WEARABLE DEVICE

Abstract

A wearable device including a garment portion including an inner textile layer, and an electronic portion including at least one electrode based on an electrically conductive elastomer, stitched to the inner textile layer and/or to a support layer attached to the inner textile layer. The garment portion is designed to at least partially surround a person's limb such that the inner textile layer and the at least one electrode are kept at least partially in contact with the person when the device is worn.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A wearable device comprising: a garment portion comprising an inner textile layer, and an electronic portion comprising at least one electrode, based on electrically conductive elastomer, stitched to the inner textile layer and/or to a support layer attached to the inner textile layer, the garment portion being arranged so as to at least partially surround a person's limb such that the inner textile layer and the at least one electrode are kept at least partially in contact with the person when the device is worn.

12. The wearable device according to claim 11, comprising a support layer made of textile material, attached to the inner textile layer.

13. The wearable device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one electrode is produced from a carbon-doped silicone elastomer.

14. The wearable device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one electrode is functional at any temperature between −10° C. and 50° C.

15. The wearable device according to claim 11, wherein the electronic portion further comprises an electronic unit mechanically and electrically connected to the at least one electrode in a removable manner.

16. The wearable device according to claim 11, wherein: at least one of the at least one electrode comprises at least one groove in which a cable is mounted; the at least one of the at least one electrode is stitched by at least one thread forming a plurality of loops, and a loop of said plurality of loops straddles the groove so as to hold the cable therein.

17. The wearable device according to claim 11, the garment portion being arranged so as to at least partially surround the person's head and such that at least one of the at least one electrode is kept at least partially against the person's forehead when the device is worn.

18. The wearable device according to claim 11, wherein the garment portion is arranged so as to at least partially surround the person's head such that at least one of the at least one electrode is kept at least partially against the person's occiput when the device is worn.

19. The wearable device according to claim 11, wherein: the garment portion further comprises an outer textile layer opposite to the inner textile layer, and the support layer is sandwiched between the inner textile layer and the outer textile layer.

20. The wearable device according to claim 19, wherein: the inner textile layer comprises an outer surface facing the support layer and an inner surface opposite to the outer surface of the inner textile layer, and the at least one electrode is arranged against at least part of the inner surface of the inner textile layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below and analyzing the appended drawings, in which:

[0045] FIG. 1

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a first part of a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 2

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a second part of the wearable device of FIG. 1.

[0049] FIG. 3

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a view of an electrode of a wearable device according to one embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0051] For the most part, the drawings and the description below contain elements that are certain in nature. Therefore not only may they serve to provide a better understanding of this disclosure, but where appropriate they may also contribute to its definition.

[0052] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which represent two sectional views, respectively of a first part and of a second part of a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0053] According to this embodiment, the wearable device is a headband in which the first part as represented in FIG. 1 is a front part.

[0054] The front part comprises a garment portion and an electronic portion.

[0055] The garment portion comprises: [0056] an inner textile layer 100 configured to be kept in contact with a person's skin when the wearable device is worn by the person; [0057] an outer textile layer 110 opposite to the inner textile layer 100; and [0058] a support layer 200, or backing layer, interposed between the inner textile layer 100 and the outer textile layer 110.

[0059] The electronic portion comprises at least one electrode 300, here a prefrontal electrode, based on electrically conductive elastomer, stitched to the support layer 200.

[0060] Although in this example the electrode is stitched to the support layer 200, such a support layer 200 may be absent. The support layer 200 here makes it possible to reinforce the garment portion.

[0061] Similarly, the outer textile layer 110 is provided in this example to form, with the inner textile layer 100, two outer layers of a set of superimposed layers. Alternatively, the outer textile layer 110 is absent.

[0062] The outer textile layer 110 may be a textile piece that is distinct from the inner textile layer 100. Alternatively, the outer textile layer 110 and the inner textile layer 100 may be the same textile piece, folded onto itself to form the two aforementioned layers.

[0063] Alternatively, the electrode 300 may be stitched to another element of the garment portion, for example to a garment portion consisting solely of the inner textile layer 100.

[0064] Alternatively, the electrode 300 could be stitched to a garment portion comprising the inner textile layer 100 and at least one support layer 200, by a thread passing through both the inner textile layer 100 and said at least one support layer 200.

[0065] Alternatively, the electronic portion could comprise a plurality of electrodes 300, each electrode 300 being stitched to the inner textile layer 100 and/or to a support layer 200 dedicated to said electrode 300 and/or to a support layer 200 common to a plurality of electrodes 300.

