Method for producing a garment for electrical muscle stimulation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a garment (1) for electrical muscle stimulation, wherein electrodes (3) are arranged at least in one region of the garment (1) and can be subjected to electrical impulses by means of a control unit (7). A method for producing a garment (1) for electrical muscle stimulation, which ensures individual adaptation to the respective user, is characterized according to the invention by the following production steps: a) individually placing the electrodes (3) on the body (2) of the user of the garment (1); b) scanning the user's body (2) provided with the electrodes (3) to detect the user's body geometry; c) Creating a cutting pattern from the body geometry data determined in step b); d) computer-aided virtual assembly of the pattern to form the finished garment (1) and virtual fitting onto the user's body geometry determined in step b) to check the accuracy of fit; e) cutting the fabric material of the garment (1) and applying the electrodes (3) to the side of the fabric material adjacent to the body (2) of the user in accordance with the position data of the individual placement of the electrodes (3) determined in step b) and f) Wiring the electrodes (3) and sewing the fabric material to the finished garment (1). The invention further relates to a garment (1) produced according to this method for electrical muscle stimulation.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing a garment for electrical muscle stimulation, wherein electrodes are arranged in at least one region of the garment, which electrodes can be subjected to electrical impulses by means of a control unit.

[0002] Electrical stimulation can be used to stimulate muscles and / or nerves. Direct muscle stimulation involves directly stimulating muscle cells with electrical impulses via surface electrodes placed on the skin.

[0003] During nerve stimulation, a field strength with a sufficiently strong gradient is applied to trigger an action potential in the nerve, which travels along the motor neuron to the motor end plate of the muscle to be activated and also triggers an action potential there, which then causes a contraction of the muscle.

[0004] Various items of clothing equipped with electrodes for electrical muscle stimulation are known from practice, such as a vest from DE 10 2009 013 627 A1 or a belt from DE 20 2011 109 226 U1.

[0005] DE 10 2018 010 322 A1 discloses a method for the automated production of a textile fabric and for the automated production of a textile piece made from the textile fabric, wherein the sewing of the textile fabric is carried out by means of conductive threads.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2013 106 864 A1 discloses a garment for stimulating muscles, which can be made to measure to ensure a good fit.

[0007] Based on this, the object of the invention is to create a method for producing a garment for electrical muscle stimulation that ensures individual adaptation to the respective user.

[0008] The solution to this problem is characterized according to the invention by the manufacturing steps: a) individual placement of the electrodes on the body of the garment user; b) scanning the user's body equipped with the electrodes to capture the user's body geometry; c) Creating a cutting pattern from the body geometry data determined in step b); d) computer-aided virtual assembly of the pattern to form the finished garment and virtual fitting onto the user's body geometry determined in step b) to check the accuracy of the fit; e) cutting the fabric of the garment and applying the electrodes to the side of the fabric material adjacent to the user’s body in accordance with the position data of the individual placement of the electrodes determined in step b) and e) Wiring the electrodes and sewing the fabric material to form the finished garment.

[0009] Using the manufacturing method according to the invention, it is possible to produce a garment for electrical muscle stimulation that is individually tailored to the user's body.

[0010] The initial scanning of the user's body equipped with the electrodes, the virtual assembly of the pattern to create the finished garment, and the subsequent virtual putting on of this virtual garment onto the user's body scan, guarantee to a high degree that the finished garment fits perfectly on the user's body and that the electrodes are positioned precisely at the individually selected body parts to ensure effective stimulation of the targeted muscles.

[0011] According to an alternative embodiment of the manufacturing process, the modified manufacturing steps according to the invention are: e) Cutting the fabric material of the garment consisting of an outer layer and an inner layer and applying the electrodes to the outer side of the inner layer adjacent to the user’s body in accordance with the position data of the individual placement of the electrodes determined in step b) and f) Wiring the electrodes and sewing the fabric material of the outer layer to the inner layer to form the finished garment is proposed, enabling the production of a two-layer garment. When the garment is constructed from a two-layer fabric material, the cables required to connect the electrodes to the control unit can be arranged in the space between the two layers of fabric material.

