INTEGRATED DESIGN OF PHYSIOLOGICAL MULTI-PARAMETER SENSORS ON A SMART GARMENT BY ULTRA-ELASTIC E-TEXTILE

Abstract

The performance of electronic textile (E-textile)-based wearable sensors is largely determined by the wire and electrode contacting stability to the body, which is a multi-discipline challenge for smart garment designs. In this paper, an integrated design of wearable sensors on a smart garment is presented to concurrently measure the multi-channel electrocardiogram, respiration, and temperature signals in different regions of the body. Sensors in separative probe-controller schemes are introduced with full-textile designs of the electrodes and signal transmission wires. An ultra-elastic structure of E-textile wire is proposed with excellent electrical stability, high stretch ratio, and low tension under body dynamics. A complete garment integration solution of the probes, wires, and the sensors is presented. The design is evaluated by comparing the signal quality in static and moderate body movements, which shows clinical level comparable precision and stability. The proposed design may constitute a general solution of distributed noninvasive physiological multi-parameter detection and monitoring applications.