Sensors for inductive plethysmographic monitoring applications and apparel using same
First Claim
1. A physiological sensor for monitoring a subject, comprising:
- a substrate for placement on a body part of the monitored subject;
a first stretchable sensor conductor fixed to the substrate;
a second stretchable sensor conductor fixed to the substrate and arranged to be generally parallel to the first stretchable sensor conductor, each stretchable sensor conductor having an external contact point; and
a bridging connection connecting the first stretchable sensor conductor and the second stretchable sensor conductor at a bridged end so that the first stretchable sensor conductor and the second stretchable sensor conductor are electrically continuous and form a loop configuration, the electrically continuous sensor conductors having a contact end,wherein the contact end includes the external contact points, andwherein the bridging connection is configured such that electricity flows in a first direction in the first stretchable sensor conductor and in a second opposing direction in the second stretchable sensor conductor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention includes improved IP sensors that both have improved sensitivity, performance, and other properties and are multifunctional. The improved IP sensors have IP sensor conductors with waveforms having legs that are substantially parallel throughout the operating range of stretch. The multifunctional IP sensors include, in addition to IP sensors, accessory conductors, additional sensors, and other compatible modules. This inventions also includes embodiments of apparel incorporating the improved IP sensors. This apparel can range from band-like to shirt-like, and so forth, and include one or more IP sensors sensitive to expansions and contractions of underlying regions of a monitored subject.
70 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A physiological sensor for monitoring a subject, comprising:
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a substrate for placement on a body part of the monitored subject; a first stretchable sensor conductor fixed to the substrate; a second stretchable sensor conductor fixed to the substrate and arranged to be generally parallel to the first stretchable sensor conductor, each stretchable sensor conductor having an external contact point; and a bridging connection connecting the first stretchable sensor conductor and the second stretchable sensor conductor at a bridged end so that the first stretchable sensor conductor and the second stretchable sensor conductor are electrically continuous and form a loop configuration, the electrically continuous sensor conductors having a contact end, wherein the contact end includes the external contact points, and wherein the bridging connection is configured such that electricity flows in a first direction in the first stretchable sensor conductor and in a second opposing direction in the second stretchable sensor conductor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A physiological monitoring apparel to be worn by a subject, comprising:
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a garment including a substrate adapted to be arranged on a body part of the subject; a first stretchable sensor conductor fixed to the substrate; a second stretchable sensor conductor fixed to the substrate arranged to be generally parallel to the first stretchable sensor conductor, each stretchable sensor conductor having an external contact point; and a bridging connection connecting the first stretchable sensor conductor and the second stretchable sensor conductor at a bridged end so that the first stretchable sensor conductor and the second stretchable sensor conductor are electrically continuous and form a loop configuration, the electrically continuous sensor conductors having a contact end, wherein the contact end includes the external contact points, and wherein the bridging connection is configured such that electricity flows in a first direction in the first stretchable sensor conductor and in a second opposing direction in the second stretchable sensor conductor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification