Smart Clothing Can Monitor ECG In Medical Field

NTT, a Japanese chemical material enterprise and a communications operator, will jointly use the "smart clothing" to enter the medical field in Dongli.

Smart clothing is made of fibers that can get live information.

Recently, a new material developed by two companies to monitor ECG and check arrhythmia for 24 hours is recognized as medical device in Japan.

The two companies will start selling special underwear for the hospital in 2017.

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The relevant enterprises are competing for development, but it is the first time that they are used as medical devices.

It is estimated that the development of new materials will speed up in the future.

Dongli and NTT have been promoting the joint development of new materials with the "hitoe" brand.

The new material uses polyester resin with osmotic polymer resin to read weak electrical signals on the body surface.

In monitoring the electrocardiogram products, 4 hitoe electrodes were made on special underwear.

By working hard on the quality and sewn of the special underwear, it will be able to continuously measure the activity of the heart muscle.

Generally used in the medical field, it must meet the national standards of Japan. The new material has recently been registered as a medical device in Japan's PMDA, an independent administrative body under the Ministry of health and labour in Japan.

The agency finds that the new material has almost the same level of accuracy as the traditional electrocardiogram.

Since it is registered as a medical device, it can be applied to medical insurance in Japan to wear this kind of clothing, and patients only pay the same medical expenses as before.

It is expected to be used for monitoring ECG and checking arrhythmia for 24 hours continuously.

The electrode is disposable, but the clothes can be washed and repeatedly used.

The price will be discussed in the future, and 1 pieces are expected to vary from several thousand yen to 10 thousand yen.

Before checking arrhythmia, the electrodes connected to the device through wires must be placed on the body for a long time.

The metal of the electrode may cause a body allergy, causing a greater burden on the patient.

In terms of developing smart clothing, Dongli and NTT are ahead of other competitions.

In 2014, Goldwin launched a smart clothing for measuring heart rate.

In August 2016, remote information service was also provided. Users can use smart phones to control the health of workers such as factories on other occasions.

With regard to other enterprises, Tei and Kyoto University jointly developed a product that can be used to measure ECG activity when patients are being rushed to the hospital.

Japan

Gunze is also working with NEC to develop underwear that detects posture and consumes calories.

It is difficult for major fiber manufacturers to achieve differentiation through the functions of heat preservation, air permeability and deodorizing effect. In the future, new products that are conducive to the health of wearers will be cultivated as sources of revenue.