Wearable Health Monitoring Textile Band with Direct Inkjet-Printed Electronic Island

This study investigates an innovative technique for seamlessly integrating electronics and sensors into textiles using additive manufacturing methods, specifically inkjet printing and conductive embroidery. These integrated electronic modules are intended to monitor respiratory rates using an embroidered strain gauge, and measure heart rates and oxygen saturation with an optical sensor, respectively. Additional islands carry a power module, a computational unit, an RFID antenna for communication and data transfer, and an OLED indicator showing battery status. All electronic islands are powered by a removable battery, which is stored in a knitted pocket on the textile belt. The electrical connection between the electronic is-lands is established with eight parallel propagating conductive embroidered tracks.