CA3046370A1

CA3046370A1 - Biosensing garment

Info

Publication number: CA3046370A1
Application number: CA3046370A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Pascal FORTIER; Elina Nurkka; Aldjia Begriche
Original assignee: Honeywell Safety Products USA Inc
Current assignee: Honeywell Safety Products USA Inc
Priority date: 2016-09-16
Filing date: 2017-09-15
Publication date: 2018-03-22
Also published as: EP3525610A1; WO2018049532A1; EP3525610A4

Abstract

Embodiments described herein relate generally to wearable electronic biosensing garments. A biosensing garment includes a first stretchable cup configured to receive a first breast of a wearer during use, and a second stretchable cup configured to receive a second breast of the wearer during use. The biosensing garment also includes a rigid portion, a chest band, and a mesh portion. The rigid portion is disposed between the first stretchable cup and the second stretchable cup and configured to couple the first stretchable cup to the second stretchable cup. The chest band is configured to be disposed about the chest of the wearer. The mesh portion is disposed between the first and second stretchable cups, and the chest band, and is configured to couple the first and second stretchable cups to the chest band. The biosensing garment is configured to limit three-dimensional movement of the first and second breasts of the wearer during use.

Description

2 BIO SENSING GARMENT
Cross-Reference to Related Applications [1001] This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/395,708 entitled "Biosensing Garment," filed September 16, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[1002] This application is also related to International Patent Application No.
PCT/CA2016/051034 entitled "Systems and Methods for Monitoring Respiration in a Biosensing Garment," filed August 31, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[1003] This application is also related to International Patent Application No.
PCT/CA2016/051274 entitled "Biosensing Garment," filed November 2, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Background [1004] The adoption of wearable consumer electronics, or "smart clothing,"
is currently on the rise. Biosensing garments, a subset of wearable electronics, are designed to interface with a wearer of the garment, and to determine information such as the wearer's heart rate, rate of respiration, activity level, body positioning, etc. Such properties can be measured via skin contact with a sensor assembly that includes one or more sensors for signal transduction and/or microprocessors for analysis. A drawback of many biosensing garments on the market today, however, is that they contain bulky electronic hardware, wires, and other components that can make them uncomfortable to the wearer. In particular, biosensing garments, such as sports bras, are known to compress the wearer's chest, resulting in discomfort during sporting activities. As such, there is a general need for biosensing garments that are more comfortable to wear during activities while maintaining proper skin contact for reliable data acquisition from the wearer's body.
Summary [1005]
Embodiments described herein relate generally to wearable electronic biosensing garments. In some embodiments, the biosensing garment includes a high impact biosensing bra that can limit movement of the breasts of a wearer in three dimensions by employing at least one of adjustable straps, lateral stitches with flexible materials, non-stretchable center front panel, and contoured cups with high stretchability while maintaining its overall cup shape. During sporting activities, including running, the breasts are supported by the biosensing bra so that they do not move up and down (vertically), back and forth, or left to right or right to left (laterally). Biosensing bras incorporating the designs and materials as described herein exhibit functional performance advantages as well as aesthetic desirability.
[1006] In some embodiments, a biosensing garment includes a first stretchable cup configured to receive a first breast of a wearer during use, and a second stretchable cup configured to receive a second breast of the wearer during use. The biosensing garment also includes a rigid portion, a chest band, and a mesh portion. The rigid portion is disposed between the first stretchable cup and the second stretchable cup and configured to couple the first stretchable cup to the second stretchable cup. The rigid portion can have a substantially uniform width, for example of less than about 40 mm. The chest band is configured to be disposed about the chest of the wearer. The mesh portion is disposed between the first and second stretchable cups, and the chest band, and is configured to couple the first and second stretchable cups to the chest band. The mesh portion can comprise at least about 20% mesh material. The biosensing garment is configured to limit three-dimensional movement of the first and second breasts of the wearer during use.
[1007] The biosensing garment can also include a first strap coupled to and extending from the first stretchable cup, and a second strap coupled to and extending from the second stretchable cup, where each of the first strap and the second strap includes a strap adjustment (e.g., including a plurality of "loops" or "pockets") configured for adjustment of a length thereof The strap adjustment (e.g., each of the plurality of loops) can be configured to receive a corresponding swan hook therein.
[1008] In some embodiments, each strap adjustment is secured to the first and second straps via ultrasonic welds. One or both of the first strap and the second strap can be substantially rigid. One or both of the first strap and the second strap can include an inner stabilizer layer and an outer layer surrounding the inner stabilizer layer, optionally further including a breathable mesh layer.
[1009] In some embodiments, the chest band includes a first side portion and a second side portion, each of the first and second side portions including a two-way stretchable fabric or a four-way stretchable fabric. The first and second side portions can also include a substantially rigid fabric.
[1010] In some embodiments, the biosensing garment also includes a sensor assembly configured to perform transduction of signals received from skin of the wearer.
[1011] In some embodiments, the biosensing garment is a sports bra.
[1012] In some embodiments, the biosensing garment each of the first stretchable cup and the second stretchable cup of the biosensing garment is stretchable along an axis with a stretchable rating of at least 25%.
[1013] In some embodiments, the biosensing garment also includes a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein each of the first and second side portions is stretchable along an axis with a stretchable rating of at least 30%.
[1014] In some embodiments, a biosensing garment includes first and second stretchable cups configured to receive first and second breasts, respectively, of a wearer during use. The first and second stretchable cups can include a two-way stretchable fabric or a four-way stretchable fabric. The biosensing garment also includes a mesh portion, a first racerback layer, and a second, mesh racerback layer. The mesh portion is disposed between: (1) the first and second stretchable cups; and (2) a chest band, and configured to couple the first and second stretchable cups to the chest band. The first racerback layer is coupled to the chest band and configured to contact a back of the wearer during use. The first racerback layer can be stretchable along an axis with a stretchable rating of at least 40%. The second, mesh, racerback layer overlies the first racerback layer and is coupled to the chest band. The biosensing garment is configured to limit three-dimensional movement of the breasts during use.
[1015] In some embodiments, the biosensing garment also includes a first strap coupled to and extending from the first stretchable cup, and a second strap coupled to and extending from the second stretchable cup. Each of the first and second straps can include a respective strap adjustment configured for adjustment of a length thereof Each strap adjustment can

3 include a plurality of loops, where each of the plurality of loops is configured to receive a corresponding swan hook therein and has a width, for example, of about 6 mm.
[1016] In some embodiments, each of the first and second straps has a width of about 2.5 cm at a location configured to contact a shoulder of the wearer.
[1017] In some embodiments, each of the first and second straps includes a plurality of straps, and each strap of each plurality of straps can have a length of, for example, about 20cm.
[1018] In some embodiments, the biosensing garment also includes a sensor assembly configured to perform transduction of signals received from the skin of the wearer.
[1019] In some embodiments, the biosensing garment also includes an underwire disposed adjacent to an underside of each of the first and second stretchable cups.
[1020] In some embodiments, the biosensing garment is a sports bra.
Brief Description of the Drawings [1021] FIG. 1A shows a front view of a biosensing garment, according to an embodiment.
[1022] FIG. 1B shows a back view of a biosensing garment of FIG. 1A, according to an embodiment.
[1023] FIG. 2 shows a front view of a biosensing garment showing four-way stretchable support axes of the contoured cups of the biosensing garment, according to an embodiment.
[1024] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a biosensing garment showing four-way stretchable support axes of the side of the biosensing garment, according to an embodiment.
[1025] FIG. 4 shows a back view of a biosensing garment having a double racerback configuration, and showing stretchable support axes, according to an embodiment.
[1026] FIG. 5A shows a front view of a biosensing garment, according to an embodiment.
[1027] FIG. 5B shows a cross-section of a strap, according to an embodiment.

