title: Performance evaluation of sensing fabrics for monitoring physiological and biomechanical variables.
abstract: In the last few years, the smart textile area has become increasingly widespread, leading to developments in new wearable sensing systems. Truly wearable instrumented garments capable of recording behavioral and vital signals are crucial for several fields of application. Here we report on results of a careful characterization of the performance of innovative fabric sensors and electrodes able to acquire vital biomechanical and physiological signals, respectively. The sensing function of the fabric sensors relies upon newly developed strain sensors, based on rubber-carbon-coated threads, and mainly depends on the weaving topology, and the composition and deposition process of the conducting rubber-carbon mixture. Fabric sensors are used to acquire the respitrace (RT) and movement sensors (MS). Sensing features of electrodes, instead rely upon metal-based conductive threads, which are instrumental in detecting bioelectrical signals, such as electrocardiogram (ECG) and electromyogram (EMG). Fabric sensors have been tested during some specific tasks of breathing and movement activity, and results have been compared with the responses of a commercial piezoelectric sensor and an electrogoniometer, respectively. The performance of fabric electrodes has been investigated and compared with standard clinical electrodes.
authors.affiliation: Interdepartmental Research Center E. Piaggio, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy. e.scilingo@ing.unipi.it
authors.forename: Enzo Pasquale
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Scilingo
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gemignani
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paradiso
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taccini
authors.forename: Brunello
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ghelarducci
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Rossi
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003020:Clothing; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004566:Electrodes; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013686:Telemetry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013784:Textiles; D014159:Transducers