring system. Current ECG measurement systems pose several challenges, including complex setups and the requirement for direct skin contact, which can be discomforting and impractical for continuous monitoring. To address these challenges, we propose a straightforward ECG monitoring setup embedded in the back of a chair with flexible electrodes, facilitating non-contact measurements. Our proposed system simplifies the monitoring process while maintaining accuracy, supported by a PCB design featuring a guarding ring technique. Through simulations, we validated the system's effectiveness, and preliminary prototypes show that the system effectively captures ECG signals across the critical frequency range, demonstrating its potential for comfortable and efficient health monitoring of the elderly.