Inductance plethysmography device

Abstract

The invention relates to an inductance plethysmography device comprising: • a support (20) made of elastic textile designed to be closed on itself along two lateral edges (21, 22) in order to surround a portion of the torso of an individual, • at least one inductive coil (80) formed of an electrically conductive wire strand having two ends arranged on each lateral edge of the support, characterised in that a first end of the coil (80) comprises a first electrical connection element (41) electrically and mechanically connected to an electrically conductive male or female self-gripping element (51), and a second end of the coil (80) comprises a second electrical connection element (42) electrically and mechanically connected to an electrically conductive female or male self-gripping element (52) designed to engage with the electrically conductive male or female self-gripping element in order to make an electrical contact between the first and the second end of the coil (80).

Description

[0001] INDUCTANCE PLETHYSMOGRAPHY DEVICE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to an inductance plethysmography device and a method of manufacturing such a device.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] Inductance plethysmography is a tool for measuring variations in the volume of a mammal's trunk (human or animal), particularly used for respiratory and / or cardiac monitoring applications. The volume of the trunk is reconstructed using one or more sensors positioned to measure variations in mechanical compartments considered independent (generally the abdomen and the thorax).

[0006] The principle of this measurement is to wrap around the subject's trunk at least one inductive coil formed of one or more strands of electrically conductive wire. A variation in the volume of the trunk, due in particular to respiratory and / or cardiac activity, generates a variation in the inductance of each coil linked to the surface of the contour surrounded by said coil, the variation in inductance being measured by a sensor.

[0007] Typically, such a device is integrated into a textile support such as a vest or a band to be worn on the body in order to ensure its retention on the subject. The support must be both extensible and of sufficient elasticity to ensure a permanent mechanical coupling between the band and the part of the subject's trunk which is surrounded, so that any variation in the section of the subject's trunk generates an equivalent variation in the surface surrounded by the coil. The mechanical stress (in particular pressure and rigidity) imposed on the subject wearing the textile support must be minimal so as not to disturb the physiological phenomena measured and not to induce discomfort. The behavior of the subject, in particular attempts to remove such a textile support and / or manipulations out of curiosity of the subject wearing the garment or other individuals, for example conspecifics in the case of a plurality of animals kept together, must be taken into account.Thus, for animals and young children and, more broadly, any subject unable to consent to wearing the vest, the support must be designed to prevent and protect against interactions with other animals (pulling, biting, attempted removal, etc.) and to ensure that it cannot be removed without the intervention of an operator. Document FR 3094628 A1 discloses an inductive plethysmography vest in the form of a closed tube for a small mammal. Such a vest is only suitable for small mammals weighing less than 6 kg, such as lagomorphs. For reasons related to the morphology, the greater force and the more complex handling of the subjects, it is difficult to put such a vest on the trunk of a larger animal or of a different species, and to keep it in place.

[0008] Furthermore, such a vest is not suitable for subjects undergoing a large increase or decrease in trunk perimeter, as is the case, for example, for young animals in the growth phase and / or in the case of significant weight gain or loss induced by a pathology. In the case of rapid weight gain, the vest may compress the subject, which causes discomfort and may lead to injuries and attempts to destroy and / or remove the vest, as well as a disruption of the measured physiological phenomena. Conversely, in the case of weight loss, the vest is not adjusted to the trunk and the poor mechanical coupling does not allow reliable measurements. Since the elasticity of the vest is limited by both the textile support and the conductive thread used for their production, a multitude of sizes will be necessary in the case of repeated monitoring on an individual with a large increase or decrease in trunk perimeter.

[0009] STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An aim of the invention is to provide an inductive plethysmography device making it possible to adapt the size according to the weight of the individual wearing it even in the event of a significant increase or decrease in the perimeter of the trunk, for example for a young animal in the growth phase, or in the event of significant weight gain or loss due to a pathology.

