Towards true unipolar bio-potential recording: a preliminary result for ECG

Abstract

We present a bio-potential front-end capable of recording unipolar ECG leads without making use of the Wilson central terminal (WCT). The information contained in the new unipolar recordings may yield unique diagnostic information as it avoids the need to essentially subtract data or make use of the averaging effect imposed by the WCT. The system also allows a direct, real-time software calculation of signals corresponding to standard ECG leads for standard diagnosis. These calculated standard ECG leads have a correlation in excess of 92% with a gold standard ECG recorded in parallel. The circuit is wideband, compatible with both the standard and the dry electrodes, and of low power (requiring less than 20 mW powered at 12 V). It is therefore well suited for long-term applications.