Sensors for inductive plethysmographic monitoring applications and apparel using the same

• US 9,375,165 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2014
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: Gal, Yoav
• Primary Examiner(s): JANG, CHRISTIAN YONGKYUN
• Application Number:
  US14/324,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20140316295A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/02 Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0809 by impedance pneumography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/091 Measuring volume of inspired or expired gases, e.g. to determine lung capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 21/06 Patterned fabrics or articles open-work fabrics D04B21/10
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 21/18 incorporating elastic threads

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.

Claims

1. A method for measuring physiological data of a user, comprising:

providing two stretchable sensor conductors onto a body part of a user, wherein;

each stretchable sensor conductor is configured to expand and contract with the movement of the body part,

each stretchable sensor conductor includes an external contact point,

the stretchable sensor conductors are connected through a bridging connection at a first end of the stretchable sensor conductors such that they form a single contiguous conductor at the first end of the stretchable sensor conductors, and

the external contact points are located at a second end of the stretchable sensor conductors; and

measuring an electrical characteristic of the stretchable sensor conductors which changes with expansion and contraction of the body part, to obtain physiological data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stretchable sensor conductors operate in a frequency range of 150 kHz to 600 kHz.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the stretchable sensor conductors operate in a frequency range of 300 kHz to 310 kHz.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing the stretchable sensor conductors around a rib cage of the user,

wherein the electrical characteristic reflects rib cage expansion and contraction.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the signals are calibrated to indicate the respiratory volume of the lungs.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the stretchable sensor conductors are incorporated in a stretchable garment.

7. A method for measuring electronic physiological data of a user, comprising:

providing two stretchable sensor conductors onto a body part of a user, wherein;

each stretchable sensor conductor is configured to expand and contract with the movement of the body part,

each stretchable sensor conductor includes an external contact point,

the stretchable sensor conductors are connected through a bridging connection at a first end of the stretchable sensor conductors, and

the external contact points are located at a second end of the stretchable sensor conductors;

connecting the sensor conductors to an impedance measuring circuit;

measuring an electrical characteristic of the stretchable sensor conductors which changes with expansion and contraction of the body part, to obtain electronic physiological data; and

determining the impedance of signals received from the stretchable sensor conductors.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the impedance measuring circuit includes an oscillator.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

matching response characteristics of the stretchable sensor conductors with response characteristics of an oscillator circuit across the operating frequency range of the oscillator.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining a frequency of an oscillator output signal; and

detecting the frequency of the oscillator output signal with a frequency detector.