[0011] To this end, the invention proposes an inductance plethysmography device comprising:

[0012] • an elastic textile support adapted to be closed on itself along two lateral edges to surround at least part of the trunk of an individual,

[0013] • at least one inductive turn formed from a strand of electrically conductive wire arranged in the form of waves between the two lateral edges so as to extend along the circumference of the individual's trunk, the turn having two ends arranged on each lateral edge of the support, characterized in that a first end of the turn comprises a first electrical connection element in electrical connection with the strand of electrically conductive wire, said first electrical connection element being in electrical and mechanical connection with an electrically conductive self-gripping male or female element, and a second end of the turn comprises a second electrical connection element in electrical connection with the strand of electrically conductive wire,said second electrical connection element being in electrical and mechanical connection with an electrically conductive self-gripping female or male element adapted to electrically and mechanically engage with the electrically conductive self-gripping male or female element to establish electrical contact between the first and second ends of the coil.,

[0014] Advantageously, each electrical connection element is a printed circuit or an electrically conductive rigid plate.

[0015] Preferably, the device comprises a plurality of self-gripping female or male elements in electrical and mechanical connection with the second electrical connection element, said self-gripping female or male elements being spaced apart by a distance between two successive self-gripping elements, such that each self-gripping female or male element defines a different circumference of the turn when said self-gripping female or male element is engaged with the self-gripping male or female element electrically and mechanically linked to the first electrical connection element.

[0016] The first electrical connection element and the second electrical connection element may each have a respective rigid support.

[0017] Each self-gripping male or female element can be assembled to the first electrical connection element or to the second electrical connection element by an electrically conductive glue.

[0018] Advantageously, each self-gripping male or female element is assembled to the first electrical connection element or to the second electrical connection element by at least one rivet. Said rivet may be electrically conductive.

[0019] In some embodiments, each self-gripping element and each respective electrical connection element are arranged between two rigid plates connected by said rivet.

[0020] Preferably, each self-gripping element and / or the textile support is arranged between a rigid plate and the electrical connection element, the rigid plate and the electrical connection element being mechanically and electrically connected by said rivet.

[0021] Advantageously, the plethysmography device further comprises at least one pair of hooks arranged on each lateral edge of the support so as to mechanically connect said lateral edges to close the support. In certain embodiments, the device further comprises a removable elastic textile covering piece arranged to cover the self-gripping male and / or female elements when the coil is closed.

[0022] Preferably, the textile support comprises at least one pair of hooks arranged on each side edge and the covering piece comprises at least one pair of loops arranged to be hooked onto said hooks so as to fix the covering piece to the support and to cover the side edges of the support.

[0023] Advantageously, the covering part further comprises a pocket configured to contain a measuring device electrically connected to the coil.

[0024] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an inductive plethysmography device for a human or animal mammal as described above, comprising o providing the elastic textile support, o forming at least one inductive coil of an electrically conductive wire by fixing said wire in the form of waves along the circumference of the support, said coil having two ends arranged on each lateral edge of the support, o assembling each end of the coil with a printed circuit strip, so as to establish an electrical connection between the coil and a conductive track of the printed circuit strip, o assembling each electrical connection element with a respective self-gripping male or female element.

[0025] Preferably, the method further comprises assembling at least one electrical connection element with at least one additional self-gripping element, said self-gripping elements being spaced apart by a distance extending over a portion of the circumference of the device.

[0026] Preferably, the method comprises providing a covering piece comprising a plurality of loops, and assembling the support with a plurality of hooks on both sides of the opening of said support, said loops being configured to receive the hooks so as to fix the covering piece to the support. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 shows the outer face of an inductance plethysmography device according to the invention.

[0029] Figure 2 shows the inner face of an inductance plethysmography device according to the invention.

[0030] Figure 3 shows an inductance plethysmography device worn by an animal.

[0031] Figure 4A and Figure 4B illustrate the principle of closing each inductance loop.

[0032] Figure 5 shows a printed circuit board providing electrical contact between the electrical wire and snap fasteners.

[0033] Figure 6A and Figure 6B illustrate the riveting of snap fasteners with a printed circuit board and a rigid plate.

[0034] Figure 7A and Figure 7B illustrate a first embodiment of riveting a gripping strip with a printed circuit and a pair of rigid plates.

[0035] Figure 70 and Figure 7D illustrate a second embodiment of riveting a gripping strip with a printed circuit on a rigid support and a rigid plate.

[0036] Figure 7E illustrates the bonding of an elongated gripping strip.

[0037] Figure 7F illustrates a set of gripping strips glued to a printed circuit board and a textile support.

[0038] Figure 8 shows a cover piece including a pocket for a power supply.

