BIOSENSING GARMENT AND METHOD

Abstract

A biosensing garment (100). The biosensing garment (100) comprises a garment (101). The biosensing garment (100) comprises an inner biosensing textile (200) disposed within the garment (101). The inner biosensing textile (200) comprises a textile panel (201). The inner biosensing textile comprises a biosensing unit (215) positioned on the textile panel (201) for measuring a biosignal of the wearer. A first region of the textile panel (201) is attached to the garment (101) such that the first region is unable to move relative to the garment (101). A second region of the textile panel (201) is able to move relative to the garment (101).

Claims

1. A biosensing garment comprising: a garment; and an inner biosensing textile disposed within the garment, the inner biosensing textile comprising: a textile panel; a biosensing unit positioned on the textile panel for measuring a biosignal of the wearer; and a holder arranged to releasably hold an electronic component, wherein a first region of the textile panel is attached to the garment such that the first region is unable to move relative to the garment, and wherein a second region of the textile panel is able to move relative to the garment.

2. The biosensing garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a first textile layer and a second textile layer, wherein the second textile layer is attached to the first textile layer to define an internal cavity for receiving the electronic component.

3. The biosensing garment as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first textile layer comprises a first surface that faces in to the internal cavity and a second surface that faces away from the internal cavity, and wherein the biosensing unit is positioned on the second surface.

4. The biosensing garment as claimed in claim 3, wherein the biosensing unit is conductively connected to the electronic component through the first textile layer.

5. The biosensing garment as claimed in claim 2, wherein the internal cavity is in the form of a pocket with an opening such that at least part of the electronic component may be accessed and/or removed.

6. The biosensing garment as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second textile layer is adhered or welded to the first textile layer.

7. The biosensing garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic component comprises one or more of a power source, a controller, and a communicator for communicating with an external device.

8. The biosensing garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the textile panel is shaped to position the biosensing unit away from the garment such that, when worn, the biosensing unit is positioned on or near the body surface.

9. The biosensing garment as claimed in claim 8, wherein the textile panel comprises a dart, wherein the dart acts to shape the textile such that the biosensing unit is positioned away from the garment.

10. The biosensing garment as claimed in claim 8, wherein the textile panel comprises a seam, wherein the seam acts to shape the textile such that the biosensing unit is positioned away from the garment.

11. The biosensing garment as claimed in any of claim 8, wherein the biosensing textile comprises a weight for urging the textile panel down and towards a wearer of the garment.

12. The biosensing garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biosensing textile comprises a gripper section, wherein the gripper section is provided on the underside surface of the biosensing textile and is arranged to grip the biosensing textile to a skin surface of a wearer of the garment.

13. The biosensing garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the textile panel is bias cut.

14. (canceled)

15. A method of manufacturing a garment, comprising: providing a garment; providing an inner biosensing textile, the inner biosensing textile comprising: a textile panel; a biosensing unit positioned on the textile panel for measuring a biosignal of a wearer; and a holder arranged to releasably hold an electronic component; disposing the inner biosensing textile within the garment; attaching a first region of the textile panel to the garment such that the first region is unable to move relative to the garment, and wherein a second region of the textile panel is able to move relative to the garment.

16. A biosensing garment comprising: a garment; and an inner biosensing textile disposed within the garment, the inner biosensing textile comprising: a textile panel forming a pocket having an internal cavity, the pocket having an opening sized such that an electronic component is able to be inserted into and removed from the internal cavity of the pocket; a biosensing unit positioned on the textile panel for measuring a biosignal of the wearer; and a gripper section, wherein the gripper section is provided on the underside surface of the pocket that faces a skin surface of a wearer of the garment and is arranged to grip the biosensing textile to the skin surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] Examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0080] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an example garment according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0081] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the garment shown in FIG. 1;

[0082] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an example biosensing textile provided in the garment shown in FIG. 1;

[0083] FIG. 4 shows a front sectional view of another example garment according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0084] FIG. 5 shows a rear sectional view of the garment shown in FIG. 4;

[0085] FIG. 6 shows a front sectional view of another example garment according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0086] FIG. 7 shows a rear sectional view of the garment shown in FIG. 6;

[0087] FIG. 8 shows a side sectional view of the garment shown in FIG. 6;

