WO2018142413A1

WO2018142413A1 - Adjustable embedded electrodes of a garment

Info

Publication number: WO2018142413A1
Application number: PCT/IL2018/050128
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoram Romem; Itzik KATZ
Original assignee: Healthwatch Ltd.
Priority date: 2017-02-06
Filing date: 2018-02-06
Publication date: 2018-08-09

Abstract

A smart textile garment for monitoring physiological parameters of a living being, having a predesigned size designed to fit a selected average body dimensions. The garment includes a base fabric having a skin side and an external side, wherein the external side faces away from the user's. The garment further includes at least one embedded or steadily attached main sensing electrode having a skin side and an external side, wherein the skin side faces the user's skin and the external side faces away from the user's skin, and wherein the main sensing electrode includes an effective area configured to sense at least some the physiological parameter. The garment further includes means for shifting the effective area of the main sensing electrode with respect to the skin of the monitored living being, and at least one lead-wire having a first end and a second end.

Description

ADJUSTABLE EMBEDDED ELECTRODES OF A GARMENT

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to adjustable embedded electrodes of a garment and more particularly, the present invention relates to means and methods for adjusting the bodily positioning of such electrodes, wherein the adjustment is typically performed by professional fitting center to cope with the wide dimensional range of human body diversification.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Technologies for bodily vital signs sensing and monitoring, using clothing or other wearable methods, are known in prior art. However, often when obtaining, for example, good ECG signals, electrodes that are located by the clothing adjacent to the monitored person at particular bodily locations, are used. Furthermore, the geometric positions of some electrodes, with respect to the heart of the monitored person, are critical, wherein these electrodes are referred to herein as "critical electrodes".

When a garment, having embedded or steadily attached textile electrodes, is worn, some electrodes might not be at the best location, relative to the wearer's body, because of the wide dimensional range of human body diversification. In cases where the garment is used for vital signs measurements, this may cause unreliable measurements or measurements with poor quality. Unlike the commonly used electrodes that are not embedded or steadily attached in the garment but secured (attached, glued, etc.) to the skin of the person, garment embedded electrodes cannot change their position on the garment. One solution is to increase the number of different garment designs with diversified electrodes locations or to produce customized garments per user, which may be impractical.

The term "embedded", as used herein in conjunction with wearable clothing items, refers to an item being an integral part of the garment, for example, being knitted as part of the knitting of the garment, and therefore, non-separable from the garment. The term "steadily attached", as used herein, refers to being integrated to the garment by a process in a fixed location. There is, therefore, a need for a way to adjust the electrode positions per user, without the need to change to another garment, i.e. to use the same garment for various shapes of bodies and still get quality measurements.

Furthermore, there is a need for a stable positioning of electrodes at respective pre- configured bodily location, which positioning is of extreme importance to obtain good ECG signals, facilitating clinical level ECG, while the monitored person is either resting or moving, jumping or walking or any other type of motion.

It should be noted that the term "ECG signals", as used herein, refers to any physiological signal of the monitored living being that can be sensed directly or indirectly by an electrode or another type of sensor, embedded or not, including signals for ECG analysis.

The term "garment", as used herein with conjunction with wearable clothing items, refers to wearable clothing items that preferably, can be tightly worn adjacently to the body of a monitored living being, typically adjacent to the skin, including undershirts, sport shirts, brassieres, underpants, special hospital shirts, socks, gloves, hats and the like. Typically, the term "garment" refers to a clothing item that is worn adjacently to the external surface of the user's body, under external clothing or as the only clothing, in such a way that the fact that there are sensors embedded therein, is preferably not seen by any other person in regular daily behavior. An underwear item may also include a clothing item that is not underwear per se, but still is in direct and preferably tight contact with the skin, such as a T-shirt, sleeveless or sleeved shirts, sport-bras, tights, dancing-wears, socks, gloves, hats and pants. The sensors, in such a case, can be embedded in such a way that are still unseen by external people to comply with the "seamless" requirement.

The phrase "clinical level ECG", as used herein in conjunction with ECG measurements, refers to the professionally acceptable number of leads, sensitivity and specificity needed for a definite conclusion by most cardiology physicians to suspect a risky cardiac problem (for example, arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, heart failure) that require immediate further investigation or intervention.