[0012] Furthermore, the invention proposes that the fabric material of the garment be composed of different materials with different material properties, which are combined to form the finished garment. By using different materials, it is possible, for example, to use a more durable material for areas of the garment subject to particularly high levels of wear.

[0013] In a garment for electrical muscle stimulation manufactured according to the method according to the invention, the fabric material can be single-layered or double-layered.

[0014] The control unit consists of at least a sensor component and a battery component, with the individual components of the control unit being able to be placed at different locations on the fabric of the garment. Dividing the control unit into several components makes it possible to position the individual components on the garment in a space-saving manner and as conveniently as possible for the wearer. Advantageously, the control unit, or each component of the control unit, is arranged in at least one pocket formed in the fabric of the garment.

[0015] The fabric material of the garment is designed in sections to exert a compression effect on the wearer's body. This compression effect ensures, for example, that the electrodes are well and securely positioned on the skin in the area of the electrodes. Furthermore, the compression effect also provides a supportive function.

[0016] Closable openings are formed in the fabric of the garment. These openings can serve not only as toilet openings but also in the area of the electrodes to allow contact gel to be applied to the electrodes to improve signal transmission to the skin. These openings can be closed, for example, with a zipper or Velcro fastener.

[0017] The garment is designed as cycling shorts with a torso part and two leg parts, with the electrodes being arranged at least in the area of the leg parts.

[0018] In the garment designed as cycling shorts, the torso part and the two leg parts consist of two layers consisting of an inner layer that lies against the user's body and an outer layer that faces the environment, wherein the electrodes are arranged on the outer side of the inner layer that lies against the user's body and electrical leads to the electrodes are arranged in a space between the inner layer and the outer layer and wherein the fabric material of the inner layer and the outer layer is designed in sections such that it exerts a compression effect on the user's body.

[0019] The double-layered construction of the garment or cycling shorts allows the user to lay the electrode wiring without interference and protects the electrical connections from mechanical damage.

[0020] The electrodes are arranged in both the leg and torso areas in order to be able to stimulate as many muscle groups as possible required for the movement sequence via the electrodes.

[0021] To ensure good contact between the electrodes and the skin of the cycling shorts wearer, the inner and outer layers of the material are designed to compress the electrodes in sections. The compressive effect of the cycling shorts material presses the electrodes onto the user's skin, preventing the electrodes from slipping relative to the targeted muscle.

[0022] The sectional compression effect of the inner and outer layer materials is also applied to the upper part of the torso. This additional compression effect in the torso area provides stabilization in the hip area of the cycling shorts wearer, improving posture.

[0023] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which two embodiments of a garment for electrical muscle stimulation are shown only by way of example, without limiting the invention to these embodiments. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a garment for electrical muscle stimulation worn and Fig. 2 an enlarged schematic representation showing the two-layer structure of a garment.

[0024] The illustration Fig. 1 shows a garment 1 for electrical muscle stimulation on the body 2 of a user of the garment 1.

[0025] A garment 1 for electrical muscle stimulation within the meaning of the invention is any garment 1 that is worn with direct contact to the skin of the user of this garment 1, so that by way of direct muscle stimulation, muscle cells can be directly excited by electrical impulses via electrodes 3 arranged on the skin side of the garment 1 and resting on the user's skin.

[0026] Such garments 1 for electrical muscle stimulation may, for example, be cuffs for the upper and / or lower leg, cuffs for the upper and / or lower arm, shirts with or without sleeves and trousers with short or long legs.

[0027] The following describes an example of a garment 1 designed as cycling shorts 4 for electrical muscle stimulation.

[0028] The garment 1 designed as cycling shorts 4 essentially consists of a torso part 5 and two leg parts 6 formed integrally with the torso part 5.

[0029] In the illustrated cycling shorts 4, electrodes 3 are arranged both in the area of the two leg parts 6 and on the torso part 5, which can be subjected to electrical impulses by means of a control unit 7 in order to stimulate as many of the muscle parts of the user of the cycling shorts 4, to which the electrodes 3 are applied, required for the movement sequence, as possible to a muscle contraction.

