Smart Shirt
Encyclopedia
Smart shirts, or clothing made from smart fabric, have been made by several companies, including, Numetrex, Adidas
, Alphyn Industries, Sensatex, SmartLife and Zephyr Technology
. The Numetrex bra uses Zephyr electronic modules and silver coated electrodes to pick up a person's heart rate and transmit the data to a watch worn on the wrist. The Zephyr BioHarness measures heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, activity, and posture. Data is transmitted via Bluetooth
to a radio, PDA or mobile phone and hence the internet. There also exists the HXM which measures Heart rate, speed and distance to a mobile phone for training purposes.
The SmartLife HealthVest uses technology originating from the University of Manchester is based on knitted sensor structures which are multi -functional and integral to the garments manufacture. These softsensors contain discreet electric and electronic components for monitoring physiological signs.
The LifeShirt by VivoMetrics was the first commercially available smartshirt and recorded ECG, respiration using inductance plethysmography
, accelerometry, with optional plugin pulse oximetry, GSR, blood pressure, microphone and electronic diary capture.
Alphyn Industries has developed shirts that accommodate a smartphone in a custom pocket designed to enable the user to interact with their phone through the pocket without having to take it out. Alphyn also has a different smart shirt that uses silver fibers for anti-bacterial purposes to reduce body odor and improve the healing of the skin by inhibiting bacterial growth. Alphyn's silver shirt also provides EMF protection to the wearer through the Faraday cage principle and protects the wearer from elecromagnetic radiation.
The Sensatex Smart Shirt is manufactured by Sensatex, but was developed by the Georgia Institute of Technology
and originally funded by the US military's 21st Century Land Warrior Program and the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (Bowie 2000). The shirt contains sensors that can be used to monitor vital signs such as heart rate, EKG, respiration, and blood pressure (Tollen 2001). To date this "Smart shirt" has not entered production. According to a recent 10-k by company EXMOVERE, Sensatex has transferred the license to Exmovere Holdings.
In mass production in 2007 is the Zephyr BioHarness which has been shipped to NASA, Stanford University and US Special Ops for live soldier monitoring over their VHF radios.
The SmartLife HealthVest uses both integrated and integral knitted softsensors which contain discreet electric and electronic components for monitoring physiological signs.
The BioHarness splits the shirt in two; one is the harness or shirt that uses off the shelf fabrics and conductive lycra as the electrodes. The second piece is s small electronic "puck" that attaches to the shirt and converts the electrodes' signals to vital signs.
This information from the shirt is sent to your doctor, coach, or personal server via a wireless network like Bluetooth, RF, wLAN, or cellular network.
can be adapted to various health related applications to meet the needs of the patient (Sensatex 2005). Initial System consist of two or three lead EKG, heart rate monitor, and respiration monitor, temperature, activity and posture. These parameters can be used to monitor people after surgery, at risk of falling or those with chronic illness that do not require hospitalization.
has one goal which is to “significantly minimize casualties for first responders by providing knowledge of their health status to on-scene commanders in a number of emergency situations” (Sensatex 2005) has developed a First Responder Smart Shirt incorporating: sensors for continuous biometric monitoring, an electronic controller and optional bi-directional wireless telemetry system to ensure their safety, and an electronic controller and optional bi-directional wireless telemetry system to communicate all First Responder team information including biometric data to off-site personnel for a better coordination of the rescue operation (Sensatex 2005). Zephyr technology has shipped their http://www.zephyr-technology.com/products/solutions/first_responder_system FRS1000 system that uses a smart shirt or BioHarness to transmit vital signs over the fire fighters VHF radio to the on scene commander.
http://www.zephyrtech.co.nz/products/solutions/team_system can monitor up to 64 players anywhere in a stadium and use the vital signs and accelerometty to detect anaerobic threshold, heart rate recovery and other parameters important to measure a person fitness and fatigue.
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
, Alphyn Industries, Sensatex, SmartLife and Zephyr Technology
Zephyr Technology
Zephyr Technology Limited is a privately owned company specializing is remote monitoring of people's physiology and biomechanics. Smart fabrics are used for physiological sensor electrodes designed into elastic straps or clothing. Bio-mechanical sensing is used so that doctors can understand what a...
. The Numetrex bra uses Zephyr electronic modules and silver coated electrodes to pick up a person's heart rate and transmit the data to a watch worn on the wrist. The Zephyr BioHarness measures heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, activity, and posture. Data is transmitted via Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
to a radio, PDA or mobile phone and hence the internet. There also exists the HXM which measures Heart rate, speed and distance to a mobile phone for training purposes.
The SmartLife HealthVest uses technology originating from the University of Manchester is based on knitted sensor structures which are multi -functional and integral to the garments manufacture. These softsensors contain discreet electric and electronic components for monitoring physiological signs.
The LifeShirt by VivoMetrics was the first commercially available smartshirt and recorded ECG, respiration using inductance plethysmography
Respiratory inductance plethysmography
Respiratory Inductance Plethysmography is a method of evaluating pulmonary ventilation by measuring the movement of the chest and abdominal wall....
, accelerometry, with optional plugin pulse oximetry, GSR, blood pressure, microphone and electronic diary capture.