4 [1028] FIG. 5C
shows a cross-section of a strap adjustment prior to attachment to a strap, according to an embodiment.
[1029] FIG. 5D
shows a cross-section of the strap adjustment and the strap, according to an embodiment.
[1030] FIG. 5E
shows a perspective view of an assembled strap, according to an embodiment.
[1031] FIG. 5F
shows a plan view of the assembled strap and strap hook, according to an embodiment.
Detailed Description [1032] Wearable electronics such as biosensing garments (and the electronic textiles from which they are made) are subjected to different mechanical stresses than traditional garments due to their design and intended purposes of maintaining proper skin contact to acquire physiological data from the wearer's body. As such, traditional garments used for sporting activities, such as a sports bra, typically flatten the breasts when worn, in order to prevent the breasts from moving excessively. Unlike traditional garments used for sporting activities, the biosensing garments, including biosensing bras, described herein can be stretched and flexed to accommodate a wearer's breasts without compressing them during physical activities. The designs and fabrics/materials used in the biosensing bra as described herein exhibit functional performance advantages as well as aesthetic desirability.
In some embodiments, the biosensing bra can be adjusted to form a proper fit via its easily adjustable straps and/or conforming stretchable components. In some instances, the wearer can adjust the biosensing bra depending on the mood or the sporting activity undertaken, or an over layer, shirt, blouse or camisole being worn.
[1033] It is well known that wearing a proper bra during sporting activities has a significant impact on comfort to the wearer because breasts can be seen as a spring and damper model where the damping effect is harmful. A high impact biosensing bra as described herein can be configured to limit (or "dampen") movements of the wearer's breasts in three dimensions by employing at least one of adjustable straps, strategically placed flexible fabrics/materials, and highly stretchable contoured cups that can maintain its cup shape. In addition, the impact absorbing racerback as described herein can help dissipate the impact through the biosensing bra instead of the impact being absorbed by wearer's breasts.
[1034] During sporting activities, including running and jogging, the contoured cups of the biosensing bra can support and contain the breasts by substantially limiting their movements so that they do not freely move up and down, back and forth, or left to right or right to left. By employing the appropriate materials and engineering designs as set forth herein, the biosensing bra, rather than the breasts, can absorb the impact of damping. An objective of embodiments of the present disclosure is to maintain the breasts in a more comfortable state (s compared with traditional sports bras) by substantially reducing the impact on the breasts caused by movements during physical activity. The biosensing bra can be designed so that the impact is absorbed across predetermined components of the biosensing bra, not necessarily including the cups holding the breasts. In other words, the biosensing bra can re-distribute undesired damping effects to parts of the biosensing bra such that the wearer experiences a reduced amount of impact and associated pain and discomfort.
[1035] In some embodiments, to achieve an improved comfort level, the engineering of the biosensing bra begins with the cups, which are built in a contoured shape and are constructed using stretchable fabrics, including four-way stretchable and light fabrics to ensure the biosensing bra follows the shape of (i.e., conforms to) the breasts as they move.
In other words, the biosensing bra is designed to easily adapt to any breast shape, by virtue of the use of suitable materials in the biosensing bra, for example polyester, nylon and/or elastane. In some embodiments, the biosensing bra can include a thick fabric, a fabric having a predetermined weight (e.g., having a weight per square meter of from about 100 grams per square meter (gsm to about 200 gsm), a textured fabric (e.g., brushed, embossed, and/or quilted), or a fabric with multiple (e.g., up to three) layers of the same or different fabrics, for additional support and padding. In some embodiments, the biosensing bra can include a fabric or material to hide (i.e., camouflage) the contours or shapes of the underlying body parts, including sensitive parts of the wearer, such as a nipple, from showing their shape.

[1036] In some embodiments, the biosensing bra can include meshes, including panels of meshed fabrics on the front and on the back of the biosensing bra for increased breathability in tightly fitted garments. In some embodiments, the fabrics and meshes used in the biosensing bra are designed to manage moisture particularly well to maintain appropriate (sweat/water) wicking properties. Additionally, the biosensing bra can include removable padding to provide additional support for the breasts. In some embodiments, the biosensing bra can include Flexsoft underwire and/or UltraFlex underwire in various parts of the biosensing bra, including the contoured cups, to provide a more comfortable support for breasts.
[1037] To further alleviate the impact of movements (e.g., bouncing) during physical activities, the back of the biosensing bra can be designed to absorb a substantial amount the impact and damp the movement of breasts. For example, the biosensing bra can be designed with a special "racerback" back portion that substantially dissipates the impact from most or all motions of the breasts during physical activities, including strenuous physical activities such as running. In other words, the biosensing bra can be designed in a way that the motions and movements that occur on the front side of the biosensing bra during sporting activities can be re-distributed to the back of the biosensing bra where the damping effect can be less noticeable and/or harmful, and/or create a reduced amount of discomfort as compared with traditional sports bras.
[1038] During some sporting activities, such as running, it has been reported that the impact of damping is most apparent and felt greatest on the straps of the sports bra worn over shoulders. Some such reports also state that the straps are the primary failure point in traditional garments, such as a sports bra. In order to reduce the impact on the shoulder straps (i.e., straps forces) and to reduce slippage of straps over the shoulders during physical activities (or during normal usage or general occurrences), a biosensing bra can employ, for example, non-stretchable (i.e., stiff) or substantially non-stretchable straps to re-direct most downward (and lateral) forces to the back of the biosensing bra where the impact can dissipate into a highly stretchable portion of the biosensing bra. This design can protect the breasts, as well as the shoulder straps, from fully absorbing impact forces by re-routing much of the strain to the back of the biosensing bra. Such designs can reduce harmful effects and discomfort to the breasts, and can reduce the amount of strain transferred to the wearer's shoulders via the straps.
[1039] To further decrease the strain on straps and to prolong its functional lifetime, the straps can be constructed using multiple layers of materials, including a soft outer layer with breathable fabric that sandwiches an inner stabilizer layer. For example, a non-stretchable stabilizer layer, a soft outer layer, and a breathable mesh layer can be bonded together to form a triple-layer strap that is non-stretchable, comfortable and breathable.
In some instances, the straps in the biosensing bra can also have adjustment levels with "swan" hooks (or any other type of hook of fastener that is suitable for removable attachment of a strap to a garment body) and loops on the straps to provide the wearer with adjustable length of the straps so that the biosensing bra can be worn comfortably. To provide a large enough adjustment range, multiple swan loops are disposed on the straps to include a "ladder" of loops to which the swan hook can attach for changing the strap length. To ensure the wearer's comfort, the biosensing bra incorporates the adjustment levels by ultrasonically welding the ladder of loops onto the straps.
[1040] While using a non-stretchable strap can limit the elastic band of the biosensing bra to move upward (i.e., pushing the biosensing bra up), it can also limit the breasts to move forward on impact. But to alleviate the impact of other movements, such as swiveling (left to right or right to left), the sides of the biosensing bra can be designed to dissipate such impact and dampen the lateral motions associated with swiveling. In some embodiments, the sides of the biosensing bra can include a four-way stretchable fabric to provide ample accommodation and a great comfort by allowing movements. In some embodiments, the sides of the biosensing bra can include a two-way stretchable (e.g., horizontal direction) fabric to provide accommodation for different sizes and body types while substantially limiting the vertical motion of breasts. In some embodiments, the sides of the biosensing bra can include a two-way stretchable (e.g., vertical direction) fabric to provide firmer support and/or comfort, and limit swiveling movements of the breasts. In some embodiments, the sides of the biosensing bra can include a stiff portion (non-stretchable) that can provide additional support by substantially limiting all motions, including swiveling motions from left to right or right to left.