[0088] FIG. 9 shows a front sectional view of another example garment according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0089] FIG. 10 shows a side sectional view of the garment shown in FIG. 9;

[0090] FIG. 11 shows a front view of an example garment according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0091] FIG. 12 shows a view of an underside surface of an example biosensing textile according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0092] FIG. 13 shows an internal surface of a pocket of the biosensing textile of FIG. 12

[0093] FIG. 14 shows an external view of a pocket of the biosensing textile of FIG. 12;

[0094] FIG. 15 shows a flow diagram of an example method of manufacturing a biosensing garment according to aspects of the present disclosure; and

[0095] FIG. 16 shows a flow diagram of an example method of manufacturing a biosensing textile according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0096] FIG. 17 shows a flow diagram of another example method of manufacturing a biosensing textile according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0097] FIG. 18 shows a front view of an example garment according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0098] FIG. 19 shows a rear view of the garment shown in FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0099] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0100] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0101] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an example biosensing garment 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The biosensing garment 100 comprises a garment 101 in the form of a T-shirt 101. The T-shirt 101 comprises a main body 103, a left sleeve 105, a right sleeve 107 and a collar 109. The T-shirt 100 is a free-form garment. By this it is meant that the T-shirt 100 is loose, not skin-tight, and not a compression garment.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a sectional view of the biosensing garment 100 according to FIG. 1. The sectional view shows that the biosensing garment 100 comprises an inner biosensing textile 200 disposed within the garment 101. The inner biosensing textile 200 is not visible from the outside of the garment 101 and thus does not or does not significantly affect the external appearance of the garment 101.

[0104] The biosensing textile 200 comprises a textile panel 201. A first end region 203 of the panel 201 is attached to the garment 101 while the remaining portions of the panel 201 are not attached to the garment 101. This means that while the first end region 203 of the panel 201 is not able to move relative to the garment 101, the remaining regions of the panel 201 are able to move relative to the garment 101. The biosensing textile 200 is able to move freely relative to the garment 101. The panel 201 does not pull on the garment 101 when the wearer moves. This means that the panel 201 does not limit the wearer's mobility and does not affect the outward appearance of the garment 100.

[0105] The garment 100 comprises an aperture 113 (FIG. 1) through which a power source 221 of the inner biosensing textile 200 (FIG. 2) is visible. The aperture 113 is sized to receive the power source 221 such that the power source is accessible via the outside surface of the garment 100. The power source 221 may be removable from the textile panel. 291 The textile panel 201 (FIG. 2) may comprise a holder for receiving the power source 221. The power source 221 may snap in/out of the holder or may clip in/out of the holder. The power source 221 may visually indicate the status of the power source 221 such as by indicating the amount of charge remaining for the power source 221. The power source 221 may comprise one or more light sources for indicating the status of the power source 221.

[0106] In the example of FIG. 2, the first end region 203 is the top end region 203 of the panel 201 that is attached to the shoulder region 111 and part of the collar region 109 of the garment 101. The remaining portions of the panel 201 are not connected to the garment 101. In this example, the bottom end region 209 and the side regions 211, 213 are free ends, i.e. they are not attached to the garment 101. Beneficially, this means that the panel 201 is attached to the garment 101 at positions corresponding to the shoulder region of the wearer. The shoulder region of the wearer is generally subject to little to no motion even during strenuous exercise. As such, the attachment of the panel 201 to the garment 101 causes little or no pull on the garment 101 even during motion of the wearer.

[0107] The panel 201 comprises a plurality of biosensing units 215, 217 in the form of electrodes 215, 217 that are incorporated onto the panel 201. All of the below examples refer to biosensing units 215, 217 in the form of electrodes 215, 217 but the present invention is not limited to this example arrangement. Other forms of biosensing unit 215, 217 are within the scope of the present invention.

[0108] The plurality of electrodes 215, 217 are located on an inner surface of the textile panel 201 away from the garment 101 and facing the body surface, when worn. A first of the electrodes 215 is located at a central upper chest region of the panel 201. The “central upper chest region” will be understood as referring to a region which, when worn, corresponds to a central upper chest region of the wearer. Beneficially, when provided in this position, the weight of the electrode 215 causes the panel 201 to hang downwards and urge the first of the electrodes 215 towards the body surface. In this way, the attachment of the panel 201 to the garment 101 causes the electrode 215 to be positioned towards or near the body surface so that the electrode 215 may measure biosignals of the wearer.

