• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.63-76
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of contact type textile electrode structure on heart activity signal acquisition for smart healthcare. In this study, we devised six contact type textile electrodes whose electrode size and configuration were manipulated for measuring heart activity signals using computerized embroidery. We detected heart activity signals using a modified lead II and by attaching each textile electrode to the chest band in four healthy male subjects in a standing static posture. We measured the signals four times repeatedly for all types of electrodes. The heart activity signals were sampled at 1 kHz using a BIOPAC ECG100, and the detected original signals were filtered through a band-pass filter. To compare the performance of heart activity signal acquisition among the different structures of the textile electrodes, we conducted a qualitative analysis using signal waveform and size as parameters. In addition, we performed a quantitative analysis by calculating signal power ratio (SPR) of the heart activity signals obtained through each electrode. We analyzed differences in the performance of heart activity signal acquisition of the six electrodes by performing difference and post-hoc tests using nonparametric statistic methods on the calculated SPR. The results showed a significant difference both in terms of qualitative and quantitative aspects of heart activity signals among the tested contact type textile electrodes. Regarding the configurations of the contact type textile electrodes, the three-dimensionally inflated electrode (3DIE) was found to obtain better quality signals than the flat electrode. However, regarding the electrode size, no significant difference was found in performance of heart signal acquisition for the three electrode sizes. These results suggest that the configuration method (flat/3DIE), which is one of the two requirements of a contact type textile electrode structure for heart activity signal acquisition, has a critical effect on the performance of heart activity signal acquisition for wearable healthcare. Based on the results of this study, we plan to develop a smart clothing technology that can monitor high-quality heart activity without time and space constraints by implementing a clothing platform integrated with the textile electrode and developing a performance improvement plan.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1994

Background: Patients with mitral stenosis(MS) have been demonstrated to have a variable degree of pulmonary dysfunction and exercise impairment. The hemodynamic changes of MS can be reversed after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty(PMV), but the extent and time course of the imporvement in pulmonary function and exercise capacity are not defined. Methods: In order to investigate the early(3 weeks or less)and late(3 months or more) effects of PMV on pulmonary function and determine if the pulmonary dysfunction is reversible even in patients with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension, we performed the spirometry, measurements of diffusing capacity and lung volumes, and incremental exercise tests in patients with MS before and after PMV. Results: In 46 patients with MS(age: $40{\pm}12$years, male to female ratio: 1:2, mitral valve area: $0.8{\pm}0.2cm^2$) there was a significant increase in FVC(P<0.0025), $FEV_1$(P<0.001), $FEF_{25-75%}$(P<0.001, $FEF_{50%}$(P<0.001), PEF(P<0.0005), MVV(P<0.005), $\dot{V}O_2$max (P<0.0001), and AT(P<0.0001) after average 10 days of PMV. Also there was a significant decrease in DLco(P<0.0001) and DL/VA(P<0.0001). At later($5{\pm}2$months) follow-up in 11 patients, there was no further improvement in any parameters of pulmonary function and exercise test. Twenty nine patients with sinus rhythm were divided into 16 patients with pulmonary arterial pressure(PAP) more than 35mmHg and/or tricuspid regurgitation grade n or more(group A) and 13 patients with PAP less than 35mmHg(group B). Group A Patients had significantly lower FVC(P<0.001), $FEV_1$(P<0.001), DLco(P<0.05), $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.025) and mitral valve area(P<0.025) than group B patients. Group A patients after PMV, showed significant increase in FVC(P<0.001), maximum $O_2$ pulse(P<0.00001) and $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.00025). Both group showed an increase in AT(P<0.0001, P<0.005), but group A showed greater decrease in $\dot{V}E/\dot{V}O_2$ and $\dot{V}E/\dot{V}CO_2$ both at AT(P<0.001, P<0.001) and $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.0001, P<0.0001) after PMV compared with group B. Conclusion: These data suggest that patients with MS can show increased pulmonary function and exercise performance within 1 month after PMV. Patients with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension had a significant increase in exercise performance compared with those with mild to no pulmonary hypertension and it is thought to be related to a significat decrease of ventilation for a given oxygen consumption at maximum exercise.