[1041] In some embodiments, biosensing garments comprise one or more textiles (e.g., cloths, fabrics, etc.) including a network of natural and/or synthetic fibers.
The textiles may derive from one or more sources, including plant sources (e.g., cotton, flax, hemp, jute, modal, bamboo, pifia, ramie, milkweed stalk, lyocell, polyamide, etc.), animal sources (e.g., wool, silk, milk proteins, etc.), mineral sources (e.g., asbestos, glass fibres, etc.), and/or synthetic sources (e.g., nylon, polyester, polyamide, acrylic, aramid fibre, spandex, polyurethane, olefin fibre, ingeo, polylactide, lurex, carbon fibre, etc.).
Strands of the textiles can include coatings such as waxes. Such textiles may be formed from one or more processes, including (but not limited to): weaving, knitting, crocheting, forming from tow, braiding, felting, thermal and/or mechanical bonding, and/or the like. When a textile is formed by knitting, any suitable knitting pattern can be used, for example, circular knitting (also known as "knitting in the round," creating a seamless tube), single, double, jersey, interlocked, mock rib, ribbed, two-way stretch, or any other suitable knitting pattern or combination thereof [1042] In some embodiments, biosensing electrodes are affixed to and/or incorporated into the biosensing garment, for example in the vicinity of a wearer's chest or torso region.
Other locations of the biosensing garment, corresponding with other portions of a wearer's anatomy, can also be suitable for the placement of biosensing electrodes, and are contemplated by this disclosure. By way of non-limiting example, one or more electrodes may be positioned on a shoulder region, arm region, wrist region, abdominal region, torso region, back region, side region, or any other location on a biosensing garment that allows for the detection of biosignals.
[1043] Although embodiments described herein and depicted in the figures show particular exemplary distributions of stretchable regions, other shapes and positioning of stretchable regions (whether or not substantially uniform) within a biosensing garment are also contemplated by this disclosure. By way of non-limiting example, stretchable regions of the disclosure may have an asymmetric, circular, polygonal, circumferential, patch, or any other suitable shape. Also, by way of non-limiting example, stretchable regions of the disclosure may be positioned on a chest region, arm region, wrist region, abdominal region, torso region, or any other location on a biosensing garment.

[1044] In some embodiments, biosensing garments of the present disclosure include conductor and electrode configurations with high signal quality, durability and reliability.
For example, a scalable metal-based electrode system or configuration can be implemented that overcomes disadvantages commonly associated with other textile-based electrodes, both in dry environments and in moist environments (e.g., in the presence of sweat). In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a biosensing garment and a plurality of electrical connectors that are mechanically fastened to the biosensing garment. In some such embodiments, at least one array (e.g., a configuration, cluster, arrangement, and/or the like) of rivet or snap electrodes is electrically coupled, via a conductive pathway, to a corresponding one of the plurality of electrical connectors, and each rivet or snap electrode of the electrode array is mechanically fastened to the biosensing garment.
Some examples of biosensing garments and apparatuses that includes a biosensing garment are described in an International Patent Application No. PCT/CA2016/051034, titled "Systems and Methods for Monitoring Respiration in a Biosensing Garment," filed August 31, 2016, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[1045] As used herein, the term "electrode" refers to an electrical conductor configured to contact a non-metallic surface including a skin of a wearer (e.g., a human or an animal) and measure electrical signals corresponding to one or more physiological parameters of the wearer. An electrode also functions, at least in part, to interact with a part of a circuit. In some embodiments, the electrode can be knitted from a conductive yarn such as, for example, CIRCUITEXTm conductive XSTATICO silver metallized yarn, stainless steel thread, polyaniline yarn, and/or any other suitable conductive yarn.
Electrodes of the present disclosure can comprise any suitable electrical conductor, including metals such as (but not limited to) copper, silver, steel (e.g., stainless steel), tin, lead, tin/lead (SnPb), gold, platinum, aluminum, nickel, zinc, combinations or alloys thereof, and/or the like, carbon (including metallized, non-metallized, mediated and non-mediated), electroceramics, and/or conductive polymers. Electrodes of the present disclosure may take the form of inks, films (e.g., screen-printed, vacuum-deposited, painted, and/or the like), foils, plates, thin films, thick films, rivets, connectors (e.g., snaps), threads, wires, combinations thereof, and/or the like. In some embodiments, electrodes of the present disclosure may include "chemically modified electrodes" (CMEs), "ion-selective electrodes" (ISEs), and/or any electrode suitable for use in electrochemical applications. In some embodiments, the electrode itself may serve as and/or comprise a sensing element.
[1046] The electrodes of the present disclosure can have any suitable size or shape such as, for example, square, rectangular, circular, elliptical, oval, or polygonal. In some embodiments, a padding member can be disposed on an outer surface of a fabric layer disposed adjacent to an electrode.
[1047] In some embodiments, biosensing garments described herein are designed to include and/or interface with one or more sensors or sensor assemblies, including (but not limited to) electrical sensors (e.g., bio-potential, breath rhythm, sweat conductivity, etc.), electrochemical sensors (e.g., pH, ion, etc.), organic sensors (e.g., protein detection, etc.), electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) sensors, heart rate sensors, breathing rate sensors, temperature sensors and/or other physical biosensors, chemical sensors, acoustic wave sensors, IR sensors, UV sensors, humidity sensors, moisture sensors, ion sensors (e.g., capable of detecting the presence of chloride, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), motion sensors, accelerometers, glucose detectors, pressure sensors, strain sensors, on-skin sensors, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the sensor assemblies described herein are configured to perform skin conductance measurements in order, for example, to determine an Electrodermal Response (EDR) and/or an Electrodermal Level (EDL).

Sensors according to the present disclosure may be in the form of discrete parts mounted to, embedded in, or located apart from the biosensing garment. In some embodiments, sensors according to the present disclosure may comprise a coating on at least a portion of the textile material and/or on the fibers from which the textile or "fabric" material is formed.
[1048] In some embodiments, biosensing garments described herein, by virtue of the operation of their respective sensor assemblies and, optionally, with further processing of signals received and transmitted by the sensor assemblies, determine quantitative data about a wearer, such as (but not limited to): heart rate, heart rate variability, activity level, activity schedule, sleep schedule, calorie expenditure, breathing rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, V02 max, oxygen saturation, hydration level, skin temperature, and/or other physiological data. In some embodiments, biosensing garments described herein, by virtue of the operation of their respective sensor assemblies and, optionally, with further processing of signals received and transmitted by the sensor assemblies, determine one or more qualitative properties of a wearer, such as (but not limited to): state of health, physiological condition (e.g., hydration, sleep deficit, sleep patterns), cognitive mental state, tension, and/or emotional mental state (e.g., happiness, sadness, concentration, confusion, frustration, disappointment, hesitation, cognitive overload, focus, degree of engagement, attentiveness, boredom, confidence, trust, delight, satisfaction, worry, curiosity, and/or the like).
[1049] As used herein, the terms "about" and "approximately" generally mean plus or minus 10% of the value stated, for example about 250 um would include 225 um to 275 um, about 1,000 um would include 900 um to 1,100 um.
[1050] As used herein, the term "fabric" can refer to cotton, polyester, lycra, spandex, bamboo, Gore-Tex , nylon, polypropylene, tencel, wool, x-static, or any other man-made or natural textile or substrate suitable for use in biosensing applications and/or performance sports clothing.
[1051] As used herein, the term "knit" or "knitted" refers to layers, portions, or components included in a textile-based electrode system that are formed by interlacing yarn or threads in a series of connected loops with needles.
[1052] As used herein, the terms "continuously," "seamless" and "seamlessly" refer to the integration of layers, portions, or components included in a textile-based electrode system without any seams, interruptions, transitions, or indications of disparity resulting in a visually appealing appearance which improves a wearer's comfort by reducing chafing and pressure on the skin that are usually caused by seams.
[1053] While various embodiments of the system, methods and devices have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in a certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure would recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and such modification are in accordance with the variations of the invention.
Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. The embodiments have been particularly shown and described, but it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made. Some examples of methods and devices related to biosensing garments are described in International Patent Application No. PCT/CA2016/051274 entitled "Biosensing Garment," filed November 2, 2016, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[1054] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a front view and a rear view, respectively, of a biosensing bra 100 are shown. Depending upon the desired application, the biosensing bra 100 can also a shirt-like garment, brassiere (e.g., a "sports bra," as discussed further herein) or any other wearable garment or portion thereof, or a segment of fabric in a wearable form that can provide support for breasts. In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 100 includes cups 120, a rigid portion 125 that separates the cups 120, a chest band 130 configured to be disposed about the chest region of a wearer, and a mesh portion 135 disposed between the cups 120 and the band 130. In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 100 includes sides 140, a back 160, straps 180, and an adjustable "swan" hook 190. In addition, the biosensing bra 100 can include optional components, such as fold over elastic portions 150 throughout the biosensing bra 100 and a mesh portion 165 of the back 160 for functional and/or aesthetic purposes.
[1055] In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 100 includes molded/padded bra cups 120 that are stitched or otherwise affixed to an inner mesh lining, and are therefore "fully integrated." The fully integrated cups can be configured to provide a level of physical support (e.g., "medium" support) sufficient for most forms of exercises (e.g., high-impact exercises such as running). Although fully integrated, the cups 120 do not need to be removed for washing, and they do not become folded or creased during washing, but rather retain their shape (e.g., more effectively than loose cups or removable cups do). Differently sized cups can be used for different breast sizes, e.g., A, B, C, and D. In some embodiments, fully integrated cups 120 are configured to provide greater biomechanical support than loose cups, for example because they cannot move around inside the lining.

