Stretchable Sensor Garment for Simultaneous sEMG and Strain Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clinical practices rarely incorporate both kinematic and surface electromyography (sEMG) data due to the high costs and specialized expertise required for clinically relevant systems.
Innovation Solution
A strain and stimulus sensor system that includes a wearable device with stretchable sensors and a control system to simultaneously collect skin strain and sEMG data from a selected body region, providing a cost-effective and user-friendly solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If clinically relevant systems are used to collect both kinematic and sEMG data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sEMG electrodes and stretchable strain sensors into a single integrated wearable garment. The sEMG electrodes are positioned to contact skin for electrical activity detection, while strain sensors are embedded in the garment fabric to measure mechanical deformation. This merging of multiple sensing functions into one device reduces system complexity while maintaining measurement precision for both muscle activation and kinematic data.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable garment serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both an sEMG acquisition system for muscle electrical activity and a kinematic sensing system for motion detection. The circuit board processes both types of signals through a unified control system, making the device universal for collecting comprehensive biomechanical data without requiring separate specialized equipment.
2Measurement precision
If specialized systems are used for clinical diagnosis, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to specialized expertise requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable system is designed to be self-contained with integrated processing capabilities. The circuit board automatically processes signals from both sEMG electrodes and strain sensors, and the system can independently synchronize and store data without requiring constant expert intervention. This self-service design reduces the need for specialized operational expertise while maintaining clinical-grade measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If separate systems are used for sEMG and kinematic data collection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensing modalities into a single wearable garment. The sEMG electrodes and strain sensors are combined in one device, with a unified circuit board handling signal acquisition and processing for both muscle electrical activity and mechanical deformation. This eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment while preserving the measurement precision of each modality.
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 simultaneous collection of kinematic and muscle activation data, enhancing clinical diagnosis and treatment planning by providing comprehensive biomechanical information without the need for expensive and complex systems.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of sensors are configured to exhibit a change in electrical resistance as a function of mechanical deformation
Implementation Method 2
The control system is configured to send an electrical current through the plurality of sensors, measure an electrical resistance of the plurality of stretchable sensors responsive to the electrical current
Implementation Method 3
Each electrical connector of the plurality of electrical connectors is positioned on the sensor region to contact skin of the user and configured to capture stimulus data
Data Source
AI summary
A strain and stimulus sensor system includes stretchable sensors secured to a material configured to be worn by a user, a control system operably coupled to the sensors, and electrical connectors operably coupled to the control system. The sensors are configured to exhibit a change in electrical resistance as a function of mechanical deformation. Each of the electrical connectors is positioned on the sensor region to contact skin of the user and is configured to capture stimulus data. The control system is configured to send an electrical current through the sensors, measure an electrical resistance of the sensors responsive to the electrical current, and measure an electrical activity at the skin from the electrical connectors contacting the skin.