WO2017129864A1

WO2017129864A1 - Wearable garment for determinig physiological signal

Info

Publication number: WO2017129864A1
Application number: PCT/FI2017/050047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mikko Malmivaara; Akseli Reho; Atte JOUTSEN; Heikki Jaakkola; Jussi RÄIKKÄLÄ
Original assignee: Clothing Plus Mbu Oy
Priority date: 2016-01-28
Filing date: 2017-01-27
Publication date: 2017-08-03

Abstract

A wearable garment (100) comprises a first portion (101) and a second portion (108), where the first portion falls on a user's shoulder area during use, and the second portion locates essentially lower than the first portion (101) during use. The garment comprises also a sensor (102) integrated into the first portion (101) so that during use an interface portion (103) of the sensor points towards the user's shoulder and provides interaction between the interface portion (103) and the user's shoulder for determining said at least one physiological signal. An additional mass (107) may be integrated to the second portion (108) so that during use the second portion with the additional mass introduces force to the first portion so to point towards the user's shoulder and thereby applying additional pressure between the sensor and the user's shoulder and enhancing the electric contact of the sensor with the user's shoulder.

Description

WEARABLE GARMENT FOR DETERMINING PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNAL

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a wearable garment for determining at least one physiological signal, and more particularly for determining a heart rate, for example.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garments, such as a sports bra or wearable chest belt, having heart rate measuring sensors are well known. Typically the prior art heart rate measuring sensors have electrical contact areas arranged to be in contact with the user's skin during use. In order to enable reliable electrical contact between the skin and the sensor, the sensor must be worn tightly e.g. around the chest area, which is the case, for example, with the heart rate belt. In addition, the surface of the sensor must be typically moistened in order to enable reliable electrical contact.

There are some disadvantages with the known prior art. For example, firmly tightened garments usually feel uncomfortable, and having to moisten the sensors is cumbersome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wearable garment for determining physiological signals is disclosed that alleviates and eliminates the problems associated with the known prior art. An embodiment of the invention provides a wearable garment for determining at least one physiological signal so that there is no need to moisten the sensors of the garment, or provide a firmly tightened garment in order to ensure good contact between the sensor and the skin.

An embodiment of the invention can be achieved by the features of independent claims. The invention relates to a wearable garment according to claim 1. In addition the invention relates to a manufacturing method of a wearable garment according to claim 14.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a wearable garment comprises a first portion, especially an upper portion, which falls on or touches a user's shoulder area during use. According to an example definition the shoulder area is the area, where the mass of the garment essentially rests or lies during use. The garment may be but is not limited to, for example, a shirt, sleeveless shirt, undershirt or bra comprising advantageously a shoulder strap, shoulder part or epaulet, suspender, or another portion of the garment, for example, that faces against the shoulder of the user. Additionally the garment comprises also at least one sensor for determining at least one physiological signal. The at least one physiological signal may be but is not limited to, for example, heart rate or bioimpedance signals of the user during wearing of the garment. The sensor comprises advantageously an interface portion for measuring at least one physiological signal. In an embodiment the sensor or interface portion is electrically conductive and provides a galvanic contact. In another embodiment, the sensor or interface portion has a capacitive surface. In another embodiment, the sensor or interface portion is an optical sensor having a non-electric interface. In the optical sensor embodiment, the coupling between the optical sensor and the skin is as a functional contact so that e.g. possible optical emission and/or optical gathering of an optically measurable signal from the skin is possible. According to an example the sensor is a skin contact sensor, so the sensor which needs the skin contact in order to gain reliable measurement. The sensor is advantageously arranged to the first portion, so to the shoulder area, whereupon, whereupon there is no need for tightening systems for tightening the sensor against the skin in order to provide reliable contact. This is achieved by arranging the first portion on the shoulder area so to fall on and thereby touch the user's shoulder area, where the mass of the garment essentially rests or lies during use. According to an embodiment there is even no need for any other sensors in the garment.

