Cardiopulmonary monitoring by textile electrodes without subject-awareness of being monitored

Abstract

An automated system is developed to monitor cardiopulmonary functions during sleep using electrically conductive textiles. The system obviates the need to attach transducers or electrodes to the body surface, and the subject can follow his or her normal daily routine, wearing regular pyjamas to bed. Part of the bed sheet consists of electrically conductive textiles under the positions of the head, torso and legs. Respiratory activity and electrocardiograms of diagnostic quality are observed by means of the electrodes while the subject is sleeping. Respiration is sensed by means of electrical capacitance in/around the thorax. Data acquisition and storage are fully automated; thus, the subject’s awareness of being monitored is greatly reduced. This system could detect disorders of cardiopulmonary functions at an early stage, if used daily in the home with the concept of chronodiagnosis.