Wearable E-Textile and CNT Sensor Wireless Measurement System for Real-Time Penile Erection Monitoring

Erection measurements are the most important indicator of male urological disease diagnosis, treatment, and results. Rigiscan has been used widely in studies and diagnoses for nocturnal penile tumescence for evaluating erectile dysfunction by measuring the number and timing of erectile dysfunctions during sleep. However, this device has limitations such as the weight and bulk of the device and has been questioned for its role as a standard for ED Erectile Dysfunction (ED) diagnosis. In this study, we propose a real-time wearable monitoring system that can quantitatively measure the length and circumference of the penis using electronic textiles (E-textile) and carbon nanotube (CNT) sensors. The E-textile sensor is used to measure the length, circumference, and gradient with portability, convenience, and comfort. Sensors were created by coating CNTs on latex for flexibility. The CNT-based latex condom-type sensor in our proposed system shows the length, circumference, and curvature measurements with changes in resistance, and the E-textile performance shows a 1.44% error rate and a cavity radius of 110 to 300. The results of this conceptual study are for supplementary sensor development with a combination of new technologies with alternatives or existing methods for measuring erection function.

Textile Monopole Sensors for Breast Cancer Detection

This paper investigate different available breast cancer imaging methods, particularly microwave imaging techniques (MI). The building block of a radar-based microwave imaging system using a flexible antenna element that could be integrated in a clothing item. It could be accessible to women everywhere easily and at an affordable price which will help them with early breast cancer detection. Two different flexible monopole antennas on a cotton substrate are designed for radar-based microwave imaging. The ultra-wideband (UWB) fully textile sensor shaped as rectangular and circular monopole antenna for breast cancer detection (BCD) are designed. The antenna operates at impedance bandwidth \(\le\)-10dB in the operating band extend from 2.5 to 9 GHz with an overall footprint of 50 × 50 mm2. Simulated detection and bending capacity then proceeded to fabricate a breast phantom and a tumor sample with parameters that mimic these of the human breast’s healthy and malignant tissue. Measurements highly match with the simulation results as well as the performance of antenna before and after subjected to washing is measured and compared. Moreover, simulations of antenna in proximity to breast model with and without tumor are also conducted. Finally the specific absorption rate (SAR) is also calculated to insure that the developed textile sensor is safe to be deployed on-body. The proposed work demonstrates the potential to develop wearable microwave imaging system using fully textile antennas.

The effect of washing on the electrical performance of knitted textile strain sensors for quantifying joint motion

Successful market penetration of textile-based strain sensors requires long-term reliability which in turn relies on the washability of the sensor. First, this paper presents an evaluation of the effect of 5 washing cycles on the electrical performance of a knitted conductive transducer, over 1500 cycles of repetitive elongation. The promising behaviour of the textile sensor in this study showed that it might be possible to make a smart garment, capable of quantifying elbow flexion-extension motion, by integrating it into an elbow sleeve. Second, a prototype sleeve, incorporating a knitted sensor (the so-called smart sleeve), was tested in a simulated training/clinical setting by performing 50 flexion-extension cycles after 1, 5, 15, 25, 50 and 75 washes. In both studies, the electrical resistance of the sensor increased with the number of washes in a predictable manner and exhibited a repeatable, reliable and prompt response to elongation. In particular, the electrical pattern representing flexion-extension motion measured using the sleeve was clear and distinguishable up to the 75th wash. Moreover, resistance measurements within the same trial were repeatable at maximum flexion (≤2% variation) and at maximum extension (≤3% variation) and predictable with increasing washes (R2 = 0.992 at maximum flexion and R2 = 0.989 at maximum extension). The good washability of the smart sleeve, evidenced by its ability to detect, distinguish and measure parameters of flexion-extension motion up to 75 washes, makes it a suitable and sustainable choice for applications, such as strength conditioning or rehabilitation, where repetition count and speed are useful.

An Alternative Method to Develop Embroidery Textile Strain Sensors

In this paper, a method to develop embroidered textile strain resistive sensors is presented. The method is based on two overlapped zigzag conductive yarn patterns embroidered in an elastic textile. To demonstrate the functionality of the proposed configuration, a textile sensor embroidered with a conductor yarn composed of 99% pure silver-plated nylon yarn 140/17 dtex has been experimentally characterised for an elongation range from 0% to 65%. In order to show the sensor applicability, a second test with the sensor embroidered in a knee-pad has been done to evaluate the flexion knee angle from 180° to 300°. The experimental results show the usefulness of the proposed method to develop fabric strain sensors that can help to manufacture commercial applications on the healthcare sector.

Synthesis of red fluorescent dye with acid gas sensitive optical properties and fabrication of a washable and wearable textile sensor

Two halochromic red fluorescent dyes, whose chromophores are the same as Nile red, were synthesized by introducing dibutyl- and dihexyl-substituents for improving their affinity toward chemically resistant and hydrophobic fibers made of high molecular weight polyethylene. The optical properties of the two synthesized dyes (Dibutyl NR, Dihexyl NR) compared with Ethyl NR (Nile red), such as the maximum absorption, Stokes shift, molar absorption coefficient, and quantum yield, were almost the same. However, the most hydrophobic Dihexyl NR exhibited the best washability of the three dyes. It was shown that the change of both the color and the fluorescence emission properties can be achieved not only in a hydrochloric acid solution but also inside the polyethylenic fiber on exposure to the gaseous phase of hydrogen chloride even at very low concentrations. The sensing performance was maintained even after several repeats. The highly sensitive and visible fluorescent acid gas sensing textile sensor having washability and reusability was fabricated.