The sensor is advantageously integrated, such as sewn, laminated, welded, ultrasound welded, glued or riveted, into the first portion of the garment, such as for example into the shoulder strap or epaulet, so that during use, the interface portion of the sensor is configured to point or face towards the user's shoulder and thereby provide interaction between the interface portion and the user's shoulder for determining the at least one physiological signal. The above integration techniques are illustrative non- limiting embodiments, and other techniques may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

In an illustrative example, the garment may be a sleeveless shirt, where the sensors are arranged into a shoulders area. In a normal and typical use, for example during standing or sitting, the weight of the sleeveless shirt or another shirt like garment will rest on the shoulders. In particular, the relatively thin straps of the sleeveless shirt sit very well on the shoulders during use and thereby cause pressure on the skin. This relationship between the thin straps and shoulders provides a nearly ideal environment for obtaining the relevant measurements. Therefore a proper contact or other interaction (e.g. in the case of optical sensors) between the interface portion of the sensor and the shoulder area of the user is formed naturally without any additional needs of tightening, whereupon the garment and the feel are natural-like during usage.

In addition, when the sensor or the interface portion of the sensor comprises or is made of steel, gold, silver or other conductive metal, it will work without any separate moistening. Namely, the metal portion of the sensor will condensate sufficient moisture between the sensor interface and the skin due to e.g. normal sweating. The metals listed are non-limiting illustrative examples and other conductive or semi-conductive metals may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

Advantageously the sensors or interface portion is flexible and arranged to follow very well the forms of the shoulders so that the electrical contact between the electric sensor and the skin is sufficient to make the relevant measurements. For example, the interface portion may be upraised so to protrude from the interface portion and towards the shoulder area especially during use so that the skin contact would be good and reliable.

In an embodiment, a sensor comprises at least one protrusion, such as a steel rivet or a plurality of rivets, pins or buttons, for example. In an embodiment, the protrusions have diameter less than 10 mm, more advantageously less than 5 mm, and even more advantageously less than 3 mm, or most advantageously less than 1 mm, whereupon the contact pressure can be achieved very good. The diameters are illustrative non- limiting examples and other diameters may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. A protrusion like sensor provides good electrical contact with the user skin when the garment is worn by the user. The sensor may also comprise a plurality of protrusions which are electrically coupled with each other and thereby form a larger electrically conductive interface area.

According to an embodiment, the sensor comprises an electrically conductive sheet electrode. In an embodiment, the shape of the electrically conductive sheet electrode may be advantageously a convex shape. Alternatively, or in addition to, may be made of deformable material to conform to an anatomical shape of the shoulder of the user during use. The deformable material may be comprised of conductive and stretchable or flexible fibres, fabric or textile, for example.

The sensors or sensor portions are also electrically connected each other advantageously by flexible or stretchable electrically conductive medium which may comprise for example conductive fibres, fabric or textile. The sensors or sensor portions may also be arranged to a flexible or stretchable substrate, so to flexible or stretchable base material carrying the sensors or sensor portions and having flexible or stretchable electrically connecting medium therein between said sensors or sensor portions.

The present invention offers advantages over the known prior art, such as an easy, invisible and automatic way to determine for example heart rate or any other physiological signal without any contribution, preparation or arrangement needed from the user. Advantageously, the measurement can be started when the garment is worn. In addition, the garment according to the invention is comfortable to use because the sensors make natural measuring contact with the user's shoulder area without any additional compression, tightening or other requirements from the user. Moreover, a very reliable and effective measurement configuration can be achieved when the sensors are located at the shoulder area. For example, in an embodiment, a first sensor may be located at a first shoulder and a second sensor may be located at a second shoulder, whereupon heart rate signals, for example, may be effectively measured. In addition, the current invention removes the need for using separate heart rate straps or chest belts, as well as wrist measuring devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary wearable garment for determining at least one physiological signal according to an embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 2 illustrates another example of a wearable garment for determining at least one physiological signal according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of embodiments of a wearable garment for determining physiological signals have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, many other elements found in typical garments. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that other elements and/or steps are desirable and/or required in implementing the present invention. However, because such elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements and steps is not provided herein.