[0039] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Figure 1 shows the outer face of a plethysmography device 10 according to the invention. This device is intended to be worn by a mammal, which may be a human or an animal. In the remainder of the text, the term "individual" will generally refer to the subject wearing the device. The terms "front", "anterior" or "upper" will be used interchangeably to designate an element located on the side of the individual's head (the latter may be a biped or a quadruped), and "rear", "posterior" or "lower" to an element located on the opposite side.

[0041] The device comprises a support 20 made of an elastic textile, for example a knitted textile or a fabric comprising fibers made of an elastic material such as elastane.

[0042] The size and shape of the support 20 are adapted to the species of mammal intended to wear the device 10. The elasticity of the support 20 ensures a certain comfort of wearing the device 10 and a good hold on the individual. It also makes it possible to compensate within certain limits for differences in morphology and size between different individuals, or of the same individual whose morphology changes over time.

[0043] In some cases, supports 20 may be provided in different sizes to be chosen depending on the weight and circumference of the individual wearing the device 10.

[0044] Textile support

[0045] The textile support 20 typically comprises an upper edge 23 intended to surround the trunk near the neck of the individual wearing the plethysmography device 10, a lower edge 24 intended to surround the trunk of the individual closer to the hind or lower limbs, and two lateral edges 21, 22. The term "length" denotes the dimension of the support extending between the upper edge and the lower edge and the term "width" denotes the dimension extending between the two lateral edges.

[0046] The support 20 is adapted to be closed on itself along said lateral edges 21, 22 to surround at least a portion of the individual's trunk. Therefore, when the support is placed on the individual, the length of the support extends substantially parallel to the individual's spine, and the width of the support extends along the circumference of the individual's trunk.

[0047] Typically, the support 20 surrounds an upper portion of the trunk, for example the torso. The support 20 may comprise opening and closing elements 25, such as pairs of hooks or hooks and loops. These opening and closing elements 25 may be arranged along the side edges 21, 22 or only on certain areas, for example on the outer face of the upper edge 23. This makes it possible to fix the support on the trunk of the individual and possibly to prevent the individual from removing the support 20 for example by passing the head through the opening created by the upper edge 23 surrounding the neck. Advantageously, the textile support 20 comprises openings 28 adapted to pass the forelimbs or upper limbs of the individual intended to wear the device 10. The use of such openings 28 makes it possible to hold the support in place and, in the case of an animal, to prevent the individual from removing it alone or with the help of fellow animals.

[0048] The support 20 may include a padded portion 26 between the openings 28 for placement in contact with the mammal's chest, and / or a padded portion 27 at the upper edge. Such padded portions 26, 27 increase comfort when the support 20 is worn, and stabilize the support 20 on the individual's trunk to hold it firmly in place without causing areas of pressure or pain.

[0049] In some embodiments, the support is made of a fabric strip without openings for limbs. Such an arrangement is often perceived as more comfortable by a subject consenting to the plethysmography examination, for example a human adult. It is also simpler to produce.

[0050] Inductive coils

[0051] With reference to Figure 3, the plethysmography device 10 further comprises at least one inductive coil 80 intended to surround the trunk of the individual.

[0052] Each inductive turn 80 is formed from an electrically conductive wire strand 81, such as a copper wire, having electrical insulation. The conductive wire strand 81 is arranged in wavelets around the circumference of the textile support. Referring to Figure 2 which shows the inner face of the device, the wire strand 81 is held in this shape for example by a textile tunnel 29 sewn onto the inner face of the support 20 and suitable intermediate seams. The two ends of the conductive wire 81 are arranged near the respective side edges 21, 22 of the textile support 20. The wavelet shape adapts to variations in the diameter of the trunk surrounded by the support 20, and thus allows for accurate measurements of the surface area surrounded by the turn 80. The turns 80 further comprise an electrical connector 82 arranged at the end of the electrically conductive wire strand 81.Such a connector 82 is adapted to electrically and mechanically engage with a connector of a measuring device. All turns of a plethysmography device are connected to the measuring device to ensure synchronous recording of measurements.

[0053] The ends of the conductive wire strand, which are not arranged in waves and which extend beyond the fabric support, are not intended to surround the individual's trunk. Therefore, the aim is to minimize the surface area surrounded by these ends and to prevent any variation in the residual surface area in this area in order to improve the accuracy of the measurements. For this purpose, the ends of the conductive wire 81 are twisted.