Fig., 1 depicts an exemplary prior art smart garment 100 designed to continuously measure at least a 12-leads ECG, to thereby facilitate clinical level ECG. Smart garment 100 includes a base knitted tubular form 105, having embedded knitted electrodes 110, electrically connected with conductive lead-wires 120 to a processing unit 150. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

Attention is now directed to the drawings, where like reference numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like components. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 (prior art) depicts an exemplary smart garment design to continuously measure at least a 12-leads ECG, to thereby facilitate clinical level ECG.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an example multi-selectable-electrodes configuration, in which configuration a lead-wire, configured to be operatively connected to a first electrode or to a second electrode or to both, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a lead-wire, configured to be operatively connected to a first electrode or to a second electrode or to both, as in Fig. 2, wherein one or more conductive adjusting zones are knitted in proximity to the electrodes.

Fig. 4a schematically illustrates an example of an expandable-electrodes configuration, in which configuration at least one conductive adjusting zone is knitted in proximity to a textile electrode, configured to be operatively combined with the textile electrode by a conductive adjustment patch, for example by a professional fitting center, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 4b schematically illustrates an example conductive adjustment patch. Fig. 5a schematically illustrates a first example usage of combining a conductive adjusting zone with a respective electrode, in which a first side of a textile electrode is effectively expanded upwardly.

Fig. 5b schematically illustrates another example usage of combining a conductive adjusting zone with a respective electrode, in which a second horizontal side of a textile electrode is effectively expanded downwardly. Fig. 5c schematically illustrates another example usage of combining a conductive adjusting zone with a respective electrode, in which a first vertical side of a textile electrode is effectively expanded sideways.

Fig. 5d schematically illustrates another example usage of combining a conductive adjusting zone with a respective electrode, in which a second vertical side of a textile electrode is effectively expanded sideways.

Fig. 5e schematically illustrates another example usage of combining two conductive adjusting zones with a respective electrode, in which two respective sides of a textile electrode are effectively expanded. Fig. 6a (prior art) schematically illustrates an example of an embedded or steadily attached textile electrode having preconfigured dimensions, including a default predesigned effective area surrounded by a preconfigured frame of margins.

Fig. 6b (prior art) depicts an example detachable non-conductive masking tape, used herein to reshape an embedded or a steadily attached textile electrode. Fig. 6c (prior art) schematically illustrates a segment of the non-conductive masking tape shown in Fig. 6b.

Fig. 7a schematically illustrates an example of a default configuration of the non- conductive masking tape, wherein the segments of the detachable non-conductive masking tape cover the excess margins to thereby leave only the effective area of a textile electrode. Fig. 7b schematically illustrates another example of configuring the segments of detachable non-conductive masking tape, to thereby shift the effective area of the respective textile electrode sideways, for example to the left.

Fig. 7c schematically illustrates another example of configuring the segments of a detachable non-conductive masking tape, to thereby shift the effective area of the respective textile electrode sideways, for example to the right.

Fig. 7d schematically illustrates another example usage of a number of segments of non- conductive masking tape, to shift the effective area of a textile electrode upwards and sideways, for example to the right.

Fig. 8a schematically illustrates an exemplary non-conductive adjusting zone, having two elongated regions, wherein a first region has a flexibility that is substantially higher than the second elongated region. Fig. 8b schematically illustrates the exemplary non-conductive adjusting zone shown in Fig. 8a, after the garment has been stretched in a direction across the elongated regions.

Fig. 9a schematically illustrates another exemplary non-conductive adjusting zone, having two elongated regions, wherein a first has a flexibility that is substantially higher than the second elongated region.

Fig. 9b schematically illustrates the exemplary non-conductive adjusting zone shown in Fig. 9a, after the garment has been stretched in a direction across the elongated regions.

Figs. 10a and 10b depict exemplary smart garments as in Fig. 1, illustrating usage of non- conductive adjusting zones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to teachings of the present invention there is provided a smart textile garment for monitoring physiological parameters of a living being, having a predesigned size designed to fit a selected average body dimensions. The garment includes a base fabric having a skin side and an external side, wherein the external side faces away from the user's skin. The garment further includes at least one embedded or steadily attached main sensing electrode having a skin side and an external side, wherein the skin side faces the user's skin and the external side faces away from the user's skin, and wherein the main sensing electrode includes an effective area configured to sense at least some of the physiological parameter. The garment further includes means for shifting the effective area of the main sensing electrode with respect to the skin of the monitored living being, and at least one lead-wire having a first end and a second end.