[1056] In some embodiments, the cups 120 are designed to be contoured in shape and can include stretchable fabrics and/or light fabrics to ensure the biosensing bra 100 can accommodate and follow (i.e., conform with) the shape of the breasts as they move. In some embodiments, the cups 120 are designed to retain their shape so as to achieve and maintain a substantially similar form when worn, including during physical activities.
In some embodiments, the rigid portion 125 is disposed between the cups 120 so as to aid the cups 120 in conforming to the shapes of the breasts. In other words, the biosensing bra 100 is designed to easily adapt to any breast shape, by virtue of the use of suitable materials and/or designs set forth herein, while substantially retaining the shape of the cups 120. In some embodiments, the contours of the cups 120 are more accommodating compared to traditional sports bras, which tend to flatten the breasts since traditional sports bras are designed to indiscriminately (e.g., isotropically) compress the breasts so as to prevent them from moving freely.
[1057] In some embodiments, the cups 120 can cover a portion of the breasts of the wearer. In some embodiments, the cups 120 can cover a portion of the breasts, including nipples. In some embodiments, the cups 120 can cover a portion of the breasts, not including nipples. In some embodiments, the cups 120 can cover 50% of the breasts, whereas the 50% coverage includes covering nipples and below the 50% coverage does not include covering nipples. In some embodiments, the cups 120 can cover at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or about 100%, inclusive of all percentages of coverage of the breasts therebetween.
[1058] In some embodiments, the cups 120 include a stretchable fabric. In some embodiments, the cups 120 include a light fabric. In some embodiments, the cups 120 include a fabric comprising one or more materials, such as polyester, nylon and/or elastane.
In some embodiments, the cups 120 include one or more textiles (e.g., cloths, fabrics, etc.) that include a network of natural or synthetic fibers. The textiles may be derived from one or more sources, including plant sources (e.g., cotton, flax, hemp, jute, modal, bamboo, piña, ramie, milkweed stalk, viscose, lyocell, polyamide, etc.), animal sources (e.g., wool, silk, milk proteins, etc.), mineral sources (e.g., asbestos, glass fibres, etc.), and/or synthetic sources (e.g., nylon, polyester, polyamide, acrylic, aramid fibre, spandex, polyurethane, olefin fibre, ingeo, polylactide, lurex, carbon fibre, etc.). Strands of the textiles can include coatings such as waxes. Such textiles may be formed from one or more processes, including (but not limited to): weaving, knitting, crocheting, forming from tow, braiding, felting, thermal and/or mechanical bonding, and/or the like. When a textile is formed by knitting, any suitable knitting pattern can be used, for example, circular knitting (also known as "knitting in the round," creating a seamless tube), single, double, jersey, interlocked, mock rib, ribbed, two-way stretch, or any other suitable knitting pattern or combination thereof [1059] In some embodiments, the cups 120 include a thick fabric. In some embodiments, the cups 120 include a fabric having a predetermined weight (e.g., having a weight per square meter of from about 100 gsm to about 200 gsm). In some embodiments, the cups 120 include a textured (e.g., brushed, embossed, and/or quilted) fabric. In some embodiments, the cups 120 include a fabric with multiple layers. For example, the fabric can include up to three layers of the same or different fabrics. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include different materials, including a soft material for contact with a wearer's breasts/skin on an interior portion (i.e., a wearer-facing portion) and a textured material as an outer layer for the cups 120. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include one or more stretchable fabric. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include one or more light fabric. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include one or more thick fabric. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include one or more textured fabric.
[1060] As used herein, the term "fabric" can refer to cotton, polyester, lycra, spandex, bamboo, Gore-Tex , nylon, polypropylene, tencel, wool, x-static, or any other man-made or natural textile or substrate suitable for use in biosensing applications and/or performance sports clothing.
[1061] In some embodiments, the rigid portion 125 includes a non-stretchable fabric or material. During physical activities, such as running or jumping, the rigid portion 125 can remain non-stretchable while the cups 120 on either side of the rigid portion 125 can be stretched and/or flexed, or can otherwise remain conformal with the shapes of the breasts as they move. In some embodiments, the rigid portion 125 can be considered as a "separator"

that decouples the motions of the cups 120 from one another. Said another way, the movement of one of the breasts can be substantially isolated from the movement of the other breast by disposing the rigid portion 125 in-between the two highly adaptive flowable/stretchable cups 120 that are supporting the breasts.
[1062] In some embodiments, the chest band 130 includes a width sufficient to accommodate a sensor assembly (not shown). In some embodiments, the chest band can include a two-way stretchable elastic band (e.g., horizontal direction) to ensure the sensing elements in the sensor assembly/electrodes are in skin contact with the body of the wearer. In some embodiments, the chest band 130 allows the elastic band to be flexibly adjusted for different levels of intensity in training, and/or for different body shapes and sizes. The adjustability is included to ensure that the elastic band is fitted tightly enough to impart a desired level of compression, such that the sensing elements come into/establish good electrical contact with the skin. With a compression level that is too low, in higher intensity movement, the electrodes can be prone to noise that can mask the signal. In some embodiments, the preferred level of compression to maintain both a high level of wearer comfort and a good signal quality (even in high intensity movement) under the chest band 130 is about 15 mmHg. In some embodiments, the preferred level of compression is about 11 mmHg, about 12 mmHg, about 13 mmHg, about 14 mmHg, about 16 mmHg, about 17 mmHg, about 18 mmHg, about 19 mmHg or about 20 mmHg, inclusive of all compression levels therebetween. In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 100 is configured to exert a compression force on a wearer that is higher than 15mmHg (e.g., about 20mmHg), without affecting the comfort. A wearer's sensitivity to compression can be subjective, and as such, the appropriate/desired levels of compression for different wearers can vary.
Further details and exemplary embodiments of the sensing elements, sensor assembly and elastic band are described in Exhibits A-D.
[1063] In some embodiments, combining the (stretchable) cups 120 and the rigid portion 125 with the chest band 130 that wraps around the wearer's chest/torso produces a highly supportive bra. Using this arrangement of the biosensing bra 100, the breasts of the wearer can be substantially "cupped" with considerable freedom of movement, yet kept substantially in place by the strategically placed rigid components for improved comfort.

