Bio-signals investigation platform for academic research and education laboratories

Bio-potentials recorded via electrodes placed on the body surface, provide information about the behavior and the health status of the human body. Thus, it is used for the diagnosis and monitoring purposes. The measurement of these electric signals offers knowledge about the physiology of various organs. Developing a bio-potentials acquisition system is a challenge for both system and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) designers because the investigated signals are very small and the equipment designed to acquire them is sensitive to different factors: operating conditions, electrostatic discharge (ESD), power supply filtering, communication signals etc. The paper presents a first attempt to design and realize a bio-signals acquisition system, highlighting the problems encountered and offering possible solutions. Finally, the need for a very careful PCB design is a good challenge for those interested in advanced PCB development.