Design and validation of an e-textile-based wearable system for remote health monitoring

Armando Coccia,Leandro Donisi,Gaetano Pagano,Federica Amitrano,Giuseppe Cesarelli,Mario Cesarelli,Giovanni D'Addio

doi:10.21014/acta_imeko.v10i2.912

Armando Coccia, Leandro Donisi + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.21014/acta_imeko.v10i2.912

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Abstract

<p class="Abstract">The paper presents a new e-textile-based system, named SWEET Shirt, for the remote monitoring of biomedical signals. The system includes a textile sensing shirt, an electronic unit for data transmission, a custom-made Android application for real-time signal visualisation and a software desktop for advanced digital signal processing. The device allows for the acquisition of electrocardiographic, bicep electromyographic and trunk acceleration signals. The sensors, electrodes, and bus structures are all integrated within the textile garment, without any discomfort for users. A wide-ranging set of algorithms for signal processing were also developed for use within the system, allowing clinicians to rapidly obtain a complete and schematic overview of a patient’s clinical status. The aim of this work was to present the design and development of the device and to provide a validation analysis of the electrocardiographic measurement and digital processing. The results demonstrate that the information contained in the signals recorded by the novel system is comparable to that obtained via a standard medical device commonly used in clinical environments. Similarly encouraging results were obtained in the comparison of the variables derived from the signal processing.</p>

Highlights

In recent years, wearable technologies have aroused a great deal of interest, which is expected to further continue thanks to the rapid improvements in technology
The use of these technologies is increasing in clinical environments, with Holter systems used for electrocardiographic (ECG) or long-term blood pressure monitoring [1]-[2], wearable integrated systems used in polysomnographic monitoring [3], inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based systems used to recognise and evaluate activity [4] or to assess postural and gait analysis [5]-[6], and a variety of other technologies being introduced
The innovative features of the system rely on the multi-parametric approach in health monitoring and on the wideranging set of tools available for digital signal processing

Summary

Introduction

Wearable technologies have aroused a great deal of interest, which is expected to further continue thanks to the rapid improvements in technology. Healthcare remains one of the most interesting markets, and the advantages provided by wearable technologies can potentially establish significant cost reductions for healthcare systems. The use of these technologies is increasing in clinical environments, with Holter systems used for electrocardiographic (ECG) or long-term blood pressure monitoring [1]-[2], wearable integrated systems used in polysomnographic monitoring [3], inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based systems used (attached on the patient’s skin) to recognise and evaluate activity [4] or to assess postural and gait analysis [5]-[6], and a variety of other technologies being introduced.

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