Some embodiments of the biosensing bra 100 described herein are as effective as traditional sports bras in restricting breast movements during physical activities, but with reduced pain, discomfort, and/or the undesirable flattened appearance of breasts commonly associated with traditional sports bras.
[1064] In some embodiments, the mesh portion 135 is included in the biosensing bra 100. In some embodiments, the "underbust area" of the mesh portion 135 can be shaped such that it adds support and stability to the underbust region and/or shaped (e.g., curved) as an aesthetic element. In some embodiments, the front of the biosensing bra 100 has a slight V-shaped neckline. In some embodiments, the front of the biosensing bra 100 has a curved neckline. In some embodiments, some or all of the edges of the biosensing sports bra are finished with fold over elastic portions 150 comprising a soft elastic binding and/or a binding made from the "body" fabric itself In some embodiments, the mesh portion 135 is configured to increase a moisture evaporation rate, or "breathability" of a biosensing bra (as compared with a garment that does not include a mesh portion). Said another way, the mesh portion 135 can be configured to wick sweat and/or water from a wearer, particularly during physical activities. By including the mesh portion 135 between the cups 120 and the chest band 130, the biosensing bra 100 can manage the moisture as well as the body temperature of the wearer via meshes in the mesh portion 135 that allow increased evaporation of sweat/water and/or help to regulate the body temperature. In some embodiments, the mesh portion 135 is configured to increase stability and/or support of a biosensing bra (as compared with a garment or bra that does not include a mesh portion).
[1065] FIG. 2 shows a front view of a biosensing bra 200, according to an embodiment.
In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 200 includes cups 220, a rigid portion disposed in-between the cups 220, chest band 230, a mesh portion 235, and straps 280. To illustrate stretchability of the cups 220, four-way stretchable support axes are shown with arrows and are indicated as Xl, X1', Yl, and Y1' directions in FIG. 2. It is to be understood that any other stretching directions can be described as superimposed directions between any of the four designated directions of stretching. It is also understood that while one or more portions of the cups 220 may be stretched at a given time, one or more other portions of the cups 220 may not be stretched at all, or to a lesser extent, at the given time. Said another way, in some embodiments, the cups 220 can be stretched non-uniformly with one portion of the cups 220 being stretched more than another portion of the cups 220, depending on the motion of the breasts.
[1066] In some embodiments, when the biosensing bra 200 is worn by a wearer, the breasts of the wearer are substantially supported within the cups 220. During physical activities and/or normal routine usage, the motions of the breasts are limited by the cups 220. The cups 220 of the biosensing bra 200 can comfortably accommodate and support the breasts of the wearer without having to compress the breasts. Said another way, a wearer can wear the biosensing bra 200 with "appropriate" size of cups 220 so that the wearer is comfortable wearing the biosensing bra 200.
[1067] In some embodiments, the cups 220 include a stretchable fabric with a certain stretchability rating or range of stretchability ratings. In the embodiments described herein, the stretchability rating refers to the increased percentage of a dimension of the fabric when it is in a fully stretched state, as compared with its natural un-stretched state; for example, a fabric that is 100 cm in length along the X1-X1' axis with 5% stretchability rating refers to a fabric that can stretch up to 105 cm along the X1-X1' axis. In some embodiments, the stretching direction of the cups 220 takes place along the X1-X1' axis. In some embodiments, the stretching direction of the cups 220 takes place along the Y1 -Y1' axis.
In some embodiments, the stretching direction of the cups 220 takes place along an axis that is between the X1-X1' axis and the Yl-Y1' axis (i.e., "off-axis") during physical activities of the wearer. For such off-axis stretching directions, the stretchability ratings can be determined from a linear combination of the stretchability ratings associated with each of the two axes X1-X1' and Yl-Y1'. Since breasts are three-dimensional objects and the surface of the cups 220, which hold and are in contact with the breasts, are designed to conform to the surface of the breasts, the movements (e.g., bouncing up/down, moving front/back, and swiveling left/right) of the breasts change the surface area of the cups 220.
The stretching of the cups 220 in both the X1-X1' and Y1 -Y1' directions leads to a change in the surface area of the cups 220, and the associated change in length along the two axes X1-X1' and Yl-Y1' can be inferred.

