Sensors for Inductive Plethysmographic Monitoring Applications and Apparel Using Same
Assigneeadidas AG
InventorYoav Gal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention includes improved IP sensors that both have improved sensitivity, performance, and other properties and are multifunctional. The improved IP sensors have IP sensor conductors with waveforms having legs that are substantially parallel throughout the operating range of stretch. The multifunctional IP sensors include, in addition to IP sensors, accessory conductors, additional sensors, and other compatible modules. This inventions also includes embodiments of apparel incorporating the improved IP sensors. This apparel can range from band-like to shirt-like, and so forth, and include one or more IP sensors sensitive to expansions and contractions of underlying regions of a monitored subject.
Claims28
1-73. (canceled)
A physiological sensor for monitoring a subject, comprising:
- a substrate for placement on a body part of the monitored subject;
- two stretchable sensors fixed to the substrate, each stretchable sensor having an external contact point;
- and
- a bridging connection connecting the two stretchable sensors so that the two stretchable sensors are electrically continuous, the electrically continuous sensors having a first end and a second end,
- wherein the first end includes the bridging connection, and
- wherein the second end includes the external contact points.
A physiological monitoring apparel to be worn by a subject, comprising:
- a garment including a substrate arranged on a body part of the subject;
- two stretchable sensors fixed to the substrate, each stretchable sensor having an external contact point;
- and
- a bridging connection connecting the two stretchable sensors so that the two stretchable sensors are electrically continuous, the electrically continuous sensors having a first end and a second end,
- wherein the first end includes the bridging connection, and
- wherein the second end includes the external contact points.
A method for measuring physiological data of a user, comprising:
- providing two stretchable sensor conductors onto a body part of a user, wherein:
- each stretchable sensor conductor is configured to expand and contract with the movement of the body part;
- each stretchable sensor conductor includes an external contact point,
- the stretchable sensor conductors are connected through a bridging connection at a first end of the stretchable sensor conductors, and
- the external contact points are located at a second end of the stretchable sensor conductors;
- and
- measuring an electrical characteristic of the stretchable sensor conductors which changes with expansion and contraction of the body part, to obtain physiological data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.