Garment Electrode Arrays for Muscle Activity Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current muscle activity monitoring technologies are limited by the use of movement sensors and invasive needle electrodes, which do not accurately track muscle activity, and are restrictive in application.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a garment with arrays of electrodes that contact the skin to generate electrical signals indicative of muscle activity, processed by an electronic device to determine muscle activation and indicators such as magnitude, frequency, and fatigue, allowing for non-invasive monitoring during various activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If movement sensors are used to monitor activity, then the device can detect movement, but the measurement precision of muscle activity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical movement sensors with electrical electrodes that directly measure muscle activity through electrical signals. The electrode array detects electrical potentials generated by muscle fibers during contraction, providing accurate muscle activity data without relying on mechanical motion detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrical signals as an intermediary between muscle contraction and measurement. The electrodes capture electrical potentials that serve as a direct mediator of muscle activity, allowing precise measurement without direct mechanical contact or movement detection.
2Measurement precision
If needle electrodes are inserted into muscles to record electrical signals, then muscle activity can be measured accurately, but the ease of operation is reduced due to invasiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible electrode array integrated into a wearable garment that conforms to the body surface. This flexible film-based electrode system maintains accurate electrical contact with the skin without requiring invasive needle insertion, combining measurement precision with ease of application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a non-invasive copy of the invasive needle electrode approach by using surface-mounted electrodes that detect the same electrical signals without penetrating the muscle. This copying approach maintains measurement accuracy while eliminating the invasiveness and complexity of needle insertion.
3Measurement precision
If needle electrodes are used for EMG monitoring, then muscle activity can be recorded, but the adaptability is limited due to restrictive application requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal electrode array system that can be applied to multiple muscle groups and body locations through a single wearable garment. This multi-functional system can monitor various muscle activities during different tasks and environments, greatly enhancing adaptability while maintaining precise measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic, wearable garment-based electrode system that adapts to different body positions, movements, and activities. The flexible electrode array maintains contact and measurement capability across various dynamic conditions, enabling versatile application in sports, rehabilitation, and daily life scenarios.
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 accurate and non-invasive monitoring of muscle activity, providing real-time feedback and historical data on muscle function, efficiency, and fatigue, suitable for both athletic and medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
the electrodes contact skin of the subject and generate electrical signals indicative of electrical potentials within respective muscles of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A system for monitoring muscle activity of a biological subject, the system including at least one garment including a number of arrays of electrodes positioned on the garment so that when the garment is worn by a subject in use, the electrodes contact skin of the subject and generate electrical signals indicative of electrical potentials within respective muscles of the subject and at least one electronic processing device that processes signals from the electrodes in each electrode array to determine a muscle activation for parts of the respective muscles and uses the muscle activation to determine at least one muscle indicator indicative of muscle activity of the subject.