Design and development of embroidered textile electrodes for continuous measurement of electrocardiogram signals

Abstract

Textile electrodes are a new and potential choice for long term and continuous monitoring of electrocardiogram measurements. In this research, textile electrodes have been designed and developed by embroidering conductive yarn on the polyester fabric to measure electrocardiogram biosignals of patients. Silver-coated nylon thread is embroidered on 100% polyester fabric in square form 11 mm × 11 mm with satin stitches in order to form three heart vectors (V3, V4, and V5). These electrodes are characterized based on electrode impedance and electrocardiogram measurement and the results are compared with the commercially available disposable Ag/AgCl electrodes. Further, additional tests have been performed using an electrode designed with 50% of the conductive thread used in the original sample. Real-time electrocardiogram signals, QRS-complex, P-wave, and T-wave were obtained for 10 subjects using existing hospital electrocardiogram equipment. The performance and repeatability of the electrode designed with 50% less conductive thread and effect of laundering were also studied. The results showed that the impedance of electrode has an acceptable value of 1.45 MΩ/cm2. Ageing tests showed that there is only a negligible deviation in the performance of the electrode. The results after laundering showed that the performance of the electrode is not affected by the laundering process.