The non-limiting embodiments described herein are with respect to a wearable garment for determining physiological signals. The wearable garment for determining physiological signals may be modified for a variety of applications and uses while remaining within the spirit and scope of the claims. The embodiments and variations described herein, and/or shown in the drawings, are presented by way of example only and are not limiting as to the scope and spirit. The descriptions herein may be applicable to all embodiments of the wearable garment for determining physiological signals.

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar reference numerals refer to similar elements across the several views, a wearable garment for determining physiological signals is described.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary wearable garment 100 for determining physiological signal according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The wearable garment 100 comprises a first portion 101 which may be but is not limited to, for example, a shoulder strap, epaulet, shoulder part or suspender or the like, which falls on or touches a user's shoulder area during use. The exemplary garment 100 comprises two sensors (or electrodes) 102, one for each shoulder, for measuring heart rate or other physiological signals of the user wearing the garment 100. Although the shoulder is used herein to describe the placement and position of the sensor 102 on the garment 100, any area surrounding the shoulder may be used and this may be termed the shoulder area. The sensors 102 are integrated into the first portion 101 so that during use an interface portion 103 of sensors 102 points toward the user's shoulder and provides interaction between the interface portion 103 and the user's shoulder so that the measuring or determining of the physiological signal is possible.

In an embodiment, the garment 100 may also comprise an additional mass 107 integrated to a second portion 108, which is located lower than the first portion 101 during use. The second portion 108 may also comprise any massive component, such as a power source 1 1 1 , for example. The power source 1 1 1 , for example, may be a battery. The second portion 108 with the additional mass 107 is physically coupled with the first portion 101 so that during use the second portion 108 with the additional mass 107 introduces a force to the first portion 101 due to gravity. The direction of the force is advantageously pointing downwards and thus towards the user's shoulder thereby applying pressure between the sensor 102 and the user's shoulder. This enhances the contact, especially electric contact of the sensor with the user's shoulder and makes measurements more reliable.

In an embodiment, the sensor 102 may comprise plurality of sensor portions 104, as can be seen in Figure 2. In an embodiment, sensor portions104 may be arranged to protrude from the first portion 101 towards the user's shoulder so as to raise or rise above the surface of the fabric of the first portion 101. This enhances the electrical contact with the user skin when the garment 100 is worn by the user. In an embodiment, the sensor portions 104 may be electrically coupled with each other by a flexible or stretchable electrically conductive medium 106, which may comprise conductive fibres, fabric or textile, for example. The sensor portions 104 may also be arranged to a flexible or stretchable substrate, so to flexible or stretchable base material carrying said sensors or sensor portions and electrical coupling between said sensors or sensor portions electrically connecting them each other.

In an embodiment, the electrically conductive medium 106 between the plurality of sensor portions 104 may be implemented by arranging electrically conductive medium in a pleated form, which has a first length in a relaxed state (where no stretchable outer force is applied) and a second length in an extension state (where stretchable outer force is applied), wherein the second length is greater than said first length. This makes the sensor area and thus the whole garment 100 much more comfortable.

In an embodiment, the garment 100 comprises at least two sensors 102 arranged to measure physiological signal, in particular a heart rate. The garment may also comprise measuring electronics 109 and conductors 1 10 for electrically coupling the sensors 102 to the measuring electronics 109. In an embodiment, the measuring electronics 109 may comprise, for example, a signal receiving means and a signal transmitting means 1 14. In an embodiment, wireless communication technology 113 may be used to communicate the measured signals either in original form or in at least a partially processed form to an external data processing device 1 12. The external data processing device 1 12 may be, but is not limited to, for example, a watch, computer, handheld computer or smartphone or the like. In an embodiment, the measuring electronics 109 and conductors 110 are integrated. In an embodiment, they are permanently integrated into the garment. The integration may be implemented e.g. by gluing, sewing or laminating or by any other integration technique known by the skilled person.