[0054] Preferably, the device comprises between 1 and 4 turns. The use of a plurality of turns 80 results in redundancy of measured data, thus making it possible to increase the accuracy and reliability of the measurements.

[0055] Each inductive turn 80 comprises at each of its ends an electrical connection element 41, 42. Typically, such an electrical connection element is a printed circuit. The electrical connection element 41, 42 is electrically connected to the strand of conductive wire, for example by soldering. Typically, the printed circuit 41, 42 comprises a printed circuit support, one or more electrical contact areas 45 allowing an electrical connection with a connecting element 52 which will be described below, and at least one conductive track configured to establish an electrical contact between the strand of conductive wire 81 and the electrical contact area(s) 45. In a preferred embodiment, the entire surface of the printed circuit is electrically conductive in order to obtain a low impedance and good resistance to possible twisting and / or shearing of the printed circuit.Each support 41, 42 is held near the lateral edge 21 or 22 of the textile support 20 by one or more seams. The contact areas 45 and the conductive tracks or surfaces are printed on the printed circuit supports 41, 42 made of an electrically conductive material.

[0056] Alternatively, the electrical connection element 41, 42 is a rigid electrically conductive plate, for example a metal plate.

[0057] Typically, a first end of each turn 80 arranged on a first lateral edge 21 of the textile support comprises a printed circuit 41 having a single electrical contact zone 45. This first printed circuit 41 is arranged on a preferably rigid support to facilitate the opening and closing of the connecting elements which will be described below.

[0058] In some embodiments, a second end of each turn arranged on the second lateral edge 22 of the textile support 20 comprises a printed circuit 42 having a plurality of electrical contact areas 45. This second printed circuit 42 is arranged on a flexible support to adapt to the shape of the individual's trunk when the device is worn. Typically, the support of the printed circuit 42 arranged in proximity to the second lateral edge 22 is in the form of an elongated strip along an axis P perpendicular to the lateral edge 22 of the textile support 20 and tangential to the perimeter of the mammal's trunk when the plethysmography device 10 is worn. The electrical contact areas 45 are arranged along the axis P of the support and spaced apart by a distance d between centers of two adjacent contact areas 45.

[0059] In some embodiments, the printed circuits on the two ends of a turn 80 comprise several contact zones 45 along an axis P perpendicular to the respective lateral edge 21, 22 of the textile support 20. In this case, the two printed circuits 41, 42 comprise flexible supports capable of following the shape of the individual's trunk.

[0060] Connecting elements

[0061] With reference to Figure 4A, each printed circuit 41, 42 comprises at least one electrically conductive connecting element 51, 52. Each connecting element 51, 52 is arranged on a contact area 45 of a printed circuit support and in mechanical and electrical contact with the contact area 45. For example, the connecting element 51 can be soldered to the rigid printed circuit 41, and the connecting element 52 can be riveted to the flexible printed circuit 42. The connecting elements 51, 52 can also be mechanically fixed to the printed circuits 41, 42 by another technique, for example gluing, or by soldering also in the case of a flexible printed circuit. The electrical contact between the connecting element 51, 52 and the contact zone 45 of the printed circuit can be maintained by riveting ensuring good contact between the electrically conductive elements, or for example by welding, gluing or sewing.Advantageously, the connecting elements 52 are riveted to the flexible printed circuit supports 42, ensuring a good mechanical connection and contact between the electrically conductive surfaces. In addition, the electrical contact between the connecting elements 52 and the contact areas 45 can be ensured by soldering or by applying an electrically conductive adhesive.

[0062] Referring to Figure 4A, when the plethysmography device 10 is worn by an individual, the textile support 20 and the inductive coils 80 surround the trunk of said individual. It is necessary to adjust the circumference of the device so that the coils 80 are kept close to the trunk, and the wavelets are in their zone of elasticity, preferably under slight tension. Such an arrangement of the coils makes it possible to follow variations in the volume of the trunk that one wishes to detect by the device, for example a rapid variation in volume due to the cardio-respiratory activity of the individual.