Alphyn Industries has developed shirts that accommodate a smartphone in a custom pocket designed to enable the user to interact with their phone through the pocket without having to take it out. Alphyn also has a different smart shirt that uses silver fibers for anti-bacterial purposes to reduce body odor and improve the healing of the skin by inhibiting bacterial growth. Alphyn's silver shirt also provides EMF protection to the wearer through the Faraday cage principle and protects the wearer from elecromagnetic radiation.
The Sensatex Smart Shirt is manufactured by Sensatex, but was developed by the Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
and originally funded by the US military's 21st Century Land Warrior Program and the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (Bowie 2000). The shirt contains sensors that can be used to monitor vital signs such as heart rate, EKG, respiration, and blood pressure (Tollen 2001). To date this "Smart shirt" has not entered production. According to a recent 10-k by company EXMOVERE, Sensatex has transferred the license to Exmovere Holdings.
In mass production in 2007 is the Zephyr BioHarness which has been shipped to NASA, Stanford University and US Special Ops for live soldier monitoring over their VHF radios.
How it works
The Sensatex Smart Shirt uses what the company calls interconnection technology that involves networking sensing, monitoring, and information processing devices (Sensatex 2005).The SmartLife HealthVest uses both integrated and integral knitted softsensors which contain discreet electric and electronic components for monitoring physiological signs.
The BioHarness splits the shirt in two; one is the harness or shirt that uses off the shelf fabrics and conductive lycra as the electrodes. The second piece is s small electronic "puck" that attaches to the shirt and converts the electrodes' signals to vital signs.
This information from the shirt is sent to your doctor, coach, or personal server via a wireless network like Bluetooth, RF, wLAN, or cellular network.
Health monitoring
The Smart Shirt system designed for health monitoringHome automation for the elderly and disabled
The form of home automation called assistive domotics focuses on making it possible for the elderly and disabled to remain at home, safe and comfortable. Home automation is becoming a viable option for the elderly and disabled who would prefer to stay in the comfort of their homes rather than move...
can be adapted to various health related applications to meet the needs of the patient (Sensatex 2005). Initial System consist of two or three lead EKG, heart rate monitor, and respiration monitor, temperature, activity and posture. These parameters can be used to monitor people after surgery, at risk of falling or those with chronic illness that do not require hospitalization.
First responders
Remote sensing using a smart shirt designed for First RespondersCertified first responder
A certified first responder is a person who has completed a course and received certification in providing pre-hospital care for medical emergencies. They have more skill than someone who is trained in basic first aid but they are not a substitute for advanced medical care rendered by emergency...
has one goal which is to “significantly minimize casualties for first responders by providing knowledge of their health status to on-scene commanders in a number of emergency situations” (Sensatex 2005) has developed a First Responder Smart Shirt incorporating: sensors for continuous biometric monitoring, an electronic controller and optional bi-directional wireless telemetry system to ensure their safety, and an electronic controller and optional bi-directional wireless telemetry system to communicate all First Responder team information including biometric data to off-site personnel for a better coordination of the rescue operation (Sensatex 2005). Zephyr technology has shipped their http://www.zephyr-technology.com/products/solutions/first_responder_system FRS1000 system that uses a smart shirt or BioHarness to transmit vital signs over the fire fighters VHF radio to the on scene commander.
Athletes
The Smart Shirt System designed for athletes can be used to maximize training and performance. The Athletic Smart Shirt System allows the athlete to track and monitor “biometric data, such as heart rate, respiration rate, body temperature, caloric burn, and provides readouts via a wristwatch, PDA/smart phone, or voice” (Sensatex 2005). The information can also be stored and accessed using the internet in order for the athlete to track his or her progress over time. The Team system from Zephyr TechnologyZephyr Technology
Zephyr Technology Limited is a privately owned company specializing is remote monitoring of people's physiology and biomechanics. Smart fabrics are used for physiological sensor electrodes designed into elastic straps or clothing. Bio-mechanical sensing is used so that doctors can understand what a...
http://www.zephyrtech.co.nz/products/solutions/team_system can monitor up to 64 players anywhere in a stadium and use the vital signs and accelerometty to detect anaerobic threshold, heart rate recovery and other parameters important to measure a person fitness and fatigue.
Other applications
Some other possible applications for Smart Shirts include monitoring Hazardous-Materials personnel, soldiers on the battlefield, and truck driver fatigue. Smart Shirts will likely make their way to the battlefield in the future. The shirt will not only allow soldiers vital signs to be monitored from anywhere, but their exact position will also be monitored. This will not only provide a strategical advantage to our soldiers but also improve the response time of medical personnel.Benefits
The design of the Interconnection Technology allows for a fully fashioned garment to be produced from two-dimensional fabric without the need to cut and sew the garment which allows for it to “be incorporated into any fabric (cotton, lycra, wool, silk, etc.) or blend of fabrics without effecting the look, feel or integrity of the fabric that it is replacing”(Sensatex 2005). The information collected by the shirt can be accessed from a remote location therefore improving diagnosis time and also providing a sense of security for the user.See also
- Wearable technologyWearable technologyWearable technology, tech togs, or fashion electronics are clothing and accessories incorporating computer and advanced electronic technologies...
- Clothing technologyClothing technologyClothing technology involves the manufacturing, materials, and design innovations that have been developed and used. The timeline of clothing and textiles technology includes major changes in the manufacture and distribution of clothing....
- Alphyn Industries