Evaluating Textile-Based ECG Collection for Continuous Remote Atrial Fibrillation Monitoring

This study addresses the problem of continuous heart rate monitoring to detect Atrial Fibrillation (AF)  by developing textile-based ECG technology to be embedded in a smart shirt system. Our interdisciplinary approach combines textile, engineering, and medical expertise to determine the relationship between conductive yarn, ECG electrode resistance, and  clarity of ECG readings. Defining and understanding the components of textile-based ECG readings will help reduce the amount of observable interference in ECG readings and improve reliability through using felted electrodes. Resistance tests were performed to measure the effect of the base material and of the size of the felted electrode. The results showed that a) the fabric base had no effect on the electrical resistance of the transmission line lead and ECG electrode; and b) a smaller, concentrated felted area leads to lower electrical resistance in the transmission line between the end of the lead and the ECG electrode.