[1068] In some embodiments, the cups 220 include a stretchable fabric that is stretchable along the Xl-X1' and/or Yl-Y1' axes with at least 1%
stretchability rating, at least 2% stretchability rating, at least 3% stretchability rating, at least 4%
stretchability rating, at least 5% stretchability rating, at least 6% stretchability rating, at least 7%
stretchability rating, at least 8% stretchability rating, at least 9%
stretchability rating, at least 10% stretchability rating, at least 11% stretchability rating, at least 12%
stretchability rating, at least 13% stretchability rating, at least 14% stretchability rating, at least 15%
stretchability rating, at least 16% stretchability rating, at least 17%
stretchability rating, at least 18% stretchability rating, at least 19% stretchability rating, at least 20% stretchability rating, at least 22% stretchability rating, at least 24% stretchability rating, at least 26%
stretchability rating, at least 28% stretchability rating, at least 30%
stretchability rating, at least 32% stretchability rating, at least 34% stretchability rating, at least 36% stretchability rating, at least 38% stretchability rating, at least 40% stretchability rating, at least 42%
stretchability rating, at least 44% stretchability rating, at least 46%
stretchability rating, at least 48% stretchability rating, at least 50% stretchability rating, at least 52% stretchability rating, at least 54% stretchability rating, at least 56% stretchability rating, at least 58%
stretchability rating, or at least 60% stretchability rating, inclusive of all stretchability ratings therebetween.
[1069] In some embodiments, the rigid portion 225 includes a non-stretchable material or fabric. In some embodiments, the rigid portion 225 includes a texture material or fabric.
In some embodiments, the rigid portion 225 includes a soft material or fabric asan interior portion (i.e., a wearer-facing portion) of the rigid portion 225 for contact with skin of the wearer. In some embodiments, the rigid portion 225 includes multiple materials or fabrics.
In some embodiments, the rigid portion 225 includes a non-stretchable material or fabric as an exterior portion and a soft material or fabric as an interior portion (i.e., a wearer-facing portion) for contact with skin of the wearer.
[1070] In some embodiments, the size of the rigid portion 225 disposed between the cups 220 is a predetermined parameter that impacts the degree of comfort of fit of the garment for a given wearer. For example, a larger width of the rigid portion 225 can be a better fit for one wearer, whereas a smaller (e.g., narrower in width) rigid portion 225 can offer more comfort for another wearer. In some embodiments, the width of the rigid portion 225 does not determine the wearer's preference and therefore the wearer may prefer certain dimensions regarding the width of the rigid portion 225 for other reasons, and may consider comfort and fit level independently of the wearer's chest size or breast size.
In some embodiments, the width of the rigid portion 225 can be about or less than 1 mm, about or less than 2 mm, about or less than 3 mm, about or less than 4 mm, about or less than 5 mm, about or less than 6 mm, about or less than 7 mm, about or less than 8 mm, about or less than 9 mm, about or less than 10 mm, about or less than 11 mm, about or less than 12 mm, about or less than 13 mm, about or less than 14 mm, about or less than 15 mm, about or less than 16 mm, about or less than 17 mm, about or less than 18 mm, about or less than 19 mm, about or less than 20 mm, about or less than 21 mm, about or less than 22 mm, about or less than 23 mm, about or less than 24 mm, about or less than 25 mm, about or less than 26 mm, about or less than 27 mm, about or less than 28 mm, about or less than 29 mm, about or less than 30 mm, about or less than 32 mm, about or less than 34 mm, about or less than 36 mm, about or less than 38 mm, about or less than 40 mm, about or less than 42 mm, about or less than 44 mm, about or less than 46 mm, about or less than 48 mm, about or less than 50 mm, about or less than 52 mm, about or less than 54 mm, about or less than 56 mm, about or less than 58 mm, about or less than 60 mm, about or less than 62 mm, about or less than 64 mm, about or less than 66 mm, about or less than 68 mm, about or less than 70 mm, about or less than 72 mm, about or less than 74 mm, about or less than 76 mm, about or less than 78 mm, about or less than 80 mm, about or less than 82 mm, about or less than 84 mm, about or less than 86 mm, about or less than 88 mm, about or less than 90 mm, about or less than 92 mm, about or less than 94 mm, about or less than 96 mm, about or less than 98 mm, or about or less than 100 mm, inclusive of all widths therebetween.
[1071] In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 200 is configured to include a gradual transition from the rigid portion 225 to the cups 220 where they are "form fitting and tight,"
to maximize comfort for the wearer while applying substantially no compression to the breasts. In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 200 is configured to include a gradual transition from the rigid portion 225 to the cups 220 and the mesh portion 235. In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 200 is configured to include an abrupt transition from the rigid portion 225 to the cups 220 and from the rigid portion 225 to the mesh portion 235.
[1072] In some embodiments, the mesh portion 235 includes the region below the cups 220 and the rigid portion 225, and above the chest band 230. In some embodiments, the mesh portion 235 includes a region that extends from one side (not shown) of the biosensing bra 200 to an opposing side of the biosensing bra 200. In some embodiments, the mesh portion 235 includes mesh material or fabric for a portion of the region and other non-mesh material or fabric for the remainder of the mesh portion 235. Said another way, the mesh portion 235 can include 0% to 100% mesh material or fabric. In some embodiments, the mesh portion 235 includes no mesh material. In some embodiments, the mesh portion 235 includes at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or about 100%, of mesh material or fabric, inclusive of all percentages therebetween.
[1073] Referring now to FIG. 3, a side view of a biosensing bra 300, according to one embodiment, is shown. In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 300 includes two cups 320 (one for each of two breasts of a wearer), a chest band 330, a side 340, and straps 380.
In some embodiments, when the biosensing bra 300 is worn by a wearer, the breasts of the wearer are substantially supported within the cups 320. During physical activities and/or normal routine usage, the motions of the breasts are limited by the cups 320.
In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 300 includes a stretchable side 340. In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 300 includes a four-way stretchable side 340 to provide ample accommodation and improved comfort (as compared with traditional sports bras) by facilitating flexibility of movement. In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 300 includes a two-way horizontally stretchable side 340 to provide accommodation for different sizes and body types while substantially limiting the vertical motion of breasts. In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 300 includes a two-way vertically stretchable side 340 to provide firmer support and/or comfort, and limit swiveling movements of the breasts. In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 300 includes a stiff and non-stretchable side 340 to provide additional support by substantially limiting all motions, including swiveling motions from left to right and right to left (i.e., lateral motion). In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 300 is designed to provide adequate adjustability, support, comfort, breathability, and/or other parameters for a wearer.
[1074] To illustrate the stretchability of the side 340, four-way stretchable support axes are shown with arrows and are indicated as X2, X2', Y2, and Y2' directions in FIG. 3. It is to be understood that any other stretching directions can be described as superimposed directions between any of the four designated directions of stretching. It is also understood that while a portion of the side 340 may be stretched at a given time, one or more other portions of the side 340 may not be stretched at all, or stretched to a lesser extent, at the given time. Said another way, in some embodiments, the side 340 can be stretched non-uniformly with one portion of the side 340 being stretched more than another portion of the side 340, depending on the motion of the breasts.
[1075] In some embodiments, the side 340 includes a stretchable fabric. In some embodiments, the side 340 includes a light fabric. In some embodiments, the side 340 includes a fabric comprising one or more materials, such as polyester, nylon and elastane.
In some embodiments, the side 340 can include one or more of the fabrics, textiles or materials listed in reference to cups 120 in FIG. 1A. In some embodiments, the side 340 includes a thick fabric. In some embodiments, the side 340 includes a fabric having a predetermined weight (e.g., having a weight per square meter of from about 100 gsm to about 200 gsm). In some embodiments, the side 340 includes a textured fabric (e.g., brushed, embossed, and/or quilted). In some embodiments, the side 340 includes a fabric with multiple layers. For example, the side 340 can include up to three layers of the same or different fabrics. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include different materials, including a soft material for contact with the wearer's skin as an interior portion (i.e., a wearer-facing portion) and a textured material as an exterior portion for the side 340. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include one or more stretchable fabric.
In some embodiments, the multiple layers include one or more light fabrics. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include one or more thick fabrics. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include one or more textured fabrics.

[1076] In some embodiments, the side 340 includes a stretchable fabric with a predetermined stretchability rating or a range thereof In some embodiments, a primary stretching direction of the side 340 is along the X2-X2' axis. In some embodiments, a primary stretching direction of the side 340 is along the Y2-Y2' axis. For off-axis stretching directions between the X2-X2' axis and the Y2-Y2' axis, the stretchability ratings can be determined from a linear combination of the stretchability ratings along the two axes X2-X2' and Y2-Y2'. Since the movements (e.g., bouncing up/down, moving front/back, and swiveling left/right) of the breasts are confined within the cups 320, the stretching of the side 340 that can arise from the breasts' movement can be higher near the Y2 direction as compared with the Y2' direction. Said another way, since the chest band 330 is in full contact with the chest/torso area of the wearer, the bottom portion of the cups 320 (near the chest band 330) may not be moving as much compared to the top portion where the breasts are not fully in contact with the cups 320. In some embodiments, larger movement of the breasts can lead to a larger stretching and thus can create a gradient along the Y2-Y2' axis with higher stretching (in the X2-X2') near the Y2 direction. For example, in some embodiments, the stretchability rating can be around 20% along the X2-X2' axis near the top of the side 340 (e.g., around Y2) and around 5% along the X2-X2' axis near the bottom of the side 340 (e.g., around Y2') adjacent to the chest band 330. In other words, in some embodiments, the stretchability rating and the range of stretchability rating can be larger near the top of the side 340 than around the bottom of the side 340.
[1077] In some embodiments, the side 340 can include a stretchable fabric along the X2-X2' and/or Y2-Y2' axes with at least 1% stretchability rating, at least 2%
stretchability rating, at least 3% stretchability rating, at least 4% stretchability rating, at least 5%
stretchability rating, at least 6% stretchability rating, at least 7%
stretchability rating, at least 8% stretchability rating, at least 9% stretchability rating, at least 10%
stretchability rating, at least 11% stretchability rating, at least 12% stretchability rating, at least 13%
stretchability rating, at least 14% stretchability rating, at least 15%
stretchability rating, at least 16% stretchability rating, at least 17% stretchability rating, at least 18% stretchability rating, at least 19% stretchability rating, at least 20% stretchability rating, at least 22%
stretchability rating, at least 24% stretchability rating, at least 26%
stretchability rating, at least 28% stretchability rating, at least 30% stretchability rating, at least 32% stretchability rating, at least 34% stretchability rating, at least 36% stretchability rating, at least 38%
stretchability rating, at least 40% stretchability rating, at least 42%
stretchability rating, at least 44% stretchability rating, at least 46% stretchability rating, at least 48% stretchability rating, at least 50% stretchability rating, at least 52% stretchability rating, at least 54%
stretchability rating, at least 56% stretchability rating, at least 58%
stretchability rating, or at least 60% stretchability rating, inclusive of all stretchability ratings therebetween. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the side 340 may not stretch.
[1078] FIG. 4 shows a back view of a biosensing bra 400 having a double racerback configuration, including a racerback-shaped region "back 460" and a racerback-shaped mesh reinforcement region "mesh 465," and shows stretchable support axes, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, the back 460 includes a single layer of material or fabric. In some embodiments, the back 460, i.e., the skin-facing layer or the inner layer, having a racerback shape, includes one or more of the materials and/or fabrics described herein. In some embodiments, the mesh 465 (also having a racerback shape) includes a mesh fabric. In some embodiments, the mesh 465 is an outer layer that is disposed beneath a body fabric at both sides and is connected to the side seams. In some embodiments, the two layers, back 460 and mesh 465, are connected only at or along the side seams, neckline and shoulders. This attachment configuration allows the two layers back 460 and mesh 465 to act 'independently' to provide dynamic support during movement (e.g., being stretched), and also to accommodate different body shapes and sizes. The overlapping of the two layers lends support and stability to the biosensing bra 400 at the sides. Because the two overlapping racerback layers have different shapes, they support the bust by pulling from two different directions, and act as a "support axis" or "support vector,"
thereby distributing the weight and movement of the breasts to a larger area of the biosensing bra 400 and supporting the breasts more dynamically. In other embodiments, the back 460 and mesh 465 are connected along the side seams, neckline, and/or shoulders, in combination with at least a portion of their respective fabric bodies.
[1079] To illustrate stretchability of the back 460, four-way stretchable support axes (or support vectors) are shown with arrows and are indicated as X3, X3', Y3, and Y3' directions in FIG.4. It is to be understood that any other stretching directions can be described as superimposed directions between any of the four designated directions of stretching. In some embodiments, only the back 460 is stretchable. In some embodiments, both layers, back 460 and mesh 465, are stretchable.
[1080] In some embodiments, the back 460 includes a stretchable fabric. In some embodiments, the back 460 includes a light fabric. In some embodiments, the back 460 includes a fabric comprising one or more of the materials and/or fabrics described herein.
In some embodiments, the back 460 includes a thick fabric. In some embodiments, the back 460 includes a textured fabric. In some embodiments, the back 460 includes a fabric with multiple layers. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include different materials, including a soft material for contact with a wearer's skin on an interior portion (i.e., a wearer-facing portion) and a textured material as an outer layer for the back 460. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include one or more stretchable fabrics. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include one or more light fabrics. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include one or more thick fabrics. In some embodiments, the multiple layers include one or more textured fabrics.
[1081] In some embodiments, the back 460 includes a stretchable fabric with a predetermined stretchability rating or range thereof In some embodiments, a primary stretching direction of the back 460 is along the Y3-Y3' axis. In some embodiments, a primary stretching direction of the back 460 is along the X3-X3' axis, although it might be significantly less than the stretching that takes place in the Y3-Y3' direction. For off-axis stretching directions between the X3-X3' axis and the Y3-Y3' axis, the stretchability ratings can be determined from a linear combination of the stretchability ratings along the two axes X3-X3' and Y3-Y3'.
[1082] In some embodiments, the back 460 can include a fabric that is stretchable predominantly along the Y3-Y3' axis with at least 1% stretchability rating, at least 2%
stretchability rating, at least 3% stretchability rating, at least 4%
stretchability rating, at least