[0030] The number of electrodes 3 depends entirely on the individual requirements of the user of the garment 1. The control unit 7 controls the electrodes 3 via different channels, with two electrodes 3 being controlled per channel. The electrodes 3 are fully washable and designed for continuous use.

[0031] Just as it is possible to individually adapt the number of electrodes 3 to be used to the needs of the respective user of the garment 1, it is of course also possible to arrange different types of electrodes 3, such as electrodes 3 for muscle stimulation and electrodes 3 for nerve stimulation, in a garment 1.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 7 is only schematically depicted as a single block. In practice, however, it is advantageous to divide the control unit 7 into several smaller components, namely at least one sensor component and one battery component, so that these individual, smaller components can be placed at different locations on the garment 1 in a space-saving manner.

[0033] The control unit 7, or the individual components of the control unit 7 for controlling the electrodes 3, are accommodated in a pocket 8 formed on the garment 1 or on the cycling shorts 4.

[0034] As continues from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, closable openings 9 can be formed in the fabric of the garment 1, particularly in the area of the electrodes 3, through which the wearer of the garment 1 can apply contact gel to the electrodes 3 to improve signal transmission to the skin. Likewise, an opening 9 can be provided as a toilet opening. The openings are closed, for example, using a zipper or Velcro fastener.

[0035] Likewise, the cycling shorts 4 shown can also be equipped with a zipper to make it easier to put on the cycling shorts 4 or with a band, in particular a silicone cord, to tighten the hip area.

[0036] The electrodes 3 are arranged on the side of the fabric material of the garment 1 that lies against the user's body 2.

[0037] To ensure good contact between the electrodes 3 and the body 2 of the user of the garment 1, the fabric material of the garment 1 is advantageously designed in the region of the electrodes 3 in such a way that it exerts a partial compression effect on the body 2 of the user of the garment 1. Due to the compressive effect of the fabric material, the electrodes 3 are pressed into physical contact with the user's skin, which in particular prevents the electrode position from slipping relative to the targeted muscle.

[0038] The sectional compression effect of the fabric material of the garment 1 is advantageously also implemented in other areas of the garment 1, such as the upper area of the torso section 5 of the cycling shorts 4. This additional compression effect in the area of the torso section 5 enables posture-improving stabilization in the hip area of the wearer of the cycling shorts 4.

[0039] Furthermore, it is possible for the fabric material of the garment 1 to consist of different materials with different material properties, which are combined to form the finished garment 1. By using different materials, it is possible, for example, to use a more durable material for particularly stressed areas of the garment 1.

[0040] The garment 1 for electrical muscle stimulation constructed as described above is manufactured in the following manufacturing steps: a) individually placing the electrodes 3 on the body 2 of the user of the garment 1; b) scanning the user's body 2 provided with the electrodes 3 to capture the user's body geometry; c) Creating a cutting pattern from the body geometry data determined in step b); d) computer-aided virtual assembly of the pattern to form the finished garment 1 and virtual fitting onto the user's body geometry determined in step b) to check the accuracy of fit; e) cutting the fabric material of the garment 1 and applying the electrodes 3 to the side of the fabric material adjacent to the body 2 of the user in accordance with the position data of the individual placement of the electrodes 3 determined in step b) and f) Wiring the electrodes 3 and sewing the fabric material to form the finished garment 1.

[0041] Using this manufacturing method, it is possible to produce a garment 1 for electrical muscle stimulation that is individually tailored to the user's body 2.

[0042] The initial scanning of the user's body 2 provided with the electrodes 3 as well as the virtual assembly of the pattern to form the finished garment 1 and the subsequent virtual putting on of this virtual garment 1 onto the avatar created from the user's body scan guarantee to a high degree that the finished garment 1, on the one hand, fits perfectly on the user's body 2 and, on the other hand, that the electrodes 3 are positioned exactly at the individually selected body parts to ensure effective stimulation of the muscles to be addressed.

[0043] The electrodes 3 used in manufacturing step a) are adhesive electrodes which are individually placed according to the requirements of the user of the garment 1 to be manufactured where the best impulse transmission to the muscle to be stimulated is achieved.