[0063] While the device 10 is being worn, the connecting elements 51, 52 on the printed circuit supports 41, 42 at both ends of each turn 80 are mechanically engaged to ensure proper closure of the device 10 around the trunk of the mammal. Thus, the single connecting element 51 arranged on the rigid support 41 is typically engaged with one of the connecting elements 52 arranged on the flexible strip arranged at the opposite end of the same turn 80. The fact that one of the printed circuit supports is made of a rigid material facilitates the engagement and separation of the connecting elements. In particular, it facilitates handling and improves the distribution of forces if the connecting elements are mechanically engaged, thus avoiding the tearing of the connecting elements when they are separated.At the same time, the connecting elements 51, 52 arranged on the two respective ends of each turn are electrically engaged, thus closing the electrical circuit of each turn 80.

[0064] When the printed circuit strips 42 on a side edge 22 comprise several connecting elements 52 spaced apart by a distance d, the plethysmography device 10 can be closed in several positions, that is to say, the connecting element 51 can be selectively connected to one of the connecting elements 52 arranged on the printed circuit comprising several contact zones 45. This makes it possible to electrically close the turn 80 in several positions, each position corresponding to a different circumference of the turn 80. Thus, the circumference of the turn 80 can be chosen according to the volume of the trunk of the mammal carrying the device 10. When the weight and volume of the mammal has increased or decreased significantly, the perimeter of the turn 80 can be adjusted by separating the connecting elements 51, 52 and connecting the connecting element 51 with another connecting element 52 on the printed circuit comprising several contact zones 45.

[0065] Referring to Figure 4B, the connecting elements may be a male or female element 51 of a hook-and-loop strip and a female or male element 52 of a hook-and-loop strip. While the device is being worn, the hook-and-loop strip elements are electrically and mechanically engaged along the length of the hook-and-loop strip element 52. The electrical connection between the printed circuit and the hook-and-loop strip may be achieved by a rivet 53A, 53 and / or an electrically conductive adhesive.

[0066] For example, with reference to FIG. 5, the single connecting element 51 of the first end of the turn 80 can be connected to any of the connecting elements 52A, 52B, 52C arranged on the printed circuit 42 of the second end of the same turn 80. When the connecting element 51 of the first end is connected to the element 52A closest to the conductive wire of the second end, the circumference of the turn 80 is the smallest. When this circumference is smaller than the circumference of the trunk 70 of the mammal, the single connecting element 51 of the first end can be connected to a second connecting element 52B of the second end and thus adapt the size of the device. In a third step, the connecting element 41 of the first end can be connected to the third connecting element 53C of the second end to further increase the circumference of the turn 80.The number of connecting elements 51, 52 of the two ends may be different from the examples shown. Typically, the number of connecting elements is between 1 and 10.

[0067] When the circumference of all the coils 80 included in the plethysmography device 10 is adjusted by connecting the connecting elements corresponding to the diameter of the trunk 70, the device 10 is thus adapted to the volume of the trunk 70 of the individual. In the same way, the circumference can be adjusted when each of the two ends of a coil 80 comprises several connecting elements 51, 52.

[0068] The distance d between the connecting elements 52 is chosen so that the possible circumferences are close enough for reliable and accurate measurements to be possible regardless of the circumference of the trunk 70. The intermediate circumferences of the trunk are taken into account by the elasticity of the fabric and the wavelet arrangement of the strand of the electrically conductive wire 81.

[0069] In other embodiments, each printed circuit is replaced by an electrically conductive plate.

[0070] Snap fasteners

[0071] In a first embodiment, the connecting elements 51, 52 are male elements and female elements of snap fasteners. In this case, the female elements are typically arranged on the printed circuits 41 on a rigid support near the first lateral edge 21 of the textile support 20, and the male elements on the printed circuit strips 42 on a flexible support near the other lateral edge 22 of the textile support 20 opposite the first lateral edge 21. In order to ensure good electrical contact between the connecting elements 51, 52, the snap fasteners are made of steel with a coating of an electrically conductive material, or of an electrically conductive material, for example nickel, copper, brass or another electrically conductive alloy.

