Analog Devices MAX86178 vital signs analog front-end

Analog Devices’ MAX86178 triple-system vital signs analog front-end (AFE) enables users to simplify the design of wearable remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices by measuring four vital signs at once.

The single-chip AFE integrates three measurement systems (optical, ECG and bioimpedance) to obtain four common vital signs: electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), heart rate (ECG or optical PPG), blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and respiration rate (using BioZ). It enables synchronised optical PPG and ECG timing for derived health metrics.

Medical device designers are looking to replace office-based health monitoring systems with smaller, lower power, wireless devices worn discreetly and continuously in the home or office. With three clinical-grade subsystems integrated into one IC, the AFE replaces discrete implementations by integrating an optical PPG subsystem to measure heart rate and SpO₂, a single lead ECG sub-system, as well as a biopotential and bioimpedance (BioZ) subsystem to measure respiration rate. It permits small vital signs devices by fitting those multiple functions into a 2.6 x 2.8 mm package.

Next-generation wearable RPMs need to operate at low power to enable smaller batteries or extend battery life for more convenient charging requirements. To enable ultralow-power features, the product provides each subsystem with configurable options to optimise battery life for specific use cases. Suitable for chronic disease management, contagious disease diagnosis and remote monitoring, the AFE enables small body-worn devices that could improve healthcare delivery and keep people out of the hospital.