Analog Devices' MAX86178 measures four vital signs through a three-system vital sign AFE, simplifying the design of wearable remote patient monitoring (RPM) Devices. The single-chip AFE combines three measurement systems (optical, ECG, and bioimpedance) to obtain four common vital signs: electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), heart rate (ECG or optical PPG), oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and respiration rate (using BioZ). The device allows synchronous optical PPG and ECG timing for derived health indicators.
By integrating three clinical-grade subsystems into one IC, the triple system AFE measures heart rate and SpO₂ by combining an optical PPG subsystem, a single-lead cardiac electronic system, And a biopotential and bioimpedance (BioZ) subsystem to measure respiratory rate, replacing the discrete implementation. It allows for tiny vital sign devices by mounting these functions into a 2.6mm x 2.8mm package.
"By integrating three healthcare subsystems on a single silicon chip, Analog Devices builds on its DNA and delivers this sensor fusion product," said Executive Business Manager, Maxim Integrated Industrial and Healthcare Business Unit, now part of Analog Devices Andrew Burt said. "This AFE has resonated with the medical community as it opens up new possibilities for chronic disease management, infectious disease diagnosis and remote monitoring. The MAX86178 enables small wearable devices that can improve healthcare by keeping people out of the hospital. service and reduce costs.”