[0109] A second of the electrodes 217 is located at a lower left chest region of the panel 201. The “lower left chest region” will be understood as referring to a region which, when worn, corresponds to a lower left chest region of the wearer which is proximate to a cardiac region of the wearer. The panel 201 is shaped to position the second of the electrodes 217 away from the garment 101. In this way, when worn, the second electrode 217 is positioned on or near the body surface. The shaping of the panel 201 is achieved through use of a dart 219 in the panel 201. The dart 219 will be understood as referring to a fold that is sewn or otherwise introduced into the panel 201 to provide the shape to the panel 201. The panel 201 may be thought of as having a flat, planar, surface. The dart 219 has the effect of removing a wedge-shaped piece of the panel 201 and pulling the edges of that wedge together to create a shallow cone. In this way, the dart 219 urges the electrode 217 away from the main planar surface of the panel 201.

[0110] The dart 219 is not required in all examples of the present disclosure, and instead other structures or features of the panel 201 may be used to provide the desired shape to the panel 201 to position the second of the electrodes 217 away from the garment 101. For example, a seam, pleat, or gather in the panel 201 may be used to provide the same effect as the dart 219.

[0111] The panel 201 may be bias cut. This means that that a piece of textile forming the panel 201 is cut diagonally or obliquely to the grain of the textile. Being cut on the bias means that the panel 201 has more give when compared to textiles cut along the straight grain or cross grain so as to accommodate movement. Being bias cut means that the panel 201 will drape in a way which contours to the shape of the body surface. This helps maintain the electrodes 215, 217 in a position which is near or in contact with the body surface.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a detailed view of the biosensing textile 200 shown in FIG. 2. The biosensing textile 200 comprises a first electrode 215 and second electrode 217. The electrodes 215, 217 are both included in separate sensor housings which additionally include controllers for controlling the electrodes 215, 217. That is, a first controller for controlling the first electrode 215 and a second controller for controlling the second electrode 217 are provided. The textile panel 201 is shaped to urge the electrode 217 away from a major surface of the textile panel 201 and in particular comprises a dart 219. In this way, the textile panel 201 is shaped to position the electrode 217 toward the body surface when worn.

[0113] The first electrode 215 may act as a reference electrode 215. The first controller may act as a reference controller. The second electrode 217 may act as a measuring electrode 217. The second controller may act as a measuring controller. That is, one of the first and second electrodes 215, 217 may be controlled to act as a reference during biopotential and/or bioimpedance measurements. The first electrode 101 and second electrode 105 may be conventional metallic electrodes such as silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes.

[0114] The first controller and the second controller are able to stimulate the body, such as by injecting a current into the body via the electrode(s) 215, 217 for performing an impedance measurement. The first controller and the second controller are also able to measure a physiological signal of the body, such as an ECG, by measuring a potential via the electrode(s) 215, 217. The first electrode 215 and the second electrode 217 may both comprise a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact which are spaced apart from another. The first and second electrical contacts may be arranged as concentric rings, for example. The potential may be measured between the electrical contacts of the first electrode 215 and/or the second electrode 217.

[0115] The biosensing textile 200 further comprises a communicator 223. The communicator 223 transmits biodata recorded by the electrodes 215, 217 and optionally processed by the first/second controller wirelessly to an external device. In some examples of the present disclosure, the communicator 223 is a cellular communicator 223 operable to communicate the biometric data wirelessly with an external server via one or more base stations.

[0116] The communicator 223 is conductively connected to the second controller by a conductor 231. The communicator 223 in this example is shown at a position which is spaced apart from the first and second electrodes 215, 217 at a position close to the end region 203 of the textile panel 201. In some examples, the communicator 223 may be incorporated with one of the controllers or the electrodes 215, 217. The first electrode 215 and/or first controller are conductively connected to the second electrode 217 and/or second controller via a conductor 225.

