Conductive Fabric Sensor Garment for Ambulatory Physiological Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional physiological monitoring systems are impractical for portable use and prolonged wear, especially for outdoor activities, due to bulkiness and the need for multiple adhesive patches and cables, which limits their usability for athletes or individuals engaging in exercise.
Innovation Solution
A bio-mechanical sensing system integrated into a garment with conductive fabric sensors that detect physiological data in an analogue format, processed into digital data, and transmitted via a low-power monitoring device with a communications system, allowing for the monitoring of heart rate, respiratory rate, and other parameters without the need for separate patches and cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional adhesive patches and electrical cables are used for physiological monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate monitoring components (adhesive patches, electrical cables, sensors) into a single integrated conductive fabric garment. The conductive fabric itself serves as both the sensor substrate and the electrical connection medium, eliminating the need for separate cables and patches. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to monitor multiple physiological parameters simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive fabric garment serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the wearable structure, the sensor substrate, the electrical conductor, and the signal transmission medium. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while preserving measurement capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If multiple adhesive patches and cables are attached for monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and comfort are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the sensor patches and electrical cables into a single conductive fabric garment, the system transforms from a cumbersome multi-component setup into a unified wearable piece. The conductive fabric provides continuous electrical contact through its inherent conductivity, eliminating the need for separate cable connections and making the system as easy to wear as regular clothing.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive fabric acts as a flexible thin film that conforms to the body's surface, providing continuous sensor contact without rigid structures or bulky components. This flexibility allows the garment to move with the body during exercise or daily activities, significantly improving ease of operation and comfort compared to traditional rigid cable-based systems.
3Measurement precision
If separate monitoring equipment and patches are used, then measurement precision is improved, but portability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the monitoring equipment, sensors, and electrical connections into a single lightweight conductive fabric garment worn by the user. This integration eliminates the need for separate heavy monitoring equipment and multiple patches, reducing the overall weight and bulk of the system while maintaining the capability to accurately monitor multiple physiological parameters.
4Measurement precision
If conventional monitoring systems are used for prolonged wear, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation is worsened due to impracticality
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive fabric garment provides a flexible, thin-film solution that can be worn comfortably for extended periods. Unlike rigid cable-based systems, the flexible fabric moves with the body and maintains continuous sensor contact without causing discomfort or restricting movement, enabling prolonged wearability for activities such as overnight monitoring or extended exercise sessions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables ambulatory monitoring of physiological parameters like heart rate and respiration rate in a lightweight, comfortable, and portable manner, reducing noise interference and providing continuous data recording and analysis through a wearable device.
Implementation Method 1
conductive fabric sensors integral with a garment and capable of sensing physiological data in an analogue signal format
Implementation Method 2
compression capacitive sensors provide a means for measuring an amount of compression between a wearer's body and said garment... measuring a change in a separation distance between an upper and a lower layer of each of said plurality of conductive fabric sensors
Data Source
AI summary
The bio mechanical sensor system is disclosed that uses conductive fabric sensors to detect, monitor and record one or more physiological parameters of a person wearing a garment that incorporates the fabric sensors such as a body harness or strap for example, that is attached to a person. The physiological parameters that can be detected include a wearer's heart rate and respiration rate plus ambient temperature and body temperature for example. The garment has a monitoring device that is attached to the garment and used to receive the detected physiological data. A processing circuit within the monitoring device then processes the data and outputs the person's physiological data to a display device in a format characteristic of the person's heart rate and respiratory rate and/or outputs the data to a third party system for review and analysis.