How to Choose Electrodes for Long-Term HRV and ECG Measurements – Insights from José Näf (Pt1)

2025-04-11

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Dry electrodes often promise convenience, but why do they so often fail in long-term heart monitoring?José Näf breaks down the science and business behind electrode design for ECG and HRV tracking. In this episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen is joined by José Näf, founder of Nahtlos, to explore the challenges and innovations in electrode design for long-term ECG and heart rate variability monitoring. José shares his entrepreneurial journey from computer vision startups to building advanced medical wear...

Dry electrodes often promise convenience, but why do they so often fail in long-term heart monitoring?
José Näf breaks down the science and business behind electrode design for ECG and HRV tracking.

In this episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen is joined by José Näf, founder of Nahtlos, to explore the challenges and innovations in electrode design for long-term ECG and heart rate variability monitoring. José shares his entrepreneurial journey from computer vision startups to building advanced medical wearables in collaboration with EMPA, a Swiss materials research institute.

José details the strengths and weaknesses of wet gel, solid gel, and dry electrodes, and introduces a hybrid electrode technology designed for long-term use without sacrificing comfort or signal quality. From material compatibility to managing skin reactions and motion artifacts, this episode offers practical insight into real-world problems researchers and developers face in health tech.

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Explore our Wearables, Experience sampling method (ESM), Sleep, Heart rate variability (HRV), Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity article collections for insights on related articles.

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Refer to our article "Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Measurements" for an exploration of active and sedentary lifestyle assessment methods.

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Learn about actigraphy in our guide: Exploring Actigraphy in Scientific Research: A Comprehensive Guide.

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Gain foundational ESM insights with "Introduction to Experience Sampling Method (ESM)" for a comprehensive overview.

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Explore accelerometer use in health research with our article "Measuring Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior with Accelerometers ".

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For an introduction to the fundamental aspects of HRV, consider revisiting our Ultimate Guide to Heart Rate Variability.

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