Fabric-based sensor for monitoring vital signs

• US 6,970,731 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2000
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Original Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Inventors: Park, Sungmee, Jayaraman, Sundaresan
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US09/713,161
• Time in Patent Office: 1,841 Days
• Field of Search: 600/372, 600/386, 600/388, 600/389, 600/390, 600393-395
• US Class Current: 600/388
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1236 Patients' garments
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1263 Suits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/27 Conductive fabrics or textiles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/046 Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 11/02 Fabrics formed with pockets, tubes, loops, folds, tucks or flaps fabrics consisting of a single tube D03D3/02
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/33 Ultrafine fibres, e.g. microfibres or nanofibres
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/67 Metal wires
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/14 Other fabrics or articles characterised primarily by the use of particular thread materials
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2101/20 : Metallic fibres
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2201/02 : Cotton
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2321/022 : polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2331/04 : polyesters, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate [PET]
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/16 : antistatic; conductive
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/02431 : with electronic components, e.g. sensors or switches
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/00 : Wearing apparel
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/02 : Underwear
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/041 : Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/042 : Headwear
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2509/00 : Medical; Hygiene

Abstract

The present invention comprises a fabric-based sensor for monitoring vital signs or other electrical impulses of a subject. The sensor is woven or knitted from conductive fibers and, when in contact with the body, receives signals from the wearer and transmits them to a processing or monitoring device through a data-output terminal. The sensor may be integrated into the fabric of a garment or used independently as a conductive patch. Additionally, the sensor may provide bi-directional communication by both monitoring electrical impulses and sending them.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the vital signs of a subject comprising applying a fabric-based sensor to the subject and connecting the sensor to a monitor, the fabric-based sensor comprising:

(a) a knitted or woven fully-conductive fabric including one or more individually conductive fibers integrated therein by the process of knitting or weaving the fabric, each conductive fiber being individually conductive prior to incorporation into the fabric in the absence of conductivity imparted to the fabric or to the fibers after incorporation into the fabric; and

(b) an electrical lead for connection to a connector, the electrical lead being formed from one of the integrated individually conductive fibers; and

(c) a connector connected to the electrical lead.

2. The method of claim 1, the fabric-based sensor having conductive paste between the electrical lead fiber and the connector.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the fabric-based sensor is integrated into the fabric of a garment.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing an electrical impulse to said subject by connecting the connector to an impulse-delivering device, and delivering the impulse through the sensor to the subject.

5. The method of claim 4, the fabric-based sensor having conductive paste between the electrical lead fiber and the connector.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the fabric-based sensor is integrated into the fabric of a garment.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the individually conductive fibers of the fabric-based sensor are knitted.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the individually conductive fibers of the fabric-based sensor are woven.

7. A method for monitoring the vital signs or other electrical impulses of a subject comprising:

applying a fabric-based sensor to the subject, the fabric-based sensor comprising;

(a) a knitted or woven fully-conductive fabric including one or more individually conductive fibers integrated therein by the process of knitting or weaving the fabric, each conductive fiber being individually conductive prior to incorporation into the fabric in the absence of a conductive coating applied to the fabric or to the fibers; and

(b) an electrical lead formed from one of the integrated individually conductive fibers;

providing a wearable motherboard, wherein the wearable motherboard is a fabric comprising;

a comfort component serving as the base of the fabric; and

a sensing component integrated within said comfort component to form the fabric, wherein the sensing component includes an insulated electrical conductive component comprising one or more individually insulated conductive fibers

the electrical lead of the fabric-based sensor being connected to the sensing component of the wearable motherboard; and

gathering vital signs or electrical impulse data from the fabric-based sensor.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the individually conductive fibers of the fabric-based sensor are knitted.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the individually conductive fibers of the fabric-based sensor are woven.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the electrical lead of the fabric-based sensor is connected to the sensing component of the wearable motherboard by a connector.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the fabric-based sensor and the wearable motherboard are integrated into the fabric of a garment.

14. The method of claim 7, further comprising connecting a monitor to either the fabric-based sensor or the wearable motherboard.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein the fabric-based sensor and the wearable motherboard are integrated into the fabric of a garment.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein the fabric-based sensor is separate from the wearable motherboard.

17. A method for monitoring the vital signs or other electrical impulses of a subject comprising:

applying a fabric-based sensor to the subject, the fabric-based sensor comprising;

a knitted or woven conductive fabric including one or more individually conductive fibers and non-conductive fibers integrated therein by the process of knitting or weaving the fabric, each conductive fiber being individually conductive prior to incorporation into the fabric in the absence of a conductive coating applied to the fabric or to the fibers;

providing a wearable motherboard, wherein the wearable motherboard is a fabric comprising;

a comfort component serving as the base of the fabric; and

a sensing component integrated within said comfort component to form the fabric, wherein the sensing component includes an insulated electrical conductive component comprising one or more individually insulated conductive fibers;

the fabric-based sensor being connected to the sensing component of the wearable motherboard; and

gathering vital signs or electrical impulse data from the fabric-based sensor.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of connecting an impulse-delivering device to either the fabric-based sensor or to the sensing component of the wearable motherboard, and delivering an impulse to the subject.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the individually conductive fibers of the fabric-based sensor are knitted.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the individually conductive fibers of the fabric-based sensor are woven.

21. The method of claims 17, wherein the electrical lead of the fabric-based sensor is connected to the sensing component of the wearable motherboard by a connector.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the fabric-based sensor and the wearable motherboard are integrated into the fabric of a garment.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the fabric-based sensor is separate from the wearable motherboard.