[0117] The textile panel 201 further comprises a power source 221 for powering the first controller and the second controller. The power source 221 may be a battery 221. The power source 221 is conductively connected to the first controller by a conductor 227. The power source 221 is conductively connected to the second controller by a conductor 229. The power source 221 is conductively connected to the communicator 223 by a conductor 233. In other examples, a separate power source is provided for each of the controllers. That is, a first power source may be provided for powering the first controller and a second power source may be provided for powering the second controller.

[0118] The conductors 225, 227, 229, 231, 233 are, in this example, formed of a graphene or a graphene-derivative and are printed onto the textile 200 using a screen-printing process. Other printing processes may be used. In some examples, the conductor 225, 227, 229, 231, 233 may be a conductive transfer. The conductive transfer may comprise graphene.

[0119] It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to screen printing conductors onto a textile or the use of conductive transfers. In other examples, the conductors may be incorporated into one or more fibres of the textile.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a front sectional view of another example biosensing garment 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The sectional view shows that the biosensing garment 100 comprises garment 101 and an inner biosensing textile 200 disposed within the garment 101. The inner biosensing textile 200 is not visible from the outside of the garment 101 and thus does not or does not significantly affect the external appearance of the garment 101.

[0121] The inner biosensing textile 200 comprises a first panel 201a. A first end region 203 of the first panel 201a is attached to the garment 101 while the remaining portions of the first panel 201a are not attached to the garment 101. This means that while the first end region 203a of the panel 201a is not able to move relative to the garment 101, the remaining regions of the panel 201a are able to move relative to the garment 101

[0122] In the example of FIG. 4, the first end region 203a is the top end region 203a of the panel 201a that is attached to the shoulder region 111 of the garment 101. The remaining portions of the first panel 201a are not connected to the garment 101 and are able to move freely relative to the garment 101.

[0123] The end region 203 of the inner biosensing textile 200 is attached to the shoulder region of the garment 101 using a twin needle top stitch that is provided either side of the seam of the garment. The shoulder of the garment 101 which is not attached to the inner biosensing textile 200 is provided with the same or similar twin needle top stitch to even out the visual appearance of the garment.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a rear sectional view of the biosensing garment 100 of FIG. 4. The sectional view shows that the inner biosensing textile 200 further comprises a second panel 201b. A first end region 203b of the second panel 201b is attached to the garment 101 at the shoulder region 111. The opposite end region of the second panel 201b is attached to the first panel 201a. In this way, the first panel 201a and the second panel 201b are joined together to define a loop or U-shaped band within the garment 101 that defines an aperture for receiving an upper appendage (e.g. an arm) of the wearer.

[0125] The first and second panels 201a, 201b may be attached to another by stiches, staples or adhesive for example. In some examples, the first and second panels 201a, 201b are integrally formed from a single unitary piece of textile.

[0126] The biosensing textile 200 comprises a plurality of electrodes 215, 217 that are incorporated onto the panels 201a, 201b. A first of the electrodes 215 is located at a lower left chest region of the second panel 201b (FIG. 5). The second panel 201b is shaped to position the first of the electrodes 215 away from the garment 101 and towards the body surface. In this way, when worn, the first electrode 215 is positioned on or near the body surface. The shaping of the second panel 201b is achieved through use of a dart 219b in the second panel 201b. A second of the electrodes 217 is located at the lower left chest region of the first panel 201a (FIG. 4). The first panel 201a is shaped to position the second electrode 217 away from the garment 101 and towards the body surface. In this way, when worn, the second electrode 217 is positioned on or near the body surface. The shaping of the first panel 201a is achieved through use of a dart 219a in the first panel 201a.

[0127] The first electrode 215 is provided with a first controller in a sensor housing. The second electrode 217 is provided with a second controller in a sensor housing.

[0128] The biosensing textile 200 further comprises a communicator 223. The communicator 223 is provided on the first panel 201a in this example. The communicator 223 is conductively connected to the second controller by a conductor 231.

[0129] The communicator 223 in this example is shown at a position which is spaced apart from the first and second electrodes 215, 217 at a position close to the end region 203a of the first panel 201a. The first electrode 215 and/or first controller are conductively connected to the second electrode 217 and/or second controller via a conductor 225 that extends between the first panel 201a and the second panel 201b.

[0130] The first panel 201a further comprises a power source 221 for powering the first controller and the second controller. The power source 221 is conductively connected to the first controller by a conductor 227. The power source 221 is conductively connected to the second controller by a conductor 229. The power source 221 is conductively connected to the communicator 223 by a conductor 233.