[0066] The electrode 300 and the inner textile layer 100 are mutually arranged so that, when the device is worn by a person, at least part of the electrode 300 is kept in contact with the person, and more particularly, in the example shown, with the person's forehead.

[0067] In one embodiment, the inner textile layer 100 comprises an outer surface 101 facing the support layer 200 and an inner surface 102, opposite to the outer surface 101 of the inner textile layer 100, and configured to be in contact with a person's skin when the wearable device is worn by the person.

[0068] A hole may be made through the inner textile layer 100, the hole leading from the outer surface 101 of the inner textile layer 100 to the inner surface 102 of the inner textile layer 100.

[0069] In one embodiment, at least one sensor may be mounted in the hole. For example, such a sensor may be a pulse oximeter arranged so as to face the person's forehead when the device is worn, thus also making it possible to evaluate the person's blood oxygen saturation level.

[0070] In one embodiment, the electrode 300 may be mounted in the hole and arranged so as to comprise a contact portion 301 placed flush with or projecting from the inner surface 102 of the inner textile layer 100, so as to be held against the person when the device is worn, and an attachment portion 302 extending to the support layer 200, the attachment portion 302 being stitched to the support layer 200 by at least one thread passing through at least the attachment portion 302 and the support layer 200.

[0071] By this particular arrangement, the attachment portion 302, the support layer 200, and the stitching (the path of the thread) are internal to the device. The stitching is thus protected against wear.

[0072] In addition, as only the contact portion 301 is flush with or projecting from the inner surface 102 of the inner textile layer 100, the attachment portion 302 is inaccessible from outside the device, so that there is little risk of the electrode 300 being torn off.

[0073] In one embodiment, the hole is also made through the support layer 200. The attachment portion 302 is placed between the support layer 200 and the outer textile layer 110.

[0074] By this particular arrangement, the robustness of the attachment of the electrode 300 is reinforced. Indeed, the attachment portion 302 of the electrode bears against the periphery of the hole in the support layer 200 on the inner side, thus preventing its accidental extraction.

[0075] In one embodiment, at least one layer of foam 400 is also arranged between the support layer 200 and the at least one electrode 300 on the one hand, and the outer textile layer 110 on the other hand. In the embodiment represented in FIG. 1, two layers of foam 400 are superimposed.

[0076] When the device is worn by a person, such a layer of foam, being flexible and easily compressible, easily conforms to the person's morphology and contributes to holding the device in place as well as to providing the person with a sensation of comfort. In addition, the presence of foam facilitates adapting to different morphologies by its reversible deformation and elastic effect.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the wearable device is a headband in which the second part as represented in FIG. 2 is an occipital part.

[0078] According to this embodiment, the wearable device comprises, in the occipital part as represented in FIG. 2, a garment portion including the inner textile layer 100, the outer textile layer 110, and the support layer 200. The inner textile layer 100 is configured, in the occipital part, to be kept in contact with a person's skin when the wearable device is worn by the person. The inner textile layer 100 optionally forms, with the outer textile layer 110 opposite to the inner textile layer 100 and with the support layer 200 interposed between the inner textile layer 100 and the outer textile layer 110, a set of superimposed layers 700.

[0079] According to the embodiment represented in FIG. 2, the wearable device further comprises, on the occipital part: [0080] an electronic portion comprising at least one electrode 310, here an occipital electrode, based on electrically conductive elastomer, stitched to the inner textile layer 100, or to the set of superimposed layers 700, by at least one thread passing through the electrode 310 and, respectively, the inner textile layer 100 or the set of superimposed layers 700.

[0081] In one embodiment, the at least one electrode 310 comprises a base 320 stitched to the set of superposed layers 700 by said at least one thread passing through the set of superimposed layers 700, the base 320 comprising an outer surface 321 facing the inner textile layer 100 and an inner surface 322 opposite to the outer surface 321 of the base 320, and at least one tab 330 projecting from the inner surface 322 of the base 320.

[0082] By this particular arrangement, when the device is worn by a person, the electrode 310 is positioned entirely between the garment portion and the person.

[0083] In addition, the particular shape of the electrode is such that when the device is worn by a person, the at least one tab passes through the person's hair and is in contact with the person's skin, enabling good acquisition of an electrical signal coming from the person's body.

[0084] This particular arrangement associated with this particular form of electrode makes it possible to optimize the ratio between the weight of the electrode 310 and the surface area of the electrode 310 likely to come into contact with the person, relative to an embodiment in which the inner textile layer 100 is interposed between the person and at least part of the electrode 310 when the device is worn.