The means for shifting the effective area of a main sensing electrode are adapted to position the effective area of the main sensing electrode to fit to the body dimensions of the monitored living being.

The first end of each of the at least one lead-wire is securely and conductively attached to a respective main sensing electrode, and wherein the second end of the at least one elastic conductor is operatively connected to a processor, facilitating the sensed physiological parameter to be communicated from the at least one main sensing electrode to the processor. In some embodiments, the means for shifting the effective area of the main sensing electrode (110a) include at least one alternative sensing electrode (110b) embedded or steadily attached proximal to the main sensing electrode (110a), and conductive attachment/detachment means for attaching the main sensing electrode (110a) to the at least one lead-wire, or detaching aid main sensing electrode (110a) from the at least one lead-wire. The alternative sensing electrode (110b) is conductively connected to the at least one lead-wire that is conductively connected to the main sensing electrode. The main sensing electrode (110a) and the alternative sensing electrode (110b) are connected to the at least one lead-wire via the attachment/detachment means. Preferably, the main sensing electrode (110a) and/or the alternative sensing electrode (110b) are selectively connected to or disconnected from the at least one lead-wire.

In some embodiments, the means for shifting the effective area of the main sensing electrode include at least one conductive adjusting zone that is knitted in proximity to the main sensing electrode, forming a gap there between. The means for shifting the effective area of the main sensing electrode further include at least one conductive adjustment patch configured to conductively combine the at least one conductive adjusting zone with the main sensing electrode, to thereby shift the effective area towards the at least one conductive adjusting zone.

In some embodiments, the means for shifting the effective area of the main sensing electrode include a preconfigured frame of margins surrounding the effective area of the main sensing electrode that includes a default predesigned surrounded by the frame of the margins. The frame of margins is embedded or steadily attached together with the main sensing electrode, forming a continuous conductive area. The main sensing electrode further include at least one attachable/detachable, flexible, insulating tape, wherein the non-conductive insulating tape is placed over portions of the skin side of the main sensing electrode to thereby shift the effective area, being the uncovered area of the main sensing electrode, to a desired location with respect to the garment and the skin of the monitored living being.

In some embodiments, the means for shifting the effective area of the main sensing electrode include a non-conductive adjusting zone (160, 170) having two elongated regions: a more flexible elongated region and a more rigid elongated region. The non- conductive adjusting zone is embedded or steadily attached proximal to the main sensing electrode. The non-conductive adjusting zone is configured to limit undesired stretching motion of the main sensing electrode with respect to the skin of the monitored living being, when the living being wears the smart textile garment. The more rigid elongated region faces the main sensing electrode and the more flexible elongated region faces away from the main sensing electrode. When a region the base fabric of the garment, which region contains the main sensing electrode, stretches such that the main sensing electrode tend to move towards the non-conductive adjusting zone, the majority of the stretching force is absorbed by the more flexible elongated region, to thereby limit the stretching motion of the main sensing electrode with respect to the skin of the monitored living being.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided, so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

An embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions. The various appearances of "one embodiment," "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

Reference in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "some embodiments" or "other embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions. It is understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only.

Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks. The term "method" refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs. The descriptions, examples, methods and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting but rather as illustrative only.

Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. The present invention can be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

It should be noted that orientation related descriptions such as "bottom", "up", "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "top" and the like, assumes that the is worn by a person being in a standing position.

Referring back to the drawings, Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an example of a multi-selectable-electrodes configuration, in which configuration a lead-wire 120, configured to be operatively connected to a main sensing electrode 110a or to an alternative sensing electrode 110b or to both electrode 110a and 110b, according to embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a lead-wire, configured to be operatively connected to a main sensing electrode 110a or to an alternative sensing electrode 110b or to both electrode 110a and 110b, as in Fig. 2, wherein one or more adjusting zones 140 are knitted in proximity to electrodes 110a and 110b. In the example of multi-selectable electrodes 110, as shown in Fig. 2, there are two individual electrodes 110 (with no limitations) in a specific region 107, each of which electrodes 110 is selectable by choosing one or more of the respective lead wire paths (120+121) of the respective electrode 110 that is best positioned and provides the best signal. For the sake of clarity, the present invention is not limited to selecting between two electrodes 110, that is, selection of one or more electrodes 110 can be made among several individual electrodes 110.

