A new heart-monitoring system developed at Simon Fraser University (SFU) is set to reshape how clinicians measure and diagnose heart conditions. By combining 3D-printing with artificial intelligence, the research team has created a gel-free, reusable ECG solution designed for greater comfort, sustainability and diagnostic speed An approach that aligns closely with the growing demand for smarter, patient-friendly cardiac care.
At the core of the innovation lies a set of dry electrodes, 3D-printed using carbon-based conductive ink and embedded in a soft, flexible chest belt. Inspired by origami, each electrode forms a small suction cup that gently adheres to the skin. This eliminates the need for traditional gel-based, single-use ECG patches, which can dry out, detach and create unnecessary medical waste. According to project lead professor Woo Soo Kim of SFU’s School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, the new electrodes match the accuracy of conventional gel sensors while being easier to apply, clean and reuse. “They offer the same clinical quality without the mess or discomfort,” Kim explains.
Compact wearable device
The electrodes transmit heart-signal data to a compact wearable device equipped with an AI-powered preprocessing system. This software can pre-diagnose up to ten common arrhythmias, irregular heart rhythms, before sending the results securely to a physician for confirmation. By automating the first step of interpretation, clinicians gain faster access to actionable insights, potentially shortening the time to diagnosis for millions of patients.
A study published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics, led by SFU postdoctoral researcher Yiting Chen, highlights the system’s real-world potential. Cardiac-care nurses from Vancouver General Hospital tested the device and reported significant improvements in comfort, particularly during long-term monitoring. Today’s standard solution, the Holter monitor, requires patients to wear adhesive patches for 24 to 48 hours, patches that can irritate the skin, loosen over time and require reapplication. With the new system, restoring contact is as simple as pressing the origami cup to recreate the seal.
AI-driven assessment
Given that one in three people worldwide will experience a cardiac arrhythmia during their lifetime, and cases of atrial fibrillation are expected to rise by more than 60 percent by 2050, the need for scalable monitoring solutions is urgent. Kim believes that the technology’s combination of reusability, affordability and AI-driven assessment could significantly ease pressure on emergency departments, hospital wards and senior-care facilities. It also offers new opportunities for rural and remote communities, where access to diagnostic tools and cardiologists is limited.
Kim’s team is now refining the AI algorithm and working to reduce the size of the electrode by two-thirds. Their ultimate goal: a lightweight, eco-friendly and intelligent ECG system that brings high-quality cardiology diagnostics closer to every patient, regardless of location.
