Physiological Monitoring Garment

• US 20110105861A1
• Filed: 08/31/2010
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: Derchak, P. Alexander, Czapla, Larry, Rogan, Catherine Anne
• Granted Patent: US 8,475,371 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0223 Magnetic field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0823 Detecting or evaluating cough events
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/109 Metal or metal-coated fiber-containing scrim

Abstract

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for monitoring characteristics of a subject. A system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a sensor subsystem including at least one respiratory sensor disposed proximate to the subject and configured to detect a respiratory characteristic of the subject, wherein the sensor subsystem is configured to generate and transmit at least one respiratory signal representing the respiratory characteristic, and at least one physiological sensor disposed proximate to the subject and configured to detect a physiological characteristic of the subject, wherein the sensor subsystem is configured to generate and transmit at least one physiological signal representing the physiological characteristic, and a processor subsystem in communication with the sensor subsystem, the processor subsystem being configured to receive at least one of the at least one respiratory signal and the at least one physiological signal.

Claims

1. A fitness monitoring system for monitoring physiological parameters of a subject engaged in a physical activity, comprising:

a sensor subsystem including a first sensor and a second sensor, wherein the first sensor comprises a multi-layered printed circuit comprising a conductive circular coil formed from printed circuit boards with layers connected together in series,

wherein the first and second sensors are responsive to changes in a parameter, and

wherein the sensor subsystem is configured to generate and transmit a signal representative of the parameter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the conductive circular coil comprises a six-layer printed circuit board having eighteen turns on each layer.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the coil is approximately two inches in diameter.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the layers are connected together in series using printed circuit layer connectors.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a battery with a voltage range of approximately 2.8V to 3.7V, configured to supply power to the magnetometer.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a microcontroller; and

driver circuitry configured to convert square wave drive from the microcontroller into efficient current drive for the coil and to provide monitoring of actual drive signals to the microcontroller.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a processor subsystem in communication with the sensor subsystem and configured to receive the signal, wherein the processor subsystem is programmed and adapted to control the sensor subsystem and to process the signal, and wherein the processor subsystem includes an empirical relationship for determining a respiratory characteristic from the signal, and wherein the processor subsystem is adapted to generate and transmit a respiratory parameter signal representing the respiratory parameter.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first an second sensors are responsive to changes in the distance therebetween, and wherein the signal representing a change in the distance between the first and second sensors.

9. The system of claim 6 further comprising a capacitor network configured to match the square wave drive to a voltage drive requirement of the coil.

10. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensor subsystem includes a device tor monitoring the subject'"'"'s movement.

11. The fitness monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the sensor subsystem includes an inertial sensor.

12. The fitness monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the sensor subsystem includes a GPS receiver.

13. A system for monitoring parameters of a subject, the system comprising:

a monitoring garment;

a magnetometer attached to the monitoring garment;

a garment circuit comprising an integral garment conductor, wherein the integral garment conductor is connected to the magnetometer, and wherein the garment circuit is configured to enable signal transmission to and from the magnetometer.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the monitoring garment is configured to conform to the body of a subject.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the monitoring garment is formed of an elastic material.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the elastic material comprises a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the integral garment conductor is stretchable.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the integral garment conductor comprises thread containing silver.

19. The system of claim 13, further comprising pockets configured to receive and securely position the magnetometer.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the pockets are disposed between an outer layer and an inner layer of the monitoring garment.

21. A method of manufacturing a physiological monitoring garment, comprising:

fabricating a garment having an inner layer and an outer layer using conductive material and non-conductive material, wherein the outer layer comprises horizontal conductive areas, and wherein the inner layer comprises conductive patches;

forming a pocket in the garment;

inserting a magnetometer into the pocket;

connecting the magnetometer to the conductive material of the garment.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the conductive material comprises conductive thread.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the pocket is formed by at least one of sonic welding, stitching, or adhesive.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the pocket is formed between the outer layer and the inner layer of the monitoring garment.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the magnetometer is attached to the conductive material by snap fasteners.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the conductive material is configured to measure a heart rate of a subject when the subject is wearing the garment.