After the person wears the garment, individual conductive lead-wire segments 121 are connected at one end to a root lead-wire 120 and at the other end, each individual lead- wire segment 121 is detachably connected to the respective electrodes 110. The signal of each individually select electrode 110 is measured separately and the individual electrode 110 having a respective lead wire path (120+121) that provides the best signal is selected. All other lead-wire segments 121 that were not selected, remain operatively detached from the respective, using attachment/detachment means 130. Attachment/detachment means 130 can be any attachment/detachment mechanism known in the art, including conductive snap buttons mechanism 131.

Optionally, a combination of two or more electrodes 110 remain attached to a single root lead-wire 120, wherein the final signal is the sum of acquired physiological signals from each connected electrode 110.

Referring now to Fig. 3, an electrode 110 may be effectively repositioned, with minimal effect on other electrodes 110, using conductive adjusting zone electrodes 140.

Around and or proximal to critical electrodes 110, conductive adjusting zone electrodes 140 are knitted, facilitating manual adjustment which moves the relative effective position of the combined area of connected electrodes and/or conductive adjusting zone electrodes 140 with respect to other specific electrodes, without (or minimally) affecting the position of other electrodes 110. The adjustment is made by operatively connecting one or more electrodes 110 and/or one or more conductive adjusting zone electrodes 140, all of which are attached to the same root lead-wire 120 via a respective lead-wire segments 121 and an attachment/detachment means 130, which may be set to be attached or to be disconnected, as needed. It should be noted that the conductive adjusting zones may be formed in a variety of shapes and structures, such as conductive adjusting zone electrodes 140 that have a uniform structure, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4a schematically illustrates an example expandable-electrodes configuration, in which configuration at least one conductive adjusting zone 190 is knitted in proximity to a main sensing electrode 110, forming a gap 194 there between.

At least one conductive adjusting zone 190 is configured to be operatively and conductively combined with main sensing electrode 110 by a conductive adjustment patch 192, for example by a professional fitting center, according to embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 4b schematically illustrates an example of a conductive adjustment patch 192. The example main sensing electrode 110 shown in Fig. 4a, has, with no limitations, four conductive adjusting zones 190, each of which conductive adjusting zones 190 is positioned proximal to a different side of main sensing electrode 110: horizontal conductive adjusting zone 190m is positioned proximal to the upper horizontal side of main sensing electrode 110; horizontal conductive adjusting zone 190H₂ is positioned proximal to the lower horizontal side of main sensing electrode 110; vertical conductive adjusting zone 190vi is positioned proximal to a first vertical side of main sensing electrode 110; and vertical conductive adjusting zone 190v2 is positioned proximal to a second vertical side of main sensing electrode 110.

Fig. 5a schematically illustrates a first example usage of conductive adjusting zones 190 shown in Fig. 4a. In this example, a conductive adjustment patch 192 is used to unite horizontal conductive adjusting zone 190m with a first horizontal side of main sensing electrode 110, expanding main sensing electrode 110 upwardly to include horizontal conductive adjusting zone 190m, wherein the conductive adjustment patch 192 used bridges over the respective gap 194.

Fig. 5b schematically illustrates another example usage of conductive adjusting zones 190 shown in Fig. 4a. In this example, a conductive adjustment patch 192 is used to unite horizontal conductive adjusting zone 190H2 with a second horizontal side of main sensing electrode 110, expanding main sensing electrode 110 downwardly to include horizontal conductive adjusting zone 190H2, wherein the conductive adjustment patch 192 used bridges over the respective gap 194.

Fig. 5c schematically illustrates another example usage of conductive adjusting zones 190 shown in Fig. 4a. In this example, a conductive adjustment patch 192 is used to unite vertical conductive adjusting zone 190vi with a first vertical side of main sensing electrode 110, expanding main sensing electrode 110 sideways to include vertical conductive adjusting zone 190vi, wherein the conductive adjustment patch 192 used bridges over the respective gap 194.