[0131] In other examples, a separate power source is provided for each of the controllers. That is, a first power source may be provided for powering the first controller and a second power source may be provided for powering the second controller.

[0132] The conductors 225, 227, 229, 231, 233 are also formed of a graphene or a graphene-derivative and are printed onto the textile 200 using a screen-printing process. Other printing processes may be used. In some examples, the conductor 225, 227, 229, 231, 233 may be a conductive transfer. The conductive transfer may comprise graphene.

[0133] The first panel 201a and the second panel 201b may be bias cut. This means that that a piece of textile forming the panel 201a, 201b is cut diagonally or obliquely to the grain of the textile. Being cut on the bias means that the panel 201a, 201b has more give when compared to textiles cut along the straight grain or cross grain so as to accommodate movement. Being bias cut means that the panel 201a, 201b will drape in a way which contours to the shape of the body surface. This helps maintain the electrodes 215, 217 in a position which is near or in contact with the body surface.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a front sectional view of another example biosensing garment 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The sectional view shows that the biosensing garment 100 comprises an inner biosensing textile 200 disposed within the garment 101. The inner biosensing textile 200 is not visible from the outside of the garment 101 and thus does not or does not significantly affect the external appearance of the garment 101.

[0135] The inner biosensing textile 200 comprises a first panel 201a. A first end region 203 of the first panel 201a is attached to the garment 101 while the remaining portions of the first panel 201 are not attached to the garment 101. This means that while the first end region 203a of the panel 201a is not able to move relative to the garment 101, the remaining regions of the garment panel 201a are able to move relative to the garment 101. In the example of FIG. 6, the first end region 203a is the top end region 203a of the panel 201a that is attached to the shoulder region 111 of the garment 101. The remaining portions of the first panel 201a are not connected to the garment 101.

[0136] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a rear sectional view of the biosensing garment 100 of FIG. 6. The sectional view shows that the inner biosensing textile 200 further comprises a second panel 201b. A first end region 203b of the second panel 201b is attached to the garment 101 at the shoulder region 111. The opposite end region of the second panel 201b is attached to the first panel 201a and in this example is integrally formed with the first panel 201a. That is the first panel 201a and the second panel 201b form a single, integral structure. In this way, the first panel 201a and the second panel 201b are joined together to define a loop U-shaped band within the garment 101 that defines an aperture for receiving an upper appendage (e.g. an arm) of the wearer.

[0137] The biosensing textile 200 comprises a plurality of electrodes 215, 217 that are incorporated onto the panels 201a, 201b. A first of the electrodes 215 is located at a lower left chest region of the second panel 201b (FIG. 7). The second panel 201b is shaped to position the first of the electrodes 215 away from the garment 101 and towards the body surface. In this way, when worn, the first electrode 215 is positioned on or near the body surface. The shaping of the second panel 201b is achieved through use of a dart 219b in the second panel 201b. A second of the electrodes 217 is located at the lower left chest region of the first panel 201a (FIG. 7). The first panel 201a is shaped to position the second electrode 217 away from the garment 101 and towards the body surface. In this way, when worn, the second electrode 217 is positioned on or near the body surface. The shaping of the first panel 201a is achieved through use of a dart 219a in the first panel 201a.

[0138] In this example, a single controller 235 is provided for controlling the first electrode 215 and the second electrode 217. The single controller 235 is separated from the first electrode 215 and the second electrode 217.

[0139] Importantly, in the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first electrode 215 is located at a first position on the textile 200. The second electrode 217 is located at a second position on the textile 200. The first position is spaced apart from the second position. Moreover, the controller 235 is located at a third position on the textile 200. The third position is spaced apart from the first position, second position, and third position. In this way, the electrodes 215, 217 are spaced apart from one another and from the controller 235. Beneficially, distributing the components on the textile 200 such as by separating the electrodes 215, 217 and controller 235 and separating the electrodes 215, 217 from the controller 235 can reduce the apparent footprint of the components on the textile 200. Existing solutions provide the electrodes, controllers, and power sources as integrated units within a housing that this then attached to the textile. This integrated units are bulky and protrude outward from the textile. This may make the resultant garments uncomfortable to wear and unattractive.