5% stretchability rating, at least 6% stretchability rating, at least 7%
stretchability rating, at least 8% stretchability rating, at least 9% stretchability rating, at least 10% stretchability rating, at least 11% stretchability rating, at least 12% stretchability rating, at least 13%
stretchability rating, at least 14% stretchability rating, at least 15%
stretchability rating, at least 16% stretchability rating, at least 17% stretchability rating, at least 18% stretchability rating, at least 19% stretchability rating, at least 20% stretchability rating, at least 22%
stretchability rating, at least 24% stretchability rating, at least 26%
stretchability rating, at least 28% stretchability rating, at least 30% stretchability rating, at least 32% stretchability rating, at least 34% stretchability rating, at least 36% stretchability rating, at least 38%
stretchability rating, at least 40% stretchability rating, at least 42%
stretchability rating, at least 44% stretchability rating, at least 46% stretchability rating, at least 48% stretchability rating, at least 50% stretchability rating, at least 52% stretchability rating, at least 54%
stretchability rating, at least 56% stretchability rating, at least 58%
stretchability rating, or at least 60% stretchability rating, inclusive of all stretchability ratings therebetween.
[1083] Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5E, FIG. 5A shows a front view of a biosensing bra 500, according to an embodiment. The biosensing bra 500 shows straps 580, strap adjustments 585 and a strap "swan" hooks 590 to provide multiple levels of fit adjustment.
The hooks 590 and adjustment loops (along adjustment 585) on the strap 580 provide a wearer with the ability to adjust the lengths of each strap 580 so that the biosensing bra 500 can be worn comfortably and/or to make the sizing easier. To provide a large enough adjustment range, multiple swan loops are disposed on the straps 580, within the adjustment 585, to include a "ladder" of loops to which the hooks 590 can attach for changing the strap lengths. To ensure the wearer's comfort, the biosensing bra 500 incorporates the adjustment levels by ultrasonically welding the ladder of loops (adjustment 585) onto the straps 580.
In some embodiments, the biosensing bra 500 can be adjusted depending on the sporting activity, an over layer, shirt, blouse or camisole being worn, or the mood of the wearer.
[1084] In some embodiments, configuring the biosensing bra 500 such that the adjustment element/mechanism is disposed in the front of the biosensing bra 500 allows a wearer to readily adjust the straps while wearing the bra. In other words, the hook adjustment as described herein allows adjusting the tightness of the straps to either increase or decrease the level of support, and to better accommodate different breast sizes and body shapes. Also, when the adjustment element/mechanism is disposed in the front of the biosensing bra 500, the wearer is able to lie on her back without the hooks pressing against her body. Such a design is preferable to traditional bras or sports bras that have metal hooks or sliders disposed on the straps in the back of the garment, which can cause pain to a wearer, e.g., when lying on her back. In some instances, a higher level of support may be desired in some applications, e.g., in high intensity or high impact sports such as running. The bonded strap construction as described herein allows for the use/combination of different materials, such that a strap 580 with a limited level of elasticity (i.e., stiff) can be achieved.
Low elasticity in the straps of the biosensing bra can be desirable, for example, so that the strap 580 is configured to more securely and reliably support the weight of the breast, and at the same time the impact of breast movements can be transferred to other areas of the biosensing bra 500.
[1085] In some embodiments, the strap 580 is about 3 cm, about 2 cm, about 2.5 cm, about 3.5 cm, about 4 cm, about 4.5 cm, or about 5 cm wide at the location on the strap that is configured to be disposed on the shoulder of a wearer during use, to allow a higher level of support, comfort, and stability than with a narrower strap. A wider strap 580 distributes the weight of the breast such that the strap is supporting to a wider area than with a narrower strap, thereby decreasing the pressure exerted per unit area, as well as the wearer's perceived pressure on the shoulder. In some embodiments, the strap 580 is a split strap.
In some embodiments, the strap 580 includes a plurality of straps. In some embodiments, an individual strap in the split strap configuration or in the plurality of straps configuration is about 0.1 cm, about 0.2 cm, about 0.3 cm, about 0.4 cm, about 0.5 cm, about 0.6 cm, about 0.7 cm, about 0.8 cm, about 0.9 cm, about 1 cm, about 1.5 cm, about 2 cm, about 2.5 cm, about 3 cm, about 3.5 cm, about 4 cm, about 4.5 cm, or about 5 cm, inclusive of all dimensions therebetween. In some embodiments, the strap 480 can have a length of about cm, about 11 cm, about 12 cm, about 13 cm, about 14 cm, about 15 cm, about 16 cm, about 17 cm, about 18 cm, about 19 cm, about 20 cm, about 21 cm, about 22 cm, about 23 cm, about 24 cm, about 25 cm, about 26 cm, about 27 cm, about 28 cm, about 29 cm, or about 30 cm, inclusive of all lengths therebetween.
[1086] In some embodiments, the strap 580 can be constructed using multiple layers of materials, including a soft outer layer for soft skin contact, a breathable fabric and an inner stabilizer layer. FIG. 5B shows an exemplary strap 580 in which a soft outer layer 580A, a non-stretchable stabilizer layer 580B, and a breathable mesh layer 580C can be bonded together to form a triple-layer strap that is non-stretchable, comfortable and breathable. In some embodiments, the strap 580 can include one or more soft outer layers 580A, one or more non-stretchable stabilizer layers 580B, and/or one or more breathable mesh layer s580C, which are bonded together to form a strap with multiple layers of fabric, for example a 3-layer strap, a 4-layer strap, a 5-layer strap, a 6-layer strap, etc.
[1087] FIG. 5C shows a cross-section of a strap adjustment 585 prior to attachment to the strap 580, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, the strap adjustment 585 of the biosensing bra 500 can be constructed by bonding a plurality of layers together with a heat adhesive thermoplastic (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane, TPU) film.
For example, in some embodiments, the strap adjustment 585 is constructed of a layered structure of a fabric 585A and a thermoplastic adhesive film 585B as a bonding agent, such that the fabric 585A with the film 585B is folded underneath itself to form the strap adjustment 585, as shown in FIG. 5C.
[1088] FIG. 5D shows a cross-section of the strap adjustment 585 after attachment to the strap 580, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, the strap adjustment 585 is attached onto the strap 580, e.g., using a further thermoplastic adhesive film, stitching, and/or welding, including ultrasonic welding, leaving portions of the strap adjustment un-bonded, so as to create a plurality of openings 584 (also referred to herein as "loops" or "pockets") for a hook to pass through, as shown in the cross-section of FIG.
5D. Exemplary bonded regions 588 through stitching and ultrasonic welding are also shown on the strap 580 in FIG. 5D. In some embodiments, each opening 584 is approximately 10 mm wide, and each bonded region 588, for example having a length of about 5-10 mm, is disposed between the openings 584. In some embodiments, the opening 584 has a width (also referred to as a "loop width" or "pocket width") of about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 10 mm, about mm, about 12 mm, about 13 mm, about 14 mm, about 15 mm, about 16 mm, about 17 mm, about 18 mm, about 19 mm, or about 20 mm, inclusive of all widths therebetween. In some embodiments, the opening 584 has a height (also referred to as a "loop height") of about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 10 mm, about 11 mm, about 12 mm, about 13 mm, about 14 mm, or about 15 mm, inclusive of all heights therebetween. In some embodiments, the bonded region 588 has a length of about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 10 mm, about 11 mm, about 12 mm, about 13 mm, about 14 mm, about 15 mm, about 16 mm, about 17 mm, about 18 mm, about 19 mm, or about 20 mm, inclusive of all lengths therebetween. The length of the bonded regions 588 can vary according to the particular implementation. In some embodiments, the bonded regions 588 have the same length across the strap adjustment 585/strap 580. The strap adjustment can include a plurality of openings 584, corresponding to the number of desired adjustment levels. In some embodiments, the strap adjustment includes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 openings, loops, or adjustment levels to increase the range of adjustability in the strap 580.
[1089] FIG. 5E shows a perspective view of an assembled strap adjustment 585/strap580, according to an embodiment. FIG. 5F shows a plan view of the assembled strap adjustment585/strap 580 and hook 590, according to an embodiment. The swan hook 590 can be fastened in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 5F for a proper fit of the biosensing bra 500.