[0044] This placement of the adhesive electrodes is usually done in a medical supply store, but can of course also be done by a doctor.

[0045] The electrodes 3 later used in the finished garment 1 are electrodes 3 sewn or thermally bonded to the fabric material of the garment 1, which are designed for continuous use and are also fully washable.

[0046] The electrodes 3 are connected to the control unit 7 via electrical supply lines 10. The contact between the electrical supply lines 10 and the control unit 7 as well as between the individual components of the control unit 7 are designed as a detachable connection.

[0047] As an alternative to the previously described manufacturing method for producing a garment 1 with a single-layer structure of the fabric material, it is also possible to produce the garment 1 with a two-layer structure of the fabric material.

[0048] The illustration Fig. Figure 2 shows a purely schematic cross-section of the structure of a two-layer garment 1 for electrical muscle stimulation.

[0049] As from Fig. 2, the garment 1 is designed in two layers such that the garment 1 consists of an inner layer 11 lying against the body 2 of the user and an outer layer 12 facing the environment.

[0050] The electrodes 3 are arranged on the outer side 13 of the inner layer 11, which lies against the user's body 2. Electrical leads 10 to the electrodes 3 are arranged in a space 14 between the inner layer 11 and the outer layer 12, as is also shown in the figure. Fig. 2 can be seen.

[0051] The two-layer structure of the garment 1 allows the electrical supply lines 10 to be laid in the space 14 between the inner layer 11 and the outer layer 12 without any interference for the user. In addition to being comfortable for the user, this protects the electrical supply lines 10 from mechanical damage.

[0052] All previously shown Fig. The properties described in 1 also apply to the two-layer garment 1.

[0053] The production of the two-layer garment 1 differs from the previously described manufacturing process due to the modified manufacturing steps: e) Cutting the fabric material of the garment 1 consisting of an outer layer 12 and an inner layer 11 and applying the electrodes 3 to the outer side 13 of the inner layer 11 adjacent to the body 2 of the user in accordance with the position data of the individual placement of the electrodes 3 determined in step b) and f) Wiring the electrodes 3 and sewing the fabric material of the outer layer 12 with the inner layer 11 to form the finished garment 1.

[0054] As previously shown in the illustrations Fig. 1 and Fig. The garments 1 for electrical muscle stimulation manufactured and constructed as described in 2 are characterized by the fact that they ensure individual adaptation to the respective user. List of reference symbols 1 item of clothing 2 bodies 3 Electrode 4 cycling shorts 5 fuselage section 6 Leg part 7 Control unit 8 bag 9 Opening 10 electrical supply lines 11 inner layer 12 Outer layer 13 Outside (inner layer) 14 gap

Claims

[1] Method for producing a garment (1) for electrical muscle stimulation, wherein at least in one region of the garment (1) electrodes (3) are arranged, which can be subjected to electrical impulses by means of a control unit (7), characterized by the manufacturing steps: a) individually placing the electrodes (3) on the body (2) of the user of the garment (1); b) scanning the user's body (2) provided with the electrodes (3) to detect the user's body geometry; c) Creating a cutting pattern from the body geometry data determined in step b); d) computer-aided virtual assembly of the pattern to form the finished garment (1) and virtual fitting onto the user's body geometry determined in step b) to check the accuracy of fit; e) cutting the fabric material of the garment (1) and applying the electrodes (3) to the side of the fabric material adjacent to the body (2) of the user in accordance with the position data of the individual placement of the electrodes (3) determined in step b) and f) Wiring the electrodes (3) and sewing the fabric material to the finished garment (1). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by the modified manufacturing steps: e) cutting the fabric material of the garment (1) consisting of an outer layer (12) and an inner layer (11) and applying the electrodes (3) to the outer side (13) of the inner layer (11) lying against the body (2) of the user in accordance with the position data of the individual placement of the electrodes (3) determined in step b) and f) Wiring the electrodes (3) and sewing the fabric material of the outer layer (12) with the inner layer (11) to form the finished garment (1). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the fabric material consists of different materials with different material properties, which are combined to form a garment (1).

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