This paper gives an overview of technologies and results of integration and test of textile integrated sensors and electrodes for monitoring of biosignals (electrocardiographic -ECG and electromyographic -EMG), breathing and moisture. Using a seamless jacquard knitting machine, it is possible to integrate these sensors and electrodes directly into the fabrics, which can then be used in clothing for monitoring of elderly people, in sports or in hazardous occupations. The total integration of the sensing elements and connections into the garment presents great advantages in physical as well as psychological comfort of the user. It has been shown that the measurements are of adequate quality for most of the applications. In some cases, as is the case of ECG and EMG, signals acquired are similar to those obtained using conventional electrodes.

The development of new thermoplastic polymer-based piezoelectric sensors with filament geometry is described. These filaments are appropriate for integration into textiles and provide new possibilities in the design and development of low-cost flexible sensors produced at high rates. The developed three-layered piezoelectric monofilaments have been produced by coextrusion using poly(vinylidene fluoride) and two different polypropylene-based electrically conductive polymers. Filaments with about 800-mm diameter, producing electrical signals proportional to the mechanical deformation applied, were obtained. The signal output has been found adequate for straightforward use with conventional piezoelectric signal conditioning systems. One of the conductive polymers tested allowed better filament geometry and process stability. This article describes the coextrusion production process and the results obtained in the electromechanical tests performed.

The phase transformation from the α-to the electroactive β-phase of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) extruded filaments submitted to different stretching conditions was investigated. Sample filaments of α-PVDF thermoplastic were extruded and stretched uniaxially at different temperatures (80 ºC to 120 ºC) and stretch ratios (1 to 6). The stretched samples were studied and characterised by x-ray diffraction and quasi-static mechanical experiments. High β-phase contents (~ 80%) are achieved using a stretch ratio of 5 independently of the stretching temperature, between 80 ºC and 120 ºC. Subsequently, in order to obtain filament geometries and material configurations suitable for application, a two layer filament with coaxial layers was produced by coextrusion. The inner layer consisted of a commercially available grade of a conductive thermoplastic with a polypropylene (PP) matrix. For the outer layer the same grade of PVDF was employed. The double-layer filament was also stretched under the same conditions of the PVDF filaments and the results obtained shows that the inner layer material, acting as an electrode, does not have any influence in the PVDF 2 crystallization process: PVDF crystallizes in the α-phase for stretch ratios of 1 and the α− to β-phase transformation occurs for higher stretch ratios.

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Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common condition. The central aim of this study was to describe the use of volumetric capnography (VCap) before and after fi brinolytic treatment of major PE. Lung scintigraphy was used as a base of comparison for the results of this treatment. We describe the cases of two conscious and spontaneously breathing patients (20-and 24-year-old women) with major PE undergoing thrombolysis. Curves of CO 2 were obtained by VCap and associated with arterial blood gas analysis and D-dimer. The pattern of VCap was compared with the VCap of health volunteers. Parameters also calculated were: P(a-et)CO 2 gradient, alveolar dead space fraction (AVDSf ), late dead space fraction (f Dlate), and slope phase III (Slp III). The VCap results before and after thrombolysis for patients 1 and 2 were, respectively, P(a-et)CO 2 : 12.6 to 5.8 and 7.9 to 1.6 (mmHg); AVDSf: 0.46 to 0.18 and 0.25 to 0.05; f Dlate: 0.46 to 0.21 and 0.24 to 0.04; Slp III: 1.75 to 5.10 and 1.21 to 5.61 (mmHg/L). Lung scintigraphy was used to compare VCap results from the two subjects with VCap results from healthy volunteers and pigs before and after treatment associated with arterial blood gas, D-dimer, and showed satisfactory agreement.

This paper presents the results of a series of experiments aiming at the optimisation of vital sign monitoring using textile electrodes to be used in a swimsuit. The swimsuit will integrate sensors for the measurement of several physiological and biomechanical signals; this paper will focus on ECG and respiratory movement analysis. The data obtained is mainly intended to provide tools for evaluation of high-performance swimmers, although applications can be derived for leisure sports and other situations.A comparison between electrodes based on different materials and structures, behaviour in dry and wet environments, as well as the behaviour in different extension states, will be presented.The influence of movement on the signal quality, both by the muscular electrical signals as well as by the displacement of the electrodes, will be discussed. The final objective is the integration of the electrodes in the swimsuit by knitting them directly in the suit's fabric in a seamless knitting machine.

Resumo Diante da ameaça de desestruturação do tecido produtivo como consequência do isolamento social imposto no Brasil, e tendo em vista que as micro e pequenas empresas são aquelas mais duramente atingidas, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo formular uma proposta de auxílio emergencial governamental para este segmento econômico. Para tanto, apresenta uma breve análise das medidas já adotadas pelo Governo Federal, propõe uma medida capaz de preencher suas lacunas e, por fim, estima os custos da medida proposta para o Tesouro Nacional.

In this work, continuous health monitoring for disabled or elderly people is proposed using textile integrated electrodes for ECG measurement. Other applications, such as EMG or skin impedance measurement are also envisaged. The paper specifically describes a shirt integrating electrodes for ECG measurement that has been tested in several conditions. The techniques for integration of ECG electrodes can be directly applied for production of EMG or skin-impedance electrodes. Signal processing techniques for heart rate value extraction and to deal with low-quality signal or motion artefacts are being tested and will also be described. Results show that signals acquired with the shirt are comparable to signals acquired with conventional gel electrodes. The complete integration of the electrodes into clothing may have a very interesting psychological benefit, but some issues related to comfort and daily use have to be further investigated.