MODULAR PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING SYSTEM
A pocket for a removable and replaceable physiological monitoring device can be incorporated into an article of clothing and configured to retain the device in a position for monitoring during physical activity, while facilitating removal and replacement of the device as needed.
1 . A system comprising:
a monitoring device having a top surface with a sensor for contact with a target surface, a bottom surface opposing the top surface, and sides forming a perimeter of the monitoring device;
an article of clothing; and
a pocket securing the monitoring device in the article of clothing, the pocket including:
a retaining ring formed of a first material, the retaining ring shaped to surround the perimeter of the monitoring device and raised above a surface of the article of clothing to inhibit lateral movement of the bottom surface of the monitoring device along the surface of the article of clothing when the monitoring device is placed for use in the pocket;
a window formed of a second material, the window sized and positioned along an interior region of the article of clothing to expose the sensor to the target surface when the monitoring device is placed for use in the pocket; and
a wall formed of a third material, the wall coupling the retaining ring to the window, the third material being an elastic sheet material having a higher elasticity than the window.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a high-friction surface on an interior surface of the pocket bounded by the retaining ring, the high-friction surface selected to inhibit lateral movement of the monitoring device along the interior surface of the pocket when the monitoring device is placed for use within the pocket.
3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an access port along an edge of the pocket, the access port sized to receive the monitoring device and the access port including a seal configured to apply a force on the monitoring device inducing elastic deformation of the wall of the pocket.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the seal includes a hook-and-loop fastener along the access port.
5 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the pocket includes an interior surface bounded by the retaining ring and separated from the window by the wall of the third material, wherein the interior surface is formed of a fourth material having a lower elasticity than the third material, whereby when the access port is closed, the wall yields elastically about the perimeter of the monitoring device to urge the monitoring device away from the interior surface of the pocket and toward the target surface for the sensor.
6 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the access port is accessible through a first surface on an interior of the article of clothing contacting a wearer when the article of clothing is in use.
7 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the access port is accessible through a second surface on an exterior of the article of clothing facing away from a wearer when the article of clothing is in use.
8 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the window is smaller than a projection of the monitoring device through a plane of the window when the monitoring device is placed for use.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the window is formed of sheet material that is substantially inelastic, relative to a fourth material of an interior surface of the pocket, within the plane of the window.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the article of clothing includes an athletic undergarment.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the article of clothing includes one or more of a bicep band, a sock, a calf band, and a chest band.
12 . A pocket for securing a modular physiological monitoring device within an article of clothing, the pocket including:
a first surface providing a substrate for a monitoring device when inserted into the pocket, the first surface formed of a first sheet material having a first elasticity;
a retaining ring formed of a second material, the retaining ring forming a raised perimeter to inhibit movement of a device in the pocket along the first surface;
a wall formed of a third material having a higher elasticity than the first sheet material, the wall including an opening positioned to expose a sensor of a device when placed for use in the pocket, and the third material selected to elastically yield to the device when inserted into the pocket;
a window formed of a fourth material positioned around the opening, the fourth material having a lower elasticity than the third material of the wall; and
an access port configured to receive the device into the pocket when opened, and configured to secure the device within the pocket against an elastic force of the wall when closed.
13 . The pocket of claim 12 , wherein the first sheet material includes a high friction surface facing an interior of the pocket, the high friction surface having a greater coefficient of sliding friction than other interior surfaces of the pocket in order to inhibit lateral movement of a device within the pocket along the first surface.
14 . The pocket of claim 12 , further comprising a high friction surface treatment for the first sheet material on the first surface, the high friction surface treatment having a greater coefficient of sliding friction than other interior surfaces of the pocket in order to inhibit lateral movement of a device within the pocket along the first surface.
15 . The pocket of claim 12 , wherein the retaining ring is formed of neoprene.
16 . The pocket of claim 12 , wherein the retaining ring has a thickness of between 0.5 and 1.5 millimeters.
17 . The pocket of claim 12 , wherein the third material of the wall includes a nylon blend woven material.
18 . The pocket of claim 12 , wherein the first sheet material includes neoprene.
19 . The pocket of claim 12 , wherein the window is sized smaller than a projection of the device normal to a plane of the window when the device is placed for use in the pocket.
20 . The pocket of claim 12 , wherein the access port includes a seal, the seal including one or more of a zipper, a snap, and a hook-and-loop fastener.