Fig. 5d schematically illustrates another example usage of conductive adjusting zones 190 shown in Fig. 4a. In this example, a conductive adjustment patch 192 is used to unite vertical conductive adjusting zone 190v2 with a second vertical side of main sensing electrode 110, expanding main sensing electrode 110 sideways to include vertical conductive adjusting zone 190v2, wherein the conductive adjustment patch 192 used bridges over the respective gap 194.

Fig. 5e schematically illustrates another example usage of combining two conductive adjusting zones 190 with a respective electrode 110, in which two respective sides of main sensing electrode 110 are effectively expanded. In this example, a conductive adjustment patch 192 is used to unite vertical conductive adjusting zone 190v2 with a second vertical side of main sensing electrode 110, expanding main sensing electrode 110 to include vertical conductive adjusting zone 190v2, wherein the conductive adjustment patch 192 used bridges over the respective gap 194. Furthermore, a conductive adjustment patch 192 is used to unite horizontal conductive adjusting zone 190H2 with second horizontal side of that main sensing electrode 110, expanding that electrode 110 to also include horizontal conductive adjusting zone 190H2, wherein the respective conductive adjustment patch 192 used bridges over the respective gap 194.

For the sake of clarity, a main sensing electrode 110 may be coupled with multiple conductive adjusting zones 190, wherein any of the multiple conductive adjusting zones 190 may be combined with that main sensing electrode 110.

Fig. 6a (prior art) schematically illustrates an example embedded or steadily attached main sensing electrode 110 having preconfigured dimensions. Main sensing electrode 110 includes a default predesigned effective area 112 surrounded by a preconfigured frame of margins 114.

Fig. 6b (prior art) depicts an example non-conductive masking tape 182 designated to shift and/or reshape an embedded or steadily attached main sensing electrode 110. Fig. 6c (prior art) schematically illustrates a segment 182 of the non-conductive masking tape 182. It should be noted that the masking tape 182 may be detached from the electrode as needed.

It should be noted the invention is being described in terms of the insulating matter being segments of non-conductive detachable masking tape, however the present invention is not limited to using segments of non-conductive masking tape for insulation, and any other non-conductive matter, preferably, flexible, that is known in the art may be used to insulate selected portions of an electrode 110.

Fig. 7a schematically illustrates an example of a default configuration of the segments of detachable non-conductive masking tape 182, wherein the segments of the detachable non-conductive masking tape 182 cover excess margins 114 to thereby leave only the effective area of a main sensing electrode 110, by insulating the excess margins 114 of textile electrode 110. In this default example, a segment of non-conductive masking tape 182 insulates excess margins 114 of all four sides of main sensing electrode 110. This is preferably the default configuration.

Fig. 7c schematically illustrates another example of configuring the segments of detachable non-conductive masking tape 182, to thereby shifting the effective area of the respective main sensing electrode 110, by insulating excess margins 114 of main sensing electrode 110. In this example, a segment of non-conductive masking tape 182 insulates each margin 114 of the two horizontal sides of main sensing electrode 110. Furthermore, two segments of non-conductive masking tape 182 insulates a first vertical wider margin vertical margin 114 and effectively shifting main sensing electrode 110 sideways, for example to the left.

Fig. 7c schematically illustrates another example of configuring the segments of detachable non-conductive masking tape 182, to thereby shift the effective area of the respective main sensing electrode 110, by insulating excess margins 114 of main sensing electrode 110. In this example, a segment of non-conductive masking tape 182 insulates each margin 114 of the two horizontal sides of main sensing electrode 110. Furthermore, two segments of non-conductive masking tape 182 insulates a first vertical wider margin 114 of main sensing electrode 110, thereby shifting the effective area 112 of a main sensing electrode 110 sideways, for example to the right.

Fig. 7d schematically illustrates another example of configuring the segments of non-conductive masking tape 182, to thereby shift the effective area of the respective main sensing electrode 110, by insulating the excess margins 114 of main sensing electrode 110. In this example, two segments of non-conductive masking tape 182 insulates a first vertical wider margin 114 of main sensing electrode 110, thereby effectively truncating that insulated wider vertical margin 114. Furthermore, two additional segments of non- conductive masking tape 182 insulates a second horizontal wider margin 114 of main sensing electrode 110, thereby shifting the effective area 112 of a main sensing electrode 110 upwards and sideways, for example to the right.

