Sensors, interfaces and sensor systems for data collection and integrated remote monitoring of conditions at or near body surfaces
Sensing devices including flexible and stretchable fabric-based pressure sensors, may be associated with or incorporated in garments intended to be worn against a body surface (directly or indirectly), or may be associated with other types of flexible substrates, such as sheet-like materials, bandages and other materials that contact the body (directly or indirectly), and may be provided as independently positionable sensor components. Systems and methods for storing, communicating, processing, analyzing and displaying data collected by sensor components for remote monitoring of conditions at body surfaces, or within the body, are also disclosed. Sensors and sensor systems provide substantially real-time feedback relating to current body conditions and may provide notifications or alerts to users, caretakers and/or clinicians, enabling early intervention when conditions indicate intervention is appropriate.
1. A sensing device comprising: at least one piezoresistive fabric sensor; at least two electrically conductive fabric leads extending from each piezoresistive fabric sensor; at least one electrically conductive fabric trace connected to each conductive lead, wherein each of the electrically conductive fabric traces comprises a fabric having different properties from each of the piezoresistive fabric sensors and leads; and at least one signal transfer terminal electrically connected to each conductive fabric trace; wherein each piezoresistive fabric sensor, each conductive fabric lead, each conductive fabric trace, and each signal transfer terminal is associated with a non-electrically conductive substrate, and wherein each signal transfer terminal comprises one component of a mating magnetic fastener device.
2. The sensing device of claim 1 , additionally comprising at least one additional non-fabric sensor.
3. The sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one piezoresistive fabric sensor is capable of sensing force exerted on the sensor.
4. The sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one piezoresistive fabric sensor is non-silicon-based.
5. The sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the non-electrically conductive substrate is flexible and stretchable.
6. The sensing device of claim 5 , wherein the non-electrically conductive substrate is in the form factor of a wearable garment.
7. The sensing device of claim 6 , wherein the non-electrically conductive substrate is in the form factor of a sock.
8. The sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the non-electrically conductive substrate is in the form factor of an insole.
9. The sensing device of claim 1 , additionally comprising at least one sensor capable of sensing at least one of moisture and temperature.
10. The sensing device of claim 1 , additionally comprising a substantially liquid impervious barrier enclosing at least the piezoresistive fabric sensor and each of the electrically conductive fabric leads.
11. A sensing device comprising a piezoresistive sensor; at least two electrically conductive leads extending from the sensor; at least one electrically conductive trace connected to each of the conductive leads; and at least one signal transfer terminal electrically connected to each of the conductive traces; wherein the sensor, the conductive leads, the conductive traces, and the signal transfer terminals are associated with a non-electrically conductive substrate, and wherein the signal transfer terminals comprise one component of a mating magnetic fastener device.
12. The sensing device of claim 11 , additionally comprising a dedicated electronic device having signal receipt terminals that mate magnetically with signal transfer terminals of the sensing device and a housing component with signal processing and communications components located within the housing component.
13. The sensing device of claim 11 , additionally comprising a dedicated electronic device having signal receipt terminals that mate magnetically with signal transfer terminals of the sensing device and a housing component in the form of a curved housing configured to fit partially around the lower leg or ankle of a user, with signal processing and communications components located within the housing component.
14. The sensing device of claim 11 , additionally comprising a dedicated electronic device having signal receipt terminals that mate magnetically with signal transfer terminals of the sensing device and a housing component, wherein the housing component of the dedicated electronic device is configured as a shin guard, with signal processing and communications components located within the housing component.
15. The sensing device of claim 11 , additionally comprising a dedicated electronic device having signal receipt terminals comprising a second component of the mating magnetic fastener device.
16. The sensing device of claim 15 , wherein the dedicated electronic device additionally comprises a housing component with signal processing and communications components located within the housing component.
17. The sensing device of claim 16 , wherein the housing component of the dedicated electronic device is in the form of a curved housing configured to fit partially around the lower leg or ankle of a user.
18. The sensing device of claim 15 , wherein the polarity of components of the magnetic fastener device facilitate mating of the signal transfer terminals and signal receipt terminals in a predetermined orientation.
19. The sensing device of claim 15 , wherein the components of the mating magnetic fastener device operate as conductive switches.
20. A system for data collection and remote monitoring of conditions at or near a body surface, comprising: at least one electrically conductive sensing device configured for positioning in direct or indirect contact with a portion of a user's body surface and having signal transfer terminals associated with a flexible, non-conductive substrate; a dedicated electronic device having signal processing and communications components and signal receipt terminals that receive signals from the signal transfer terminals of the sensing device; and a remote computing facility configured to receive data from the dedicated electronic device and execute data analysis in accordance with at least one of programmed and programmable instructions and routines, wherein the signal transfer terminals and the signal receipt terminals are detachably and magnetically matable.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the polarity of magnetic components of the signal transfer terminals and the signal receipt terminals is configured to facilitate mating of the signal transfer terminals and signal receipt terminals in a predetermined orientation.
22. The system of claim 20 , wherein components of the signal transfer terminals and the signal receipt terminals operate as conductive magnetic snap switches.