[0072] Each male or female element of a snap fastener is riveted to a contact area 45 on the printed circuit board support by means of a rivet head 53. The rivet head 53 is inserted into a perforation of the support from the face opposite the face comprising the contact area 45 and can pass through a central orifice of the male element of the snap fastener. Advantageously, in order to ensure good retention of the riveting and to prevent the snap fasteners from being torn off when they are opened, a rigid plate 54 is added between the head of the rivet 53 of the snap fastener and the flexible PCB support. The addition of such a plate 54 facilitates the connection, disconnection and gripping of the snap fasteners. The rigid plate 54 is typically circular and comprises a perforation placed directly under the perforation of the printed circuit board support to insert the head of the rivet 53 simultaneously into both perforations.The rigid plates being independent of each other, a certain flexibility of the device is thus preserved.

[0073] Figure 6A illustrates the arrangement of a male or female element 52 of a snap fastener before riveting. A rivet head 53 is inserted, for example from below, into a rigid plate 54 which is for example made of a rigid plastic. The support of the printed circuit 42 is then pierced or the rivet head 53 is inserted into a perforation already in place. Above the PCB support 42, the male or female element 52 of the snap fastener is arranged concentrically above the rivet head 53 which will subsequently be connected to the male or female element 52 by riveting. Such riveting is carried out on the flexible printed circuit 42.

[0074] Figure 6B illustrates the attachment of a male or female element 52 of a snap fastener to a printed circuit support 42 after riveting. The rigid plates 54 are firmly held against the support 42 by the rivet head 53 and the male or female element 52 of the snap fastener. Electrically conductive soldering or bonding can ensure a good electrical connection between the male or female element 52 of the snap fastener and the contact area 45 arranged on the printed circuit support 42.

[0075] The centers of the snaps are spaced apart by a distance d which is typically the same distance between all adjacent snap centers. The distance d can be adjusted to vary the range of perimeters of the trunk 70 that can be enclosed by the coils 80.

[0076] The printed circuit board support 42 is secured to the textile support 20 by stitching 44 along the long edges of the support 42. The dimensions of the printed circuit board support 42, the rigid plates, and the snap fasteners are chosen to leave sufficient space between each snap fastener and each edge of the support 42 to at least pass a presser foot of a sewing machine around the snap fastener to sew the printed circuit board support to the fabric support in the areas arranged between the snap fasteners, so that the sewing thread can pass close to the snap fastener and does not need to be cut. Connection by self-gripping strips

[0077] In a second embodiment, the connecting elements 51, 52 are male and female attachment elements of an electrically conductive self-gripping strip system (Velcro™ type), for example made of a textile or a polymer comprising metal threads or particles or a metal coating.

[0078] Such a male hooking element comprises a face comprising hooks, and a female hooking element comprises a velvet-like face comprising loops into which the hooks of the male element can engage.

[0079] In this case, with reference to Figures 7A to 7C, the connecting element arranged on the printed circuit strip may be a single elongated self-gripping strip 52A, extending along the axis P of the printed circuit strip. Thus, the circumference of the respective turn is continuously adjustable by hooking the male part and the female part according to the desired circumference. Alternatively, with reference to Figure 7D, the connecting element may be a plurality of strips 52B aligned along the axis P.

[0080] In the case where the connecting elements 51, 52 are self-gripping strips, the first printed circuit and the second printed circuit preferably have rigid supports to facilitate the opening and closing of the self-gripping strips and to facilitate the fixing of the printed circuit on each self-gripping strip. In certain embodiments, the printed circuit is directly produced on a rigid support. In other embodiments, the printed circuit is produced on a flexible substrate which is reinforced by a rigid support, for example by gluing. Alternatively, the first and second electrical connection elements are electrically conductive rigid plates.

[0081] The hook and loop strips 52A, 52B may be attached to the electrical connection elements and / or the fabric support by riveting between pairs of rigid plates 54. Preferably, the rivet used for this assembly is electrically conductive.

[0082] As illustrated in Figure 7A and Figure 7B, the rivets and rigid plates may be attached to the entire fabric backing 20 and the hook-and-loop strip 52A. The hook-and-loop strips, rigid plates, and fabric are held between the ends 53, 53A of the rivet. Alternatively, the rivets and rigid plates 54 may be attached only to the hook-and-loop strip 52A. In this case, the fabric backing 20 is attached by a seam 58 to the hook-and-loop strip having the printed circuit held by the rigid plates and a rivet. In some embodiments, the first electrical connection element is a printed circuit 41 arranged on a rigid backing or an electrically conductive plate. The hook and loop strip 52A and / or fabric backing is riveted between the rigid backing of the printed circuit board or electrically conductive plate 41 and a single rigid plate 54, as shown in Figure 7C and Figure 7D.The fabric support 20 may be comprised between the rigid plate 54 and the rigid support of the printed circuit board 41 as shown in Figure 7C. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7D, the fabric support 20 may be secured to the hook and loop strip only by stitching 58, thereby covering the printed circuit board 41.

