SELECTIVELY DETACHABLE AND WEARABLE ELECTRODE/SENSORS

• US 20030208830A1
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Marmaropoulos, George, Van Heerden, Clive Read
• Granted Patent: US 6,668,380 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/69
• 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

Abstract

A wearable garment having medical electrode/sensors mounted in predetermined position relative to the skin of a wearer provides for the sensors to be removed and attached easily for cleaning, repair and/or replacement without adverse effect on the electrical connections thereto. The garment comprises a wearable body structure having one or more flexible electrical conductors on its inner surface, with a first separable fastener half-section, made of flexible electrically conductive material, mounted on the inner surface and electrically connected to the electrical conductor. A medical sensor formed of flexible conductive material, preferably conductive silicone, is coupled, electrically and mechanically, to a second separable fastener half-section also formed of flexible conductive material. The second separable fastener half-section is configured to couple separably with the first half-section to complete an electrical current path between the medical sensor and the electrical conductor. The separable fastener sections preferably comprise hook and loop material formed of conductive plastic, and the electrical conductor or conductors on the inner surface of the garment are integrated with the flexible material of the body structure of the garment in the form of fibers of conductive material supported by fibers of substantially non-conductive material, or in the form of electrically conductive coating material, such as conductive ink, printed on the inner surface.

Claims

1. A wearable garment for positioning replaceable medical sensors relative to the skin of a wearer, said garment comprising:

a wearable body structure, of flexible material, having an inner surface;

a flexible electrical conductor affixed to said inner surface, said conductor having a first end portion;

a first separable fastener half-section affixed to said inner surface of said garment;

said first separable fastener half-section being formed of flexible electrically conductive material, and being electrically coupled to said first end of said electrical conductor;

a medical sensor formed of flexible conductive material having a second fastener half-section formed of flexible conductive material electrically and mechanically coupled thereto, said second separable fastener half-section being configured for separable fastening to said first separable fastener half-section to complete an electrical current path between said medical sensor and said electrical conductor.

2. The wearable garment of claim 1, wherein:

said flexible electrical conductor further has a second end portion; and

,

said garment further comprises a third separable fastener half section formed of electrically conductive material, electrically coupled to said second end of said flexible electrical conductor for electrically coupling external electrical equipment to said conductor.

3. The wearable garment of claim 1, wherein:

said electrical conductor is integrated into the flexible material of said body structure in the form of fibers of conductive material supported by fibers of substantially non-conductive material.

4. The wearable garment of claim 1, wherein:

said electrical conductor is printed on said inner surface of said garment in the form of electrically conductive coating material.

5. The wearable garment of claim 1, wherein:

said first and second separable fastener half-sections comprise hook and loop material.

6. The wearable garment of claim 1, wherein:

said flexible conductive material of said medical sensor is conductive silicone.

7. A wearable garment for positioning replaceable medical sensors relative to the skin of a wearer, said garment comprising:

a wearable body structure, of flexible material, having an inner surface;

a flexible electrical conductor affixed to said inner surface, said conductor having a first end portion;

a first separable fastener half-section affixed to said inner surface of said garment;

said first separable fastener half-section being formed of flexible electrically conductive hook and loop material, and being electrically coupled to said first end of said electrical conductor;

a medical sensor formed of flexible conductive silicone having a second fastener half-section formed of flexible conductive hook and loop material electrically and mechanically coupled thereto, said second separable fastener half-section being configured for separable fastening to said first separable fastener half-section to complete an electrical current path between said medical sensor and said electrical conductor.

8. The wearable garment of claim 7, wherein:

said electrical conductor is integrated into the flexible material of said body structure in the form of fibers of conductive material supported by fibers of substantially non-conductive material.

9. The wearable garment of claim 7, wherein:

said electrical conductor is printed on said inner surface of said garment in the form of electrically conductive coating material.

10. The wearable garment of claim 7, wherein:

said electrical conductor further has a second end; and

said wearable garment further comprises a third separable connector half-section electrically coupled to said second end of said conductor for completing electrical paths to external devices.