Fig. 8a schematically illustrates an example of a non-conductive adjusting zone 160, having two elongated regions (162 and 164), wherein the outer elongated region 162 has a flexibility that is substantially higher than the inner elongated region 164. Fig. 8b schematically illustrates the exemplary non-conductive adjusting zone 160, after the garment to which adjusting zone 160 is secured, has been enlarged in direction 169 across the elongated regions (162 and 164).

In this example, adjusting zone 160 has, with no limitations, an elongated arched form having a width wi, wherein the outer elongated region 162 is substantially more flexible than the inner side region 164. Thereby, when the garment is worn and stretched in direction 169, that is in a direction across the elongated regions (162 and 164), adjusting zone 160 stretches asymmetrically, whereas the more rigid inner elongated region 164 hardly stretches at all, while the more flexible outer side region 162 does stretch in direction 165, increasing the width of elongated arched form to wi', wherein wi' > wi. Similarly, Fig. 9a schematically illustrates an exemplary non-conductive adjusting zone 170, having two elongated regions (172 and 174), wherein the inner elongated region 172 has a flexibility that is substantially lower than the second elongated region 174. Fig. 9b schematically illustrates the exemplary non-conductive adjusting zone 170, after the garment to which adjusting zone 170 is secured, has been enlarged in a direction 179 across the elongated regions (172 and 174).

In this example, adjusting zone 170 has, with no limitations, an elongated arched form having a width w¾ wherein the inner elongated region 172 is substantially more flexible than the inner side region 174. Thereby, when the garment is worn and stretched in direction 179, that is in a direction across the elongated regions (172 and 174), adjusting zone 170 stretches asymmetrically, whereas the more rigid outer side region 172 hardly stretches at all, while the more flexible inner elongated region 174 does stretch in direction 175, increasing the width of elongated arched form to w¾ wherein w₂> w₂.

Figs. 10a and 10b depict exemplary smart garments 100, illustrating usage of non- conductive adjusting zones 160 and 170. In some embodiments, cuts are made in the garment at selected locations, wherein the edges of a fitting adjusting zone (160 or 170) are secured to the respective edges formed by the cut in the garment. In some embodiments, the fitting adjusting zones (160 and/or 170) are integrally knitted with the garment at selected locations. Fig. 10a illustrates four examples of non-conductive adjusting zones 160, wherein these adjusting zones 160 are designed to respectively protect integrated electrodes LA (IIOLA), RA (IIORA), LL (IIOLL) and RL (IIORL) from moving with respect to the wearer's skin, due to stretching of the garment caused by the body structure of a particular wearer. For example, assume that a particular sized garment is worn by two users, one with a flat belly and the other with a beer belly. While the LL (IIOLL) and RL (IIORL) electrodes will sit in position on the person with the flat belly, the LL (IIOLL) and RL (IIORL) electrodes will tend to move inwardly towards the belly center due to stretching when worn by the person with the beer belly. By using a garment 100 having non-conductive adjusting zones 160, respective adjusting zones 160LL and 160RL, when worn by the person with the beer belly, sections 162 of adjusting zones 160LL and 160RL will stretch towards the belly center, keeping the LL (IIOLL) and RL (IIORL) electrodes from moving with respect to their designated location with respect to the wearer' s skin. Fig. 10b illustrates an example non-conductive adjusting zone 170vi, wherein this adjusting zone 170v2 is designed to protect the positioning of integrated electrode V2 (110v2) from moving with respect to the wearer's skin, due to the stretching of the garment caused by the body structure of a particular wearer. For example, assume that a particular sized garment is worn by two users, one with a narrower chest and the other with a wider chest. While the V2 electrode 110v2 may sit in position with respect to the sternum of the person with the narrower chest, the V2 electrode 110v2 electrode of the person with the wider chest will tend to move away from the sternum. By using a garment 100 having non- conductive adjusting zone 100v2, when worn by the person with the wider chest, sections 172 of adjusting zone 170v2 will stretch away from the sternum, keeping the V2 electrode 110v2 from moving with respect to their designated location with respect to the wearer's skin.

The adjusting zone may be of any shape (straight, non-symmetric, etc.).