[0083] The turn 80 is fixed by a solder 85 on the printed circuit or the electrically conductive plate 41. Preferably, the solder 85 is arranged between the rigid support and the self-gripping strip 52A in order to maintain the solder 85 by riveting between the rigid support of the printed circuit or the electrically conductive plate 41 and the rigid plate 54. This allows good maintenance of the solder during the opening and closing of the self-gripping strips.

[0084] Such riveting makes it possible to very easily and simply connect the end of each turn to each self-gripping strip, ensuring mechanical contact and good mechanical strength of the connection.

[0085] Preferably, at least the rigid plate in contact with the hook-and-loop strip is electrically conductive. Thus, together with an electrically conductive rivet, electrical contact can be ensured between the hook-and-loop strip 52A and the printed circuit or the electrically conductive plate. It is therefore not necessary for the hook-and-loop strip to be in contact with the printed circuit or the electrically conductive plate to ensure the electrical connection between the hook-and-loop strip and the printed circuit or the electrically conductive plate.

[0086] Advantageously, the printed circuit board or electrically conductive plate is connected to the hook-and-loop fastener by a single rivet. This arrangement simplifies the installation of the printed circuit board or electrically conductive plate, while allowing continuous adjustment thanks to the hook-and-loop fastener.

[0087] Alternatively, the use of an elongated printed circuit board allows for a plurality of electrical connections to be made to the hook-and-loop strips so as to shorten the path traveled by the electrical current in the hook-and-loop strips. Since the electrical resistivity of the hook-and-loop strips is generally higher than that of the printed circuit board, such a plurality of electrical connections allows for the total impedance of the circuit to be reduced.

[0088] In some embodiments, the gripping strips 52A, 52B may be bonded to the printed circuit or to the electrically conductive plate by an electrically conductive glue 59 as illustrated in FIG. 7E and FIG. 7F. The bonding may be carried out in one or more areas or over the entire surface of the strip.

[0089] The mechanical and electrical connection can be provided solely by electrically conductive glue or by electrically conductive glue and one or more rivets. In the latter case, the rivets may be electrically non-conductive.

[0090] With reference to figures 6B, 7B and 7D, the fabric, the printed circuit or the electrically conductive plate and, where appropriate, the gripping strip, can be held by stitching 44, preferably button or buttonhole type stitching.

[0091] It is possible to combine several fixing methods to increase the stability and thus the lifespan of the plethysmography device.

[0092] Covering piece

[0093] The plethysmography device 10 may further comprise a covering piece 70 made of extensible textile. Preferably, the covering piece 70 is made of the same type of textile as the textile support 20. The covering piece 70 may be attached to the textile support 20 to cover the side edges 21, 22 of the textile support 20 and the ends of the turns 80 comprising the printed circuits or the electrically conductive plates 41, 42 and the connecting elements 51, 52. Thus, the covering piece 70 protects the opening of the device 10, the printed circuits or the electrically conductive plates 41 and the connecting elements 51, 52 in order to prevent the individual wearing the device 10 from removing the device 10 or damaging one or more of these elements.

[0094] In this case, the textile support 20 advantageously comprises fixing elements 47 arranged to fix the covering piece 70, and the covering piece 70 comprises complementary fixing elements 73 to be fixed on the textile support 20. For example, the textile support may comprise hooks 47 and the covering piece 70 comprises loops 73 fixed by means of a stabilizing piece 74 made of fabric on the lateral edges of the covering piece 70. With reference to FIG. 1, hooks 47 adapted to receive such loops 73 are arranged on the outer face of the textile support 20. The covering piece 70 may comprise a pocket comprising an opening 71 into which a measuring device can be inserted. Advantageously, the opening 71 of the pocket is oriented towards the trunk of the individual to prevent accidental exit of the measuring device.The measuring device may be electrically connected to the coils of the device by the electrical connector. Such a pocket makes it possible to keep the measuring device close to the coils 80 and to protect it so that the mammal wearing the plethysmography device 10 or conspecifics cannot remove or damage the measuring device.

