Wearable electrocardiography and physiology monitoring ensemble

Abstract

A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble is provided. At least one internal structure is formed within a garment and defined by two horizontal bands across a front surface of the garment. An electrode assembly is positioned within the internal structure and includes at least one electrode to sense cardiac electric signals. An electrical connection is connected on one end to one of the electrodes and interfaced on an other end to a monitor recorder that records the cardiac electric signals. The internal structure exerts against a top surface of the electrode assembly a compressive force that presses the electrode assembly against a wearer's skin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble, comprising:
 at least one internal structure formed within a garment and defined by two horizontal bands across a front surface of the garment;   an electrode assembly positioned within the internal structure, comprising:
 at least one electrode to sense cardiac electric signals; and 
 at least one electrical connection connected on one end to one of the electrodes and interfaced on an other end to a monitor recorder that records the cardiac electric signals, 
   wherein the internal structure exerts against a top surface of the electrode assembly a compressive force that presses the electrode assembly against a wearer's skin.   
     
     
         2 . A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a backing on which the electrodes are affixed.   
     
     
         3 . A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a backing on which one of the electrodes is affixed; and   a further backing on which another one of the electrodes is affixed.   
     
     
         4 . A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble according to  claim 3 , wherein the backing and the further backing are positioned within different internal structures. 
     
     
         5 . A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble according to  claim 1 , wherein each electrical connection comprises one of a flexible circuit and a flexile wire. 
     
     
         6 . A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble according to  claim 5 , wherein insulation on one end of the flexile wire is stripped to establish an electrical connection between the corresponding electrode and the flexile wire. 
     
     
         7 . A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 electrical pads each connected to one of the electrical contacts on an end of the electrical contact opposite the electrode; and   the same or different electrical pads connected to the monitor recorder.   
     
     
         8 . A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are each formed via flexile wires. 
     
     
         9 . A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection interfaces wirelessly with the monitor recorder. 
     
     
         10 . A wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a physiological monitor to monitor one or more physiological conditions of the wearer simultaneously with the sensing of the cardiac electric signals.   
     
     
         11 . A method for constructing a wearable electrocardiography monitoring ensemble, comprising:
 defining at least one internal structure in a wearable garment via two horizontal bands;   generating an electrode assembly configured for positioning within the internal structure, comprising:
 obtaining at least one electrode to sense cardiac electric signals; 
 connecting at least one electrical connection on one end to one of the electrodes; and 
 interfacing the electrical connection on an other end to a monitor recorder that records the cardiac electric signals, 
   wherein the internal structure exerts against a top surface of the electrode assembly a compressive force that presses the electrode assembly against a wearer's skin.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 affixing the electrodes on a backing.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 affixing each of the electrodes on a separate backing.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the each of the separate backings are positioned within different internal structures. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein each electrical connection comprises one of a flexible circuit and a flexile wire. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 stripping one end of the flexile wire to establish an electrical connection between the flexile wire and the corresponding electrode.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 connecting electrical pads to one of the electrical contacts on an end of the electrical contact opposite the electrode; and   connecting the same or different electrical pads to the monitor recorder.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the electrodes are each formed via flexile wires. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein each electrical connection interfaces wirelessly with the monitor recorder. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 monitoring a physiological monitor for one or more physiological conditions of the wearer simultaneously with the sensing of the cardiac electric signals.