The adjusting zone may be added after knitting or can be integrally part of the original knitting.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A smart textile garment (100) for monitoring physiological parameters of a living being, having a predesigned size designed to fit a selected average body dimensions, the garment comprising:

a) a base fabric (105) having a skin side and an external side, wherein said external side faces away from the user's skin; b) at least one embedded or steadily attached main sensing electrode (110) having a skin side and an external side, wherein said skin side faces the user's skin and said external side faces away from the user's skin, and wherein said main sensing electrode (110) includes an effective area (112) configured to sense at least some said physiological parameter; c) means for shifting said effective area (112) of said main sensing electrode (110) with respect to the skin of the monitored living being; and d) at least one lead-wire (120), having a first end and a second end, wherein said means for shifting said effective area (112) of a main sensing electrode (110) are adapted to position said effective area (112) of said main sensing electrode (110) to fit to the body dimensions of the monitored living being; and wherein said first end of each said at least one lead-wire (120) is securely and conductively attached to a respective said main sensing electrode, and wherein said second end of said at least one elastic conductor is operatively connected to a processor, facilitating said sensed physiological parameter to be communicated from said least one main sensing electrode to said processor.

2. The smart textile garment of claim 1, wherein said means for shifting said effective area (112) of said main sensing electrode (110a) comprise:

a) at least one alternative sensing electrode (110b) embedded or steadily attached proximal to said main sensing electrode (110a); and

b) conductive attachment/detachment means (130) for attaching said main sensing electrode (110) to said at least one lead-wire (120), or detaching aid main sensing electrode (110) from said at least one lead-wire (120), wherein said alternative sensing electrode (110b) is conductively connected to said at least one lead-wire (120) that is conductively connected said main sensing electrode (110a); and wherein said main sensing electrode (110a) and said alternative sensing electrode (110b) are connected to said at least one lead-wire (120) via said attachment/detachment means (130).

3. The smart textile garment of claim 2, wherein operatively, said main sensing electrode (110a) and/or said alternative sensing electrode (110b) are selectively connected to or disconnected from said at least one lead-wire (120).

4. The smart textile garment of claim 1, wherein said means for shifting said effective area (112) of said main sensing electrode (110) comprise:

a) at least one conductive adjusting zone (190) knitted in proximity to said main sensing electrode (110), forming a gap (194) there between; and

b) at least one conductive adjustment patch (192) configured to conductively combine said at least one conductive adjusting zone (190) with said main sensing electrode (110), to thereby shift said effective area (112) towards said at least one conductive adjusting zone (190).

5. The smart textile garment of claim 1, wherein said means for shifting said effective area (112) of said main sensing electrode (110) comprise: a) a preconfigured frame of margins (114) surrounding said effective area (112) of said main sensing electrode (110) that includes a default predesigned surrounded by frame of margins (114), wherein said frame of margins (114) is embedded or steadily attached together with said main sensing electrode (110), forming a continuous conductive area; and

b) at least one attachable/detachable, flexible, insulating tape (182), wherein said non-conductive insulating tape (182) is placed over portions of said skin side of said main sensing electrode (110) to thereby shift said effective area (112), being the uncovered are of said main sensing electrode (110), to a desired location with respect to the garment and the skin of the monitored living being.

6. The smart textile garment of claim 1, wherein said means for shifting said effective area (112) of said main sensing electrode (110) comprise: a) a non-conductive adjusting zone (160, 170) having two elongated regions (162, 172, 164, 174), a more flexible elongated region (162, 174) and a more rigid elongated region (164, 172), wherein said non-conductive adjusting zone (160, 170) is embedded or steadily attached proximal to said main sensing electrode (110). wherein said non-conductive adjusting zone (160, 170) is configured to limit undesired stretching motion of said main sensing electrode (110) with respect to the skin of the monitored living being, when the living being wears the smart textile garment; wherein said more rigid elongated region (164, 172) faces said main sensing electrode (110) and said more flexible elongated region (162, 174) faces away from said main sensing electrode (110); and wherein when a region said base fabric (105) of the garment, containing said main sensing electrode (110), stretches such that said main sensing electrode (110) tend to move towards said non-conductive adjusting zone (160, 170), the majority of the stretching force is absorbed by said more flexible elongated region (162, 174), to thereby limit the stretching motion of said main sensing electrode (110) with respect to the skin of the monitored living being.