[0095] Advantageously, with reference to Figure 8, the cover piece 70 and the pocket are formed from a single piece of textile, using a folding technique and stitching to form the pocket. Such a technique is easy to perform and does not require any complex cutting or dedicated tools or patterns.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Inductive plethysmography device (10), comprising: o a support (20) made of elastic textile adapted to be closed along two lateral edges (21, 22) to surround at least part of the trunk of an individual, o at least one inductive coil (80) formed of a strand of electrically conductive wire arranged in the form of wavy loops between the two lateral edges so as to extend around the circumference of the trunk of the individual, the coil (80) having two ends arranged on each lateral edge (21, 22) of the support, characterized in that a first end of the coil (80) comprises a first electrical connection element (41) in electrical connection with the strand of electrically conductive wire, said first electrical connection element (41) being in electrical and mechanical connection with an electrically conductive self-gripping male or female element (51),and a second end of the coil (80) comprises a second electrical connection element (42) in electrical connection with the electrically conductive wire strand, said second electrical connection element (42) being in electrical and mechanical connection with an electrically conductive self-gripping female or male element (52) adapted to engage electrically and mechanically with the electrically conductive self-gripping male or female element to establish electrical contact between the first and second ends of the coil (80).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein each electrical connection element (41, 42) is a printed circuit or an electrically conductive rigid plate.

3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising a plurality of self-gripping female or male elements in electrical and mechanical connection with the second electrical connection element (42), said self-gripping female or male elements being spaced a distance (d) between two successive self-gripping elements (52), such that each self-gripping female or male element (52) defines a different circumference of the coil (80) when said self-gripping female or male element (52) is engaged with the self-gripping male or female element (51) electrically and mechanically connected to the first electrical connection element (41).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first electrical connection element (41) and the second electrical connection element (42) each have a respective rigid support.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each self-gripping male or female element (51, 52) is assembled to the first electrical connection element (41) or to the second electrical connection element (42) by an electrically conductive adhesive.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each self-gripping male or female element (51, 52) is assembled to the first electrical connection element (41) or to the second electrical connection element (42) by at least one rivet.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein said rivet is electrically conductive.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein each self-gripping element (51, 52, 52A) and each respective electrical connection element (41, 42) are arranged between two rigid plates (54) connected by said rivet.

9. Device according to claim 8 in combination with claim 4, wherein each hook and loop element (51, 52, 52A) and / or the textile support (20) is arranged between a rigid plate (54) and the electrical connection element (41, 42), the rigid plate (54) and the electrical connection element being mechanically and electrically connected by said rivet.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one pair of hooks arranged on each lateral edge (21, 22) of the support so as to mechanically connect said lateral edges (21, 22) to close the support.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a removable elastic textile cover piece arranged to cover the male and / or female hook and loop elements when the spiral is closed.

12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the textile support comprises at least one pair of hooks arranged on each lateral edge (21, 22) and the cover piece comprises at least one pair of loops arranged to be hooked onto said hooks so as to fix the cover piece to the support and to cover the lateral edges of the support.

13. Device according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the cover piece further comprises a pocket configured to contain a measuring device in electrical connection with the coil.

14. Method of manufacturing an inductive plethysmography device for human or animal mammals according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising o providing the support (20) made of elastic textile, o forming at least one inductive loop (80) into an electrically conductive wire by fixing said wire in the form of wavy loops along the circumference of the support (20), said loop (80) having two ends arranged on each lateral edge (21, 22) of the support, o assembling each end of the loop (80) with an electrical connecting element (41, 42), so as to establish an electrical connection between the loop (80) and a conductive track (41, 42) of the electrical connecting element, o assembling each electrical connecting element (41, 42) with a respective self-gripping male or female element.

15. Method according to claim 14, further comprising the assembly of at least one electrical connection element (41, 42) with at least one additional hook and loop element (52), said hook and loop elements (52) being spaced at a distance (d) extending over a portion of the circumference of the device.

16. Method according to claim 14 or claim 15, comprising supplying a cover piece (70) comprising a plurality of loops (73), and assembling the support with a plurality of hooks (47) on both sides of the opening of said support (20), said loops (73) being configured to receive the hooks (47) so as to fix the cover piece (70) on the support (20).

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