[0140] The biosensing textile 200 further comprises a communicator 223. The communicator 223 is provided within the controller 235 in this example. The biosensing textile 200 further comprises a power source 221 for powering the controller 235. The power source 221 is conductively connected to the controller 235.

[0141] The conductors connecting the controller 235 to the electrodes 215, 217, and the controller 235 to the power source 221 may be formed of a graphene or a graphene-derivative and are printed onto the textile 200 using a screen-printing process. Other printing processes may be used. In some examples, the conductors may be formed of a conductive transfer. The conductive transfer may comprise graphene.

[0142] The first panel 201a and the second panel 201b may be bias cut. This means that that a piece of textile forming the panel 201a, 201b is cut diagonally or obliquely to the grain of the textile. Being cut on the bias means that the panel 201a, 201b has more give when compared to textiles cut along the straight grain or cross grain so as to accommodate movement. Being bias cut means that the panel 201a, 201b will drape in a way which contours to the shape of the body surface. This helps maintain the electrodes 215, 217 in a position which is near or in contact with the body surface.

[0143] The end region 203 of the inner biosensing textile 200 is attached to the shoulder region of the garment 101 using a twin needle top stitch that is provided either side of the seam of the garment. The shoulder of the garment 101 which is not attached to the inner biosensing textile (200) is provided with the same or similar twin needle top stitch to even out the visual appearance of the garment.

[0144] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a side view of the biosensing garment 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Here, it can be seen that the first panel 201a and the second panel 201b are formed from a single unitary piece of textile material.

[0145] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown a front sectional view and side sectional view of another example biosensing garment 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure The first electrode 215 and the second electrode 217 are incorporated onto the textile 200. Being “incorporated” onto the textile 200 may mean that the electrodes 215, 217 are printed onto the textile 200 or are formed from one or more fibres or yarns of the textile 200 such as by coating the fibres or yarns of the textile 200 with an electrically conductive material. Importantly still, the first and second electrodes 215, 217 in the example of FIGS. 9 and 10 are formed of a 2D electrically conductive material. In the example of FIGS. 9 and 10, this material is a graphene or graphene-derivative which is screen printed onto the textile 200. The combination of the electrodes 215, 217 being integrated into the textile 200 and formed of a 2D electrically conductive material means that the electrodes 215, 217 have a minimal footprint on the textile 200. This means that the impact of the sensing system 100 on the textile 200 is minimised. The textile 200 is more comfortable when worn as there are no or only minimal bulky electronics components.

[0146] The textile panels 201a, 201b comprise seams 237a, 237b for positioning the electrodes 215, 217 towards the body surface.

[0147] The inner biosensing textile 200 further comprises a fastener 239 in the form of a loose tacking loop that loosely attaches the biosensing textile 200 to the garment 101. The fastener 239 still allows the biosensing textile 200 to move freely relative to the garment 101.

[0148] The textile panel 201a comprises a first textile layer 241a. The electrode 217 is provided on the underside surface (second surface) of the first textile layer 241a such that the electrode 217 is proximate to the skin of the wearer. The textile panel 201b comprises a first textile layer 241b. The electrode 215 is provided on the underside surface (second surface) of the first textile layer 241b such that the electrode 215 is proximate to the skin of the wearer. The ends 203 of the first textile layers 241a, 241b are attached to the shoulder region of the garment 101. The other ends of the first textile layers 241a, 241b are attached together. The controller 235 and power source 221 are provided on the first surface of the first textile layers 241a, 241b opposite to the second surface of the first textile layers 241a, 241b. Conductive connections extend through the first textile layers 241a, 241b to conductively connect the controller 235 and power source 221 to the electrodes 215, 217. A second textile layer 243 is provided on top of the first surface of the first textile layers 241a, 241b and attached at the edges of the first textile layers 241a, 241b to define an internal cavity (pocket) in which the controller 235 and power source 221 are provided. The edges of the second textile layer 243 running parallel to the seams 237a, 237b are not attached to the first textile layer 241a, 241b. This provides openings via which the controller 235 and power source 221 may be accessed.

[0149] In other examples, all of the edges of the second textile layer 243 are joined to the first textile layers 241a, 241b to form an enclosed space in which the electronic components are provided. This helps protect against water ingress especially if the first and second textile layers are constructed from a waterproof material.

