Electrocardiogram sensor

• US 20090227856A1
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Zephyr Technology Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Zephyr Technology Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Woodward, Jonathan, Solomon, Christopher Michael, Russell, Brian Keith, Mallinson, Paul Benjamin
• Application Number:
  US12/318,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20090227856A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/388
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1281 with incorporated means for medical monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/256 Wearable electrodes, e.g. having straps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/268 containing conductive polymers, e.g. PEDOT:PSS polymers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/27 Conductive fabrics or textiles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/28 for electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests

Abstract

A garment comprising at least one electrocardiogram sensor integrated into the garment, the electrocardiogram sensor comprising an electrode on the inside of the garment and arranged to contact a user'"'"'s skin, and a resilient compressible filler provided between the garment and the electrode such that in use the electrode is held substantially in place against the user'"'"'s skin when the garment moves relative to the user'"'"'s skin.

Claims

1. A garment comprising:

at least one electrocardiogram sensor integrated into the garment comprising;

an electrode on the inside of the garment and arranged to contact a user'"'"'s skin; and

a resilient compressible filler provided between the garment and the electrode such that in use the electrode is held substantially in place against the user'"'"'s skin when the garment moves relative to the user'"'"'s skin.

2. A garment according to claim 1 where the electrode is formed from an electrically conductive material.

3. A garment according to claim 2 where the electrically conductive material is a conductive lycra.

4. A garment according to claim 2 where the electrically conductive material is a conductive rubber.

5. A garment according to claim 2, where the electrode forms a pocket on the garment that is arranged to contain the resilient compressible filler.

6. A garment according to claim 5 where the electrocardiogram sensor is arranged to sense the heart rate of the user and the electrocardiogram signal of the user.

7. A garment according to claim 1 where the electrocardiogram sensor is arranged to sense the heart rate of the user and the electrocardiogram signal of the user.

8. A garment according to claim 6 comprising an electronics module connected to the electrocardiogram sensor and arranged to receive signals indicative of the user'"'"'s heart rate, or electrocardiogram signal, or both from the electrocardiogram sensor.

9. A garment according to claim 1 comprising an electronics module connected to the electrocardiogram sensor and arranged to receive signals indicative of the user'"'"'s heart rate, or electrocardiogram signal, or both from the electrocardiogram sensor.

10. A garment according to claim 8 where the electronics module is arranged to transmit or store information indicative of the user'"'"'s heart rate, or electrocardiogram signal, or both.

11. A garment according to claim 10 where the electronics module is provided in a hermetically sealed case.

12. A garment according to claim 11 where the resilient compressible filler has a square or rectangular cross-section.

13. A garment according to claim 11 where the resilient compressible filler has a castellated cross-section.

14. A garment according to claim 1 where the resilient compressible filler has a castellated cross-section.

15. An electrocardiogram sensor for use in a garment comprising:

an electrode arranged to contact a user'"'"'s skin; and

a resilient compressible filler arranged to fit between the electrode and the garment such that in use the electrode is held substantially in place against the user'"'"'s skin when the garment moves relative to the user'"'"'s skin.

16. An electrocardiogram sensor according to claim 15 where the electrode is formed from an electrically conductive material.

17. An electrocardiogram sensor according to claim 16 where the electrically conductive material is a conductive lycra.

18. An electrocardiogram sensor according to claim 16 where the electrically conductive material is a conductive rubber.

19. An electrocardiogram sensor according to claim 16 arranged to sense the heart rate of the user and the electrocardiogram signal of the user.

20. An electrocardiogram sensor according to claim 15 arranged to sense the heart rate of the user and the electrocardiogram signal of the user.

21. An electrocardiogram sensor according to claim 19 where the resilient compressible filler has a square or rectangular cross-section.

22. An electrocardiogram sensor according to claim 19 where the resilient compressible filler has a castellated cross-section.

23. An electrocardiogram sensor according to claim 15 where the resilient compressible filler has a castellated cross-section.

24. A method of manufacturing a garment comprising an integrated electrocardiogram sensor comprising the steps of:

attaching an electrode to the inside of the garment so that the electrode is arranged to contact a user'"'"'s skin;

providing a resilient compressible filler between the electrode and the garment such that in use the electrode is held substantially in place against the user'"'"'s skin when the garment moves relative to the user'"'"'s skin.