An ultra-low power pre-amplifier for pasteless electrocardiography

This paper describes the development of a very low-power pre-amplifier intended for use in pasteless-electrode recording of the human electrocardiogram. The expected input signal range is 100 /spl mu/V-10 mV from a lead II electrode configuration. The amplifier provides a gain of 43 dB in a 3 dB bandwidth of 0.05 Hz-2 kHz with an input impedance of 75 M/spl Omega/ and a CMRR of greater than 80 dB. Its gain and phase characteristics meet the recommendations of the AHA, making it suitable for clinical monitoring. The amplifier has a power consumption of 30 /spl mu/W operating from a 3.3 V battery and is intended for use in small, lightweight, portable electrocardiographic equipment and heart-rate monitoring instrumentation.