Textile-based electrode system
View Patent ↗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 electrodes can further include float yarns and can be configured in a textured or ribbed construction. When incorporated into a garment, the electrodes can be used to monitor biophysical characteristics, such as the garment wearer's heart rate.
1. A textile-based electrode system, comprising:
at least a first fabric portion and a second fabric portion;
wherein:
the first fabric portion comprises at least a first electrically conductive region;
the second fabric portion comprises at least a second electrically conductive region;
the first and second fabric portions are disposed in a partially overlying relationship;
the electrically conductive region of the first fabric portion and the electrically conductive region of the second fabric portion cooperate to provide a region of at least partial physical contact; and
the region of partial physical contact establishes electrical conduction between the first electrically conductive region and the second electrically conductive region.
2. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 1 , 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 float yarn.
3. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 2 , 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 yams that are stitched together.
4. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 1 , 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.
5. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 1 , 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.
6. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 1 , 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.
7. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 1 , 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; further comprises at least a portion including a hydrophilic material.
8. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one hydrophobic material is incorporated into an electrically conductive region of either the first fabric portion or the second fabric portion.
9. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 1 , further comprising means for transferring signals from at least one of the electrically conductive regions to a measuring device.
10. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 9 , wherein the measuring device is attached to at least one of the fabric portions.
11. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 10 , wherein a snap engagement attaches the measuring device to at least one of the fabric portions.
12. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 11 , wherein said snap engagement is attached to at least one fabric portion and reinforced with a reinforcement material attached to said at least one fabric portion.
13. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 11 , where the measuring device is placed such that snaps used in the snap engagement are adapted for facing away from the skin.
14. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 11 , where the measuring device is placed such that snaps used in the snap engagement are adapted for facing towards the skin.
15. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 9 , wherein the measuring device is a heart rate monitor.
16. The textile-based electrode system according to claim 1 , further comprising a coating of polymer solution on and/or around the electrically conductive regions of the first fabric portion and the second fabric portion of the textile-based electrode system.