The at least one sensor 102 may also comprise an electrically conductive sheet electrode 105 conformable to an anatomical shape of the user's shoulder area during use of the wearable garment 100. The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims, and that the features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Claims

1. A wearable garment (100), wherein the garment comprises a first portion (101 ), said first portion being configured to be fall on a user's shoulder area during use,

wherein

- the garment comprises also at least one sensor (102) for determining at least one physiological signal of the user wearing said garment, and

- said sensor (102) is integrated into said first portion (101 ) so that during use an interface portion (103) of said sensor is configured to point towards the user's shoulder and provide interaction between the interface portion (103) and the user's shoulder for determining said at least one physiological signal.

2. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the sensor (102) comprises at least one protrusion (104), such as a rivet, pin or button, which is configured to make electrical contact with the user skin, when the garment is worn by the user.

3. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the sensor (102) comprises an electrically conductive sheet electrode (105), which comprises a convex shape and/or is made of deformable material so to take an anatomical shape of the shoulder of the user during use.

4. The garment of any of previous claims, wherein the first portion (101 ) comprises sensor (102) consisting of plurality of sensor portions, where said sensor portions are electrically coupled with each other by flexible and/or stretchable electrically conductive medium (106).

5. The garment of claim 4, wherein said electric coupling (106) between the plurality of sensor portions is implemented by arranging electrically conductive medium in a pleated form, which has a first length in a relaxed state and a second length in an extension state, wherein said second length is greater than said first length.

6. The garment of any of previous claims, wherein the sensor or sensor portions are arranged to a flexible and/or stretchable substrate or base material carrying said sensors or sensor portions and carrying also an a flexible and/or stretchable electrically conductive medium coupled with said sensor or between said sensor portions.

7. The garment of any of previous claims, wherein said sensor (102) or at least portion (104) of it is arranged to protrude from the first portion towards the user's shoulder and thereby configured to make electrical contact with the user skin, when the garment is worn by the user.

8. The garment of any of previous claims, wherein the first portion (101 ) comprises a shoulder strap, shoulder part suspender, or a portion of the garment to be faced against the shoulder of the user, where said sensor (102) is integrated, such as sewed, laminated, welded, ultrasound welded, glued or riveted.

9. The garment of any of previous claims, wherein the garment comprises a shirt, sleeveless shirt (100), undershirt or bra comprising said first portion (102) in a shoulder strap, shoulder part suspender, or a portion of the garment to be faced against the shoulder of the user.

10. The garment of any of previous claims, wherein the garment comprises an additional mass (107) integrated to a second portion (108), which is configured to locate essentially lower than said first portion (101 ) during use, and wherein said second portion (108) with the additional mass (107) is coupled with said first portion so that during use the second portion with the additional mass introduces force to said first portion, where the direction of said force is pointing towards the user's shoulder thereby applying pressure between the sensor and the user's shoulder and enhancing the electric contact of the sensor with the user's shoulder.

1 1. The garment of any of previous claims, wherein said sensor (102) comprises a galvanic or capacitive coupling comprising steel, gold or silver, conductive fabric or conductive polymer, or wherein said sensor (102) is an optical sensor.

12. The garment of any of previous claims, wherein said garment comprises at least two sensors (102) arranged to measure physiological signal, in particularly heart rate, wherein the garment comprises measuring electronics and conductors, said conductors arranged to electrically couple said sensors to said measuring electronics.

13. The garment of any of previous claims, wherein all the sensors of said garment are integrated into said first portion and wherein the contact with the skin of the sensors is achieved without any tightening device.

14. A method for manufacturing a garment according to any of previous claims, wherein the garment comprises a first portion, said first portion being configured to be fall on a shoulder area during use, and wherein the method comprises:

- arranging at least one sensor to the garment for determining at least one physiological signal of a user wearing said garment, where said sensor comprises an electrically conductive surface, and

- integrating said sensor into said first portion so that during use the an interface portion (103) of said sensor is configured to point towards the user's shoulder and make electric contact with the user's shoulder for determining said at least one physiological signal.