CONTEXT Project - Contactless Sensors for Body Monitoring Incorporated in Textiles
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Musculoskeletal disorders, such as low back pain and RSI, often caused from psychological stress and physiological strain, are today among the biggest health and safety problems for people world wide, leading to enormous social and economical costs. The drive for miniaturization of electronic components should enable us to surround ourselves with sensors for monitoring our surroundings and our own body. However, body-monitoring sensors today cannot be used in unobtrusive due to their shape or material properties.
The objective of the CONTEXT project [1] was to create a system where different types of contactless sensors are incorporated into textiles to be used in continuous monitoring of individuals. Contactless sensors were developed for the purpose of measuring electromyography (EMG) and electrocardiography (ECG) signals.
The contactless sensors investigated in the CONTEXT project consist of true textile sensor electrodes that pick up the muscle and heart electric signals and miniaturized pre-processing sensor electronics connected to a textile substrate which contains conductive yarn structures for data and power transmission. Dedicated system architecture and data processing equipment were designed. Finally a feasibility prototype was created in the form of a vest, containing two-dimensional sensor arrays integrated in a conductive textile substrate, capable of monitoring the muscle activity and the psychological stress state of the person wearing it.
The new textile structures are characterized by high mechanical flexibility, high bend and break resistance and therefore a very good reliability and durability. These structures offer the possibility for a complete textile integration with a substantial improvement of the wearing comfort.
One of the ideas that has been developed within the project is a concept for application in sports: a wearable device that measures aspects of the hockey hit and translates it into feedback that is relevant for the user. ‘Your Move’ is a wearable measure-ment and feedback system developed for field-hockey players (talented youth aged 10 to 14) to improve the regular hit. Two technologies, contactless EMG measurement and motion capturing (using Xsens technol-ogy), are used to measure forward motion, body posture, and speed and accuracy of the ball. A first visual and functional demonstrator has been developed, consisting of a vest and a base plate with integrated sensors. In first tests with hockey players at the Oranje Zwart Field Hockey Club in The Netherlands, it was shown that ‘Your Move can really help hockey players to improve their hit and can also be further developed into products that can be used to improve different skills, also in other sports.
ConText is currently drafting a business plan for three potential applications: anti-RSI garment, hockey hit analyser and an active EMG game controller.
References
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