Textile sensors to measure sweat pH and sweat-rate during exercise

Sweat analysis can provide a valuable insight into a person’s well-being. Here we present wearable textile-based sensors that can provide real-time information regarding sweat activity. A pH sensitive dye incorporated into a fabric fluidic system is used to determine sweat pH. To detect the onset of sweat activity a sweat rate sensor is incorporated into a textile substrate. The sensors are integrated into a waistband and controlled by a central unit with wireless connectivity. The use of such sensors for sweat analysis may provide valuable physiological information for applications in sports performance and also in healthcare

Internet-based training of coronary artery patients: the Heart Cycle Trial

© 2016, Springer Japan. Low adherence to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) might be improved by remote monitoring systems that can be used to motivate and supervise patients and tailor CR safely and effectively to their needs. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a smartphone-guided training system (GEX) and whether it could improve exercise capacity compared to CR delivered by conventional methods for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). A prospective, randomized, international, multi-center study comparing CR delivered by conventional means (CG) or by remote monitoring (IG) using a new training steering/feedback tool (GEx System). This consisted of a sensor monitoring breathing rate and the electrocardiogram that transmitted information on training intensity, arrhythmias and adherence to training prescriptions, wirelessly via the internet, to a medical team that provided feedback and adjusted training prescriptions. Exercise capacity was evaluated prior to and 6 months after intervention. 118 patients (58 ± 10 years, 105 men) with CAD referred for CR were randomized (IG: n = 55, CG: n = 63). However, 15 patients (27 %) in the IG and 18 (29 %) in the CG withdrew participation and technical problems prevented a further 21 patients (38 %) in the IG from participating. No training-related complications occurred. For those who completed the study, peak VO 2 improved more (p = 0.005) in the IG (1.76 ± 4.1 ml/min/kg) compared to CG (−0.4 ± 2.7 ml/min/kg). A newly designed system for home-based CR appears feasible, safe and improves exercise capacity compared to national CR. Technical problems reflected the complexity of applying remote monitoring solutions at an international level

Thoracoscopic versus open lobectomy debate: the pro argument

Introduction: Controversy persists about the role of VATS lobectomy for patients with lung cancer. This is particularly true in Europe, where VATS (video assisted thoracic surgery) lobectomy is performed for lung cancer less often than in the USA or Japan. This article reviews existing data comparing the results of VATS vs. open lobectomy for the treatment of lung cancer in order to provide a scientific basis for a rational assessment of this issue

Wearable biosensing: signal processing and communication architectures issues, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2005, nr 4

Long-term monitoring of human vital signs is becoming one of the most important fields of research of biomedical engineering. In order to achieve weeks to months of monitoring, new strategies for sensing, conditioning, processing and communication have to be developed. Several strategies are emerging and show different possible architectures. This paper essentially focuses on issues in wearable biosignal processing and communication architecture currently running at the Swiss Center for Electronics andMicrotechnology (CSEM) in the framework of several European projects

BIOTEX-biosensing textiles for personalised healthcare management.

Textile-based sensors offer an unobtrusive method of continually monitoring physiological parameters during daily activities. Chemical analysis of body fluids, noninvasively, is a novel and exciting area of personalized wearable healthcare systems. BIOTEX was an EU-funded project that aimed to develop textile sensors to measure physiological parameters and the chemical composition of body fluids, with a particular interest in sweat. A wearable sensing system has been developed that integrates a textile-based fluid handling system for sample collection and transport with a number of sensors including sodium, conductivity, and pH sensors. Sensors for sweat rate, ECG, respiration, and blood oxygenation were also developed. For the first time, it has been possible to monitor a number of physiological parameters together with sweat composition in real time. This has been carried out via a network of wearable sensors distributed around the body of a subject user. This has huge implications for the field of sports and human performance and opens a whole new field of research in the clinical setting

Proetex: protective e-textiles to enhance the safety of emergency/disaster operators: current state of the projects' achievements

Proetex is a European Integrated Project dedicated to the realization of a micro- and nano-technology-based wearable equipment for emergency operators. During the first 3 years of work, two different and progressively improved versions of a complete “smart” uniform for fire-fighters and emergency rescuers have been realized. These garments aim at monitoring both physiological parameters, position and posture of the operators and the presence of external potential sources of danger and to send these data to a remote coordinating unit. In the following, the main issues of the design and realization will be described and discussed

How to Identify the Recommended Number of Cores?

The concrete strength assessment process is influenced by uncertainties at many levels, including random measurement errors, sampling uncertainty and identification of the conversion model parameters. Therefore, instead of estimating the true value of the concrete strength, it is preferable to say that the objective of the assessment process is to predict a strength value ranging at a tolerable distance from the true strength value. This implies a deep revision of the assessment paradigm, in which both the acceptable tolerance interval and the risk of a wrong assessment must be given at the very beginning of the investigation. A large series of simulations has been carried out in order to understand and quantify how, for a given tolerance on the strength estimation, the risk value varies as a function of the precision of measurements, the number of cores and the strength distribution. Empirical models have been identified from the simulation results. These models have been finally used to calculate how many cores are required in various situations, to achieve the accuracy corresponding to three different estimation quality levels. This chapter describes the principles of the simulation, and how their results were used in order to build a series of tables where the recommended number of cores is made available in a variety of situations

Identification of Test Regions and Choice of Conversion Models

The main objective of test region (TR) identification is to define an efficient conversion model. The first part of the chapter aims a difficult question, the identification of test regions (TR) because each structure is specific and so it is impossible to give a unique methodology. Here, three different possibilities are proposed. The first one is based on synthetic data obtained on a continuous structure for which TR are identified by means of k-means clustering method. The second approach concerns a real building for which TR are determined by means of two different statistical methods based on the analysis of confidence interval and ANOVA. On three real case studies, the second part of the chapter compares the performances of two scenarios, either the consideration of several TRs and so a conversion model on each one, or the consideration of a unique TR with only one model. The efficiency of each scenario is quantified by the error on the estimation of both mean strength and local strength

Recommendation of RILEM TC249-ISC on non destructive in situ strength assessment of concrete

International audienceThis recommendation is written to improve the assessment of the in situ. Compressive strength of concrete in existing structures by combining core strength values and non-destructive measurements. Both average strength and its scatter are considered. Deriving a characteristic strength from the assessment results is not considered here. The recommendation applies for most common techniques (ultrasonic pulse velocity, rebound hammer, pull-out) but also for less common techniques (penetration test, etc.). The recommendation does not apply to situations in which no core has been taken from the existing structure and is limited to situations where NDT is combined with cores. The recommendation introduces the concept of Estimation Quality Level, corresponding to the target of assessment, and which is put in relation with the means and strategy developed for assessing concrete. The text details all steps that must be followed from the data gathering to the checking of the quality of the final estimations. For more clarity, an illustrative example is described for each step of the assessment process

How Investigators Can Assess Concrete Strength with On-site Non-destructive Tests and Lessons to Draw from a Benchmark

A benchmark is carried out in order to compare how 13 experts define and can carry out an NDT investigation program and derive strength values from NDT measurements. The benchmark is based on simulations, which reproduces a synthetic data set corresponding to a grid of twenty 3m-high columns defining the structure of a building made up of beams and columns. The experts must assess the mean and the standard deviation of compressive strength. Three levels of assessment are considered corresponding to different quantities of test results (destructive or non destructive) available for the experts. The comparison of the various strategies used by the experts and the analysis of results enables the identification of the most influential parameters that define an investigation approach and influence its efficiency and accuracy. A special emphasis is placed on the magnitude of the measurement error. A model of the investigation strategy is also proposed