[0085] Thus, the acquisition by the electrode 310 of an electrical signal coming from the person's body is improved, while minimizing the weight of the electrode 310. This contributes to minimizing both the total weight of the device and the weight distribution within the device, therefore contributes to a comfortable and balanced wearing of the device.

[0086] In one embodiment, each layer of the set of superimposed layers 700 is of substantially uniform thickness. The set of superimposed layers 700 comprises a first part 710 in which the support layer 200 is directly attached to the inner textile layer 100, and a second part 720 in the extension of the first part 710. The second part 720 comprises a spacing layer 600 of a thickness substantially equal to the base 310 of the at least one electrode 300, arranged between the support layer 200 and the inner textile layer 100. The base 310 of the at least one electrode 300 extends only along the first part 710 of the set of superposed layers 700, so that the assembly consisting of the base 310 of the at least one electrode 300, the first part 710 of the set of superposed layers 700, and the second part 720 of the set of superposed layers 700, are of substantially uniform thickness along the device.

[0087] At least one securing layer 500 may be provided. An example of a securing layer 500 is a layer including an adhesive material, hooks, and/or textile loops.

[0088] According to this example, such a securing layer 500 is arranged against the outer surface 112 of the outer textile layer 110 or against the inner surface 102 of the inner textile layer 100. Thus the securing layer 500 makes it possible to maintain the garment portion mechanically in a position where it at least partially surrounds a person's limb.

[0089] Another example of a securing layer 500 may be a layer including an elastic material. According to this example, such a securing layer 500 forms one layer of the set of superimposed layers 700. For example, such a securing layer 500 may be interposed between the layers forming the second part 720 of the set of superimposed layers 700.

[0090] Such a securing layer 500 may be a layer dedicated to holding the garment portion in a position where it at least partially surrounds a person's limb. Alternatively, such a securing layer 500 may have an additional function. For example, the inner textile layer 100 and/or the support layer 200 may include an elastic material and thus also constitute securing layers 500.

[0091] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which represents a partial view of an electrode of a wearable device according to one embodiment.

[0092] The electrode 300, 310 may be electrically connected to an electronic processing circuit (not shown) via a cable 340 enabling the electrode 300, 310 to transmit one or more measurements captured over time, to a communication interface of the electronic processing circuit.

[0093] An example of such an electronic processing circuit comprises a processor connected to a memory and to at least one communication interface for at least one electrode 300, 310. The processing circuit is configured to carry out the steps of a method for acquiring, and optionally processing, at least one electrical signal captured by said at least one electrode.

[0094] In one embodiment, such an electronic processing circuit may be integrated into a unit connected mechanically and electrically in a removable manner, for example via the cable 340, to the electrode 300, 310.

[0095] In the example described here, the electrode 300, 310 comprises, formed in a surface of said electrode, a groove 330 arranged to at least partially house and guide the cable 340 along said surface.

[0096] The cable 340 is thus held/guided in a predetermined position.

[0097] The method of manufacturing the wearable device comprises in particular a step of stitching the electrode 300, 310 to the inner textile layer 100 or to a support layer 200 or to a set of superimposed layers 700 comprising at least the inner textile layer 100 and the support layer 200, by a thread passing through said layer or layers 100, 200.

[0098] The thread thus forms a plurality of loops 341, 342, 343 connecting the electrode 300, 310 to said layer(s) 100, 200.

[0099] During this stitching step, if the electrode 300, 310 was previously connected to a cable 340, it is necessary to ensure that the loops 341, 342, 343 and the stitching tools do not damage the cable.

[0100] To overcome this problem, one possibility is to rely on a positional reference marker, provided for example on a surface or an edge of the electrode 300, 310 for determining a planned position of said loops 341, 342, 343, then implementing the stitching step on the basis of the positions thus determined.

[0101] If the electrode 300, 310 comprises, in a surface of said electrode 300, 310, a groove 330 serving to guide the cable 340 along said surface, then the groove 330 is an example of such a positional reference marker.

[0102] It can thus be provided that the position of a loop 341 is determined so that said loop 341 spans the groove 330, further contributing to maintaining the cable 340 in a predetermined position, here within the groove 330.

[0103] This disclosure is not limited to the examples described above in support of FIGS. 1 to 3 presented solely as examples for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, but encompasses all variants conceivable to a person skilled in the art within the context of the protection sought.