Claims

1. A biosensing garment, comprising:
a first stretchable cup configured to receive a first breast of a wearer during use;
a second stretchable cup configured to receive a second breast of the wearer during use;
a rigid portion disposed between the first stretchable cup and the second stretchable cup and configured to couple the first stretchable cup to the second stretchable cup;
a chest band configured to be disposed about the chest of the wearer; and a mesh portion disposed between: (1) the first and second stretchable cups, and (2) the chest band and configured to couple the first and second stretchable cups to the chest band, the biosensing garment configured to limit three-dimensional movement of the first and second breasts of the wearer during use.

2. The biosensing garment of claim 1, further comprising:
a first strap coupled to and extending from the first stretchable cup, and a second strap coupled to and extending from the second stretchable cup, each of the first strap and the second strap including a strap adjustment configured for adjustment of a length thereof

3. The biosensing garment of claim 2, wherein each strap adjustment includes a plurality of loops, each of the plurality of loops configured to receive a corresponding swan hook therein.

4. The biosensing garment of claim 2, wherein each strap adjustment is secured to the first and second straps via ultrasonic welds.

5. The biosensing garment of claim 1, wherein each of the first strap and the second strap is substantially rigid.

6. The biosensing garment of claim 1, wherein each of the first strap and the second strap includes an inner stabilizer layer and an outer layer surrounding the inner stabilizer layer.

7. The biosensing garment of claim 6, wherein each of the first strap and the second strap further includes a breathable mesh layer.

8. The biosensing garment of claim 1, wherein the chest band includes a first side portion and a second side portion, each of the first and second side portions including a four-way stretchable fabric.

9. The biosensing garment of claim 8, wherein the first and second side portions include a substantially rigid fabric.

10. The biosensing garment of claim 1, wherein the chest band includes a first side portion and a second side portion, each of the first and second side portions including a two-way stretchable fabric.

11. The biosensing garment of claim 9, wherein the first and second side portions include a substantially rigid fabric.

12. The biosensing garment of claim 1, further comprising:
a sensor assembly configured to perform transduction of signals received from skin of the wearer.

13. The biosensing garment of claim 1, wherein the biosensing garment is a sports bra.

14. The biosensing garment of claim 1, wherein each of the first stretchable cup and the second stretchable cup is stretchable along an axis with a stretchability rating of at least 25%.

15. The biosensing garment of claim 1, wherein the rigid portion has a substantially uniform width of less than about 40 mm.

16. The biosensing garment of claim 1, wherein the mesh portion comprises at least about 20% mesh material.

17. The biosensing garment of claim 1, further comprising a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein each of the first and second side portions is stretchable along an axis with a stretchability rating of at least 30%.

18. A biosensing garment, comprising:
first and second stretchable cups configured to receive first and second breasts, respectively, of a wearer during use;
a mesh portion disposed between: (1) the first and second stretchable cups;
and (2) a chest band, and configured to couple the first and second stretchable cups to the chest band;
a first racerback layer coupled to the chest band and configured to contact a back of the wearer during use; and a second, mesh, racerback layer overlying the first racerback layer and coupled to the chest band, the biosensing garment configured to limit three-dimensional movement of the breasts during use.

19. The biosensing garment of claim 18, further comprising:
a sensor assembly configured to perform transduction of signals received from the skin of the wearer.

20. The biosensing garment of claim 18, wherein the biosensing garment is a sports bra.

21. The biosensing garment of claim 18, wherein the first and second stretchable cups include a four-way stretchable fabric.

22. The biosensing garment of claim 18, further comprising:
an underwire disposed adjacent to an underside of each of the first and second stretchable cups.

23. The biosensing garment of claim 18, wherein the first racerback layer is stretchable along an axis with a stretchability rating of at least 40%.

24. The biosensing garment of claim 18, further comprising:
a first strap coupled to and extending from the first stretchable cup, and a second strap coupled to and extending from the second stretchable cup, each of the first and second straps having a width of about 2.5 cm at a location configured to contact a shoulder of the wearer.

25. The biosensing garment of claim 18, further comprising:
a first strap coupled to and extending from the first stretchable cup, and a second strap coupled to and extending from the second stretchable cup, each of the first and second straps including a plurality of straps.

26. The biosensing garment of claim 25, wherein each strap of each plurality of straps has a length of about 20cm.

27. The biosensing garment of claim 18, further comprising:
a first strap coupled to and extending from the first stretchable cup, and a second strap coupled to and extending from the second stretchable cup, each of the first and second straps including a respective strap adjustment configured for adjustment of a length thereof

28. The biosensing garment of claim 27, wherein each strap adjustment includes a plurality of loops, each of the plurality of loops configured to receive a corresponding swan hook therein.

29. The biosensing garment of claim 28, wherein each loop of the plurality of loops has a width of about 6 mm.