[0150] In an example method of manufacture, the electrodes 215, 217 are attached to the second surface of the first textile layers 241a, 241b. The electronic component is positioned on the first surface of the first textile layers 241a, 241b and the electrical connection connecting the electrodes 215, 217 to the controller 235 are formed. The first textile layer 241a, 241b is then sewn to the second textile layer 243 inside out. The textile layers 241a, 241b, 243 are then inverted to be the right way out. This process is known as bagging out.

[0151] The end region 203 of the inner biosensing textile 200 is attached to the shoulder region of the garment 101 using a twin needle top stitch that is provided either side of the seam of the garment. The shoulder of the garment 101 which is not attached to the inner biosensing textile is provided with the same or similar twin needle top stitch to even out the visual appearance of the garment.

[0152] The other components of the garment 100 are the same as the garment 100 of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.

[0153] Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown another example biosensing garment 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The biosensing garment 100 comprises a garment 101 in the form of a T-shirt 101. The inner biosensing textile 200 is in the form of a sash that extends across the chest of the wearer. The inner biosensing textile 200 is therefore an over-the-shoulder sash 200.

[0154] The inner biosensing textile 200 comprises a first panel 201a (FIG. 12) located on the front side of the wearer and a second panel 201b (FIG. 13) located on the rear side of the wearer. The first panel 201a and the second panel 201b are connected to the garment 101 at an end region 203. The remaining portions of the inner biosensing textile 200 are not attached to the garment 101 and are free to move relative to the garment 101. The inner biosensing textile 200 further comprises a fastener 239 in the form of a loose tacking loop that loosely attaches the biosensing textile 200 to the garment 101. The fastener 239 still allows the biosensing textile 200 to move freely relative to the garment 101.

[0155] The first panel 201a and the second panel 201b comprise first sections formed of a raw edge mesh material and a second edge formed of a woven material. The raw edge (i.e. no seam) is beneficial in minimizing the effect of the inner biosensing textile 200 on the outward visual appearance of the garment 101. The mesh material is joined to the woven material by seams 237a, 237b.

[0156] The sash 200 naturally hangs due to gravity in a way that urges the electrodes 215, 217 towards the body surface. The seams 237a, 237b are provided to further aid in urging the electrodes 215, 217 towards the body surface.

[0157] The first panel 201a and the second panel 201b further comprise an internal cavity (pocket) formed by first textile layers 241a, 241b and second textile layer 243 in which the controller 235, and power source 221 are provided.

[0158] The end region 203 of the inner biosensing textile 200 is attached to the shoulder region of the garment 101 using a twin needle top stitch that is provided either side of the seam of the garment. The shoulder of the garment 101 which is not attached to the inner biosensing textile 200 is provided with the same or similar twin needle top stitch to even out the visual appearance of the garment.

[0159] Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a side view of the biosensing textile 200 of FIG. 11. The view in FIG. 12 shows the underside surface (second surface) of the biosensing textile 200 that faces then skin of the wearer when worn. In FIG. 12, it can be seen that the electrodes 215, 217 are provided on the underside surface 249 of the pocket that faces the skin surface along with the conductive tracking that connects the electrodes 215, 217 to the controller 235 (FIG. 13) and the power source 221 (FIG. 13) to the controller 235. In other words, the electrodes 215, 217 and the conductive tracking are provided on the internal surface of the first textile layers 241a, 241b that face the skin surface. The underside surface 249 of the pocket further comprises gripper sections 251 in the form of silicone tape 251 that help hold and maintain the electrodes 215, 217 near or in contact with the skin surface of the wearer. The underside surface 249 of the pocket is made from a woven material while the remaining sections of the first textile layers 241a, 241b are made from a mesh material.

[0160] Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown the internal surface (first surface) 253 of the pocket. That is, the surface 253 of the first textile layers 241a, 241b that is covered by the second textile layer 243 (FIG. 15) to form the internal cavity. FIG. 13 shows that the controller 235 and the power source 221 are provided on the internal surface 253 of the pocket and are therefore disposed within the internal cavity of the pocket. Conductive connections extend through the first textile layers 241a, 241b to conductively connect the components provided on either side of the textile layer. The internal surface 253 further comprises a weight 255 that is stitched or otherwise fixed in position in the pocket. The weight 255 helps to urge the electrodes 215, 217 (FIG. 12) towards or in contact with the skin surface of the wearer.

