3D-Modeled EMG Garment Electrode Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromyography garments face challenges in accurately quantifying muscle activity during dynamic activities due to adhesion issues, cross-talk phenomena with adjacent muscles, and the need for calibration procedures, which limit their effectiveness in sports and clinical applications.

Innovation Solution

A process involving a three-dimensional digital model of the wearer's anatomical shapes to precisely calculate and position EMG electrodes, ensuring optimal contact and minimizing cross-talk, allowing for personalized and accurate muscle activity monitoring without the need for calibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If surface electrodes are used for EMG acquisition, then high sampling rates and positioning precision are achieved, but adhesion is lost during dynamic activities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidadhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters of the electrodes from traditional surface electrodes to textile electrodes with specific conductive properties. The textile electrodes maintain adhesion through their fabric structure while preserving EMG signal acquisition capability, resolving the contradiction between positioning precision and adhesion during dynamic activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite textile materials that combine conductive fibers with textile structures. This composite approach allows the electrodes to maintain both the adhesion properties of textile materials and the electrical conductivity needed for precise EMG signal acquisition, eliminating the adhesion loss problem of traditional surface electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If textile electrodes are used for EMG acquisition, then adhesion during dynamic activities is maintained, but cross-talk with adjacent muscles occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadhesionVSAvoidsignal accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements selective electrode placement at specific anatomical locations determined by a 3D digital model. Each electrode is positioned at optimal locations on target muscles while avoiding adjacent muscles, reducing cross-talk through localized precise positioning rather than uniform distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary 3D scanning and digital modeling to pre-determine optimal electrode positions before actual electrode placement. This preliminary action allows calculation of precise coordinates that minimize cross-talk, ensuring accurate signal acquisition before the garment is even manufactured.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If calibration procedures are implemented for electrode positioning, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and time requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidcalibration procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs all positioning calculations and optimizations in advance using 3D digital modeling. The optimal electrode coordinates are predetermined through computational algorithms applied to the wearer's 3D scan, eliminating the need for time-consuming calibration procedures during actual use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual calibration procedures with automated computational algorithms. The system uses 3D scanning data and mathematical algorithms to automatically determine optimal electrode positions, substituting complex mechanical calibration processes with automated digital computation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If multiple acquisition modules are used for comprehensive muscle monitoring, then measurement coverage is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoidgarment weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the textile electrodes multi-functional by integrating them directly into the garment fabric. The same textile material serves both as the garment structure and as the EMG electrode, eliminating the need for separate acquisition modules and reducing overall weight while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the electrode function with the garment fabric itself. The conductive textile electrodes are integrated into the garment structure, combining the protective and structural function of the garment with the measurement function of the electrodes, thereby reducing total weight while improving monitoring coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20240382137A1Process for manufacturing a garment for the acquisition of electromyographic signals

Publication Date: 2024.11.21 ETA BIOENGINEERING SRL

AI summary

A process for manufacturing a garment for acquiring electromyographic signals is described comprising the step of providing a garment having dimensions consistent with a three-dimensional digital model, previously provided, of a wearer's anatomical shapes, wherein said at least one electromyography (EMG) electrode device, optionally a textile electrodes or printed electrodes, is positioned on a garment as a function of positioning coordinates previously calculated from said three-dimensional digital model.