TEXTILE-BASED ELECTRODE

• US 20070127187A1
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Textronics Incorporated (Adidas AG)
• Inventors: Burr, Stacey, DeFusco, Christopher, Waters, Yazbehl
• Granted Patent: US 7,966,052 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/220
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1281 with incorporated means for medical monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• 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: A61N 1/0408 Use-related aspects
• 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: D02G 3/441 Yarns or threads with antistatic, conductive or radiation-shielding properties electroconductive, anti-static or radiation-shielding filaments D01F1/09, D01F1/106; anti-static fabrics D03D15/533; conducting, insulating or anti-static layers for floor coverings D06N7/0042
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/14 Other fabrics or articles characterised primarily by the use of particular thread materials
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/02431 with electronic components, e.g. sensors or switches

Abstract

Two garments with textile based electrodes are disclosed. First, a wrist band for use with a cardiac patient remote monitoring system includes two fabric layers with integral textile-based electrodes. The textile based electrodes include a fabric portion having stretch-recovery non-conductive yarns and an electrically conductive region having stretch-recovery electrically conductive yarn filaments. The skin contacting surface of the band includes a conductive region formed as a continuous ring or stripe. A connector links the conductive region to a lead to a device. Second, an infant garment includes textile based electrodes at the torso region and optionally at other regions in order to monitor the infant'"'"'s biophysical characteristics as the garment is worn.

Claims

1. A wrist band for a cardiac monitoring system, comprising:

a first fabric portion comprising a skin contacting surface and an inner surface and that includes stretch-recovery non-conductive yarns and at least one electrically conductive region comprising stretch-recovery electrically conductive yarn filaments;

a second fabric portion comprising an outer surface forming the wrist band outer surface and an inner surface, and that includes stretch-recovery non-conductive yarns; and

a connector for connecting the at least one electrically conductive region of the first fabric portion to the cardiac monitoring system or to a lead for such system for transmitting signals representing biophysical data.

2. The wrist band of claim 1, wherein the first fabric portion and the second fabric portion are formed from a single fabric and wherein the second fabric portion overlays the first fabric portion upon folding the single fabric.

3. The wrist band of claim 1, wherein the second fabric portion includes at least one electrically conductive region comprising stretch recovery electrically conductive yarn filaments, wherein the second fabric portion overlays at least a portion of the first fabric portion and the at least one electrically conductive region of the second fabric portion contacts the at least one electrically conductive region of the first fabric portion.

4. The wrist band of claim 3, wherein the connector is selected from the group consisting of:

snap, rivet, pin and clamp.

5. The wrist band of claim 4, wherein the first fabric portion and the second fabric portion are formed from a single fabric and wherein the second fabric portion overlays the first fabric portion upon folding the single fabric, and wherein the first fabric portion is attached to the second fabric portion at a position adjacent to the connector.

6. The wrist band of claim 1, wherein the conductive region of the first fabric portion is a continuous stripe bordered on both sides by non-conductive region.

7. The wrist band of claim 3, wherein the conductive region of the second fabric portion is a patch bordered by non-conductive region.

8. The wrist band of claim 2, wherein the folded fabric is attached to form a two layer construction.

9. The wrist band of claim 8, wherein the folded fabric is attached at its selvages by stitching.

10. The wrist band of claim 3, wherein at least one of:

(i) the electrically conductive region of the first fabric portion; and

(ii) the electrically conductive region of the second fabric portion;

comprises at least a portion of an elastified electrically conductive yarn.

11. The wrist band of claim 3, wherein at least one of:

(i) the electrically conductive region of the first fabric portion; and

(ii) the electrically conductive region of the second fabric portion;

comprises an elastic yarn at least partially plated with a conductive yarn.

12. The wrist band of claim 1, wherein the first and second fabric portions are of a knit construction.

13. The wrist band of claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive region of the first fabric portion includes one or more float yarns in the knit construction.

14. The wrist band of claim 4, where the snaps used in snap engagement are facing away from the skin.

15. The wrist band of claim 4, where the snaps used in snap engagement are facing towards the skin.

16. An infant garment for monitoring biophysical characteristics of an infant wearing such garment, comprising:

a fabric garment with a torso portion;

a first fabric portion at the torso portion comprising a skin contacting surface and an inner surface and that includes stretch-recovery non-conductive yarns and at least one electrically conductive region comprising stretch-recovery electrically conductive yarn filaments;

a second fabric portion comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, and that includes stretch-recovery non-conductive yarns and at least one electrically conductive region comprising stretch-recovery electrically conductive yarn filaments, wherein the second fabric portion overlays at least a portion of the first fabric portion and the at least one electrically conductive region of the second fabric portion contacts the at least one electrically conductive region of the first fabric portion; and

a connector for connecting the at least one electrically conductive region of the second fabric portion to a device or a lead to a device for receiving signals transmitted which represent biophysical data for the infant.

17. The infant garment of claim 16, further comprising

a third fabric portion at the torso portion comprising a skin contacting surface and an inner surface and that includes stretch-recover non-conductive yarns and at least one electrically conductive region comprising stretch-recovery electrically conductive yarn filaments;

a fourth fabric portion comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, and that includes stretch-recovery non-conductive yarns and at least one electrically conductive region comprising stretch-recovery electrically conductive yarn filaments, wherein the fourth fabric portion overlays at least a portion of the third fabric portion and the at least one electrically conductive region of the fourth fabric portion contacts the at least one electrically conductive region of the third fabric portion; and

a second conductor for connecting the at least one electrically conductive region of the fourth fabric portion to a device or a lead to a device for receiving signals transmitted which represent biophysical data for the infant.

18. The infant garment of claim 16, further comprising a sleeve portion of the garment in which a textile based electrode is formed.

19. The infant garment of claim 16, wherein the connector is selected from the group consisting of:

snap, rivet, pin and clamp.

20. The infant garment of claim 16, wherein at least one of:

(i) the electrically conductive region of the first fabric portion; and

(ii) the electrically conductive region of the second fabric portion;

comprises an elastic yarn at least partially plated with a conductive yarn

21. The infant garment of claim 16, wherein the (i) the electrically conductive region of the first fabric portion;

and (ii) the electrically conductive region of the second fabric portion;

comprise an elastic yarn at least partially plated with a conductive yarn.

22. The infant garment of claim 16, wherein at least one of:

(i) the electrically conductive region of the first fabric portion; and

(ii) the electrically conductive region of the second fabric portion, comprises a fabric having a textured or ribbed construction.

23. The infant garment of claim 16, wherein (i) the electrically conductive region of the first fabric portion;

and (ii) the electrically conductive region of the second fabric portion, both comprise float yarns that are stitched together.