[0161] Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown an outer surface of the pocket formed by the second textile layer 243. The second textile layer 243 is attached to the first textile layers 241a, 241b around the edges. In some examples, the second textile layer 243 is not joined to the first textile layers 241a, 241b at the ends 257, 259 so that access openings are provided to allow for the power source 221 and or controller 235 to be accessed.

[0162] Referring to FIG. 15, there is shown an example method of manufacturing a biosensing garment according to aspects of the present disclosure. Step 301 of the method comprises providing a garment. Step 302 of the method comprises providing an inner biosensing textile. Step 303 of the method comprises disposing the inner biosensing textile within the garment. Step 304 of the method comprises attaching the textile panel to the garment.

[0163] Referring to FIG. 16, there is shown an example method of manufacturing a biosensing textile according to aspects of the present disclosure. Step 401 of the method comprises providing a textile panel. Step 402 of the method comprises shaping the textile panel to urge biosensing unit away from the planar surface of the textile panel.

[0164] Referring to FIG. 17, there is shown an example method of manufacturing a biosensing textile according to aspects of the present disclosure. Step 501 of the method comprises providing a first textile layer and a second textile layer. Step 502 of the method comprises attaching the first textile layer to the second textile layer to define an internal cavity.

[0165] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, there is shown a front view (FIG. 18) and a rear view (FIG. 19) of another biosensing garment 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The biosensing garment 100 comprises a garment 101 in the form of a T-shirt 101. The inner biosensing textile 200 is in the form of a crop that covers the front and back upper chest regions of the wearer. The inner biosensing textile 200 is attached to the garment 101 at the two shoulder regions 203a, 203b of the garment using a twin needle top stitch. Two fasteners 239a, 239b are also provided to loosely fasten the lower edge of the biosensing textile 200 to the garment 101. The fasteners 239a, 239b are in the form of loose tacking loops. The fasteners 239a, 239b still allow the biosensing textile 200 to move freely relative to the garment 101.

[0166] The biosensing textile 200 comprises a front panel 201a and a back panel 201b. The front panel 201a is arranged to cover the front upper half of the chest when worn. The back panel 201b is arranged to cover the back upper half of the chest when worn. The front panel 201a and the back panel 201b are attached to one another and define armholes through which the arms may pass through when worn.

[0167] The biosensing textile 200 comprises a pocket 243 arranged to house electronic components and in particular houses the controller 235 and power source 221. The pocket 243 is formed by a first textile layer and a second textile layer positioned adjacent to and external to the first textile layer. The electrodes 215, 217 are provided on the underside surface of the first textile such that they are arranged to be positioned proximate to or in contact with the skin surface of the wearer when worn.

[0168] The front panel 201a and the back panel 201b are formed of a raw edge mesh material. The first and second textile layers formed the pocket 243 are made of a woven textile material. The woven textile material in this example is cut on the grain. The biosensing textile 200 in the form of a crop provides a tighter fit that then outer garment 101 so as to help hold the biosensing unit(s) in close proximity/skin contact with the skin surface of the wearer. Other features of the garment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 may be the same as the example garments described above.

[0169] At least some of the example embodiments described herein may be constructed, partially or wholly, using dedicated special-purpose hardware. Terms such as ‘component’, ‘module’ or ‘unit’ used herein may include, but are not limited to, a hardware device, such as circuitry in the form of discrete or integrated components, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which performs certain tasks or provides the associated functionality. In some embodiments, the described elements may be configured to reside on a tangible, persistent, addressable storage medium and may be configured to execute on one or more processors. These functional elements may in some embodiments include, by way of example, components, such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. Although the example embodiments have been described with reference to the components, modules and units discussed herein, such functional elements may be combined into fewer elements or separated into additional elements. Various combinations of optional features have been described herein, and it will be appreciated that described features may be combined in any suitable combination. In particular, the features of any one example embodiment may be combined with features of any other embodiment, as appropriate, except where such combinations are mutually exclusive. Throughout this specification, the term “comprising” or “comprises” means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of others.

[0170] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0171] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0172] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.