Sensor arrangeable on the skin

• US 7,324,841 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2002
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Välimäki, Elina, Reho, Akseli, Nissilä, Seppo, Heikkilä, Ilkka
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US10/468,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20040138546A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,171 Days
• Field of Search: 600/382, 600/386, 600/388, 600/389, 600/390, 600/502
• US Class Current: 600/382
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor (42) placed on the skin, which can advantageously be integrated in a garment and has a contact layer in contact with the skin containing conductive fibres for receiving signals and a moisture retentive moisture layer (41) on top of the contact layer.

Claims

1. A sensor adapted to be integrated in a garment so as to be placed in contact with skin of a user during use of the garment, said sensor comprising:

a contact layer including conductive fibers to be placed in contact with the skin for receiving signals, and

a moisture retentive layer on top of the contact layer for retaining secretory products from the skin thereby enhancing the contact between the skin and the contact layer, and increasing the electric conductivity of the contact layer.

2. A sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein the moisture retentive layer is a seal layer substantially impervious to moisture.

3. A sensor as defined in claim 2, wherein the seal layer is made of fabric, a film-like material or laminate.

4. A sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein the contact layer is made of fabric.

5. A sensor as defined in claim 1 in combination with a garment, wherein the garment is at least one of the following garment:

a shirt, a coat, a top, a girdle, a bra, a wrist strip, a headband, a belt, a band, a sock, a pair of trousers or a glove.

6. A sensor and garment in combination as defined in claim 5, wherein the sensor and the garment are arranged to be cleaned together.

7. A sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein the sensor is associated with a transmitter for transmitting a signal received by the contact layer from the skin.

8. A sensor as defined in claim 1, further comprising a short-circuit preventing insulating arrangement surrounding the other elements of the sensor, wherein the insulating arrangement is at least one of the following insulating arrangements:

rubber, plastic fabric, glue and an opening.

9. A garment, comprising:

a garment member,

a sensor mounted on the garment member and adapted to be placed in contact with skin, said sensor comprising

a contact layer containing conductive fibers to be placed in contact with the skin for receiving signals, and

a moisture retentive layer on top of the contact layer for retaining secretory products from the skin thereby enhancing the contact between the skin and the contact layer, and increasing the electric conductivity of the contact layer.

10. A method for making measurements by means of a sensor integrated in a garment so as to be placed in contact with skin of a user during use of the garment, said sensor comprising

a contact layer including conductive fibers to be placed in contact with the skin for receiving signals, and

a moisture retentive layer on top of the contact layer and increasing the electric conductivity of the contact layer;

the method comprising integrating the sensor in the garment and receiving signals from the contact layer for making the measurements.