SAFETY REMINDER: In order to prevent the possibility of exposing your subject to dangerous levels of electric current, your subject must remain electrically isolated from 120VAC at all times. Use wireless transmission, battery powered amplifiers AND laptop computers (not plugged in to wall outlet), or medical grade galvanic isolation.
Many of the sources in the Conceptual Background and Design Considerations section include information on the need for galvanic isolation and possible design solutions. The sources in this section focus on the electrical safety considerations.
Publications:
Yeo Siok Been, Jamshed Namdar Khan, and Derek Chng Peng Hui. 2007. Designing medical devices for isolation and safety. EDN, May 24,2007.
Despite this being primarily a promotional piece for Avago optocouplers, it includes good basic information on optical isolation and how it protects subjects from potentially dangerous current levels.
Jones PL. 1973. Artifact and safety in ECG monitoring. Proc.Roy.Soc.Med. 66.
An older discussion of ECG electrical safety considerations and the effects solutions to safety issues have on the quality of the ECG signal itself.
Safety considerations when using optocouplers and alternative isolators for providing protection against electrical hazards. Avago White Paper. www.avagotech.com
Avago regulatory guide to isolation circuits. Avago Technologies. www.avagotech.com
Websites:
http://www.egr.msu.edu/classes/ece445/mason/files/3-Safety_ch14.pdf
http://ewh.ieee.org/r8/uae/Elect_Safety_Med_Equip.pdf
Power Point type presentations focusing on the electrical principles and safety considerations involved in the design of medical instrumentation. These include some discussion of possible design solutions.