WO2011131233A1

WO2011131233A1 - Sensor apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2011131233A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/055223
Authority: WO
Inventors: Javier GUILLÉN ARREDONDO; Sergio GUILLÉN BARRIONUEVO
Original assignee: Wearable Information Technologies, S.L. (Weartech)
Priority date: 2010-04-20
Filing date: 2010-04-20
Publication date: 2011-10-27

Abstract

A sensor apparatus adapted to be incorporated in a garment, said apparatus comprising a respiration sensor and at least two ECG sensors (14) which in use of the garment are in contact with a user's skin (1), the apparatus further comprising fasteners (16) to which an electronic device (20) can be attached for receiving data from said sensors, at least one of said fasteners being in electrical connection with said respiration sensor, and at least one of said fasteners being in electrical connection with said ECG sensors.

Description

SENSOR APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a sensor apparatus, and more particularly relates to a sensor apparatus which is adapted to be integrated in a garment.

It is known that athletes want to monitor their own physical status when doing exercise, whether this exercise is in the form of competition or during training. Many runners for example carry with them a Velcro breast strap for monitoring their heart rate. Others use a heart rate monitor on their wrist. Although these systems do allow an athlete to gather some information during exercise or after their exercise, they suffer from several disadvantages: firstly, the heart rate monitors can easily be forgotten and secondly, they are not always very comfortable in their use. Thirdly, only very limited information, namely only the heart rate, is available.

To resolve these issues, garments have been provided with integrated sensors. EP 1 916 323 discloses a garment which comprises a band portion having electrodes in contact with the skin of a user. An electronic device can be incorporated in the garment to measure and process signals from the electrodes in contact with the skin.

WO 02/071935 discloses a garment (such as a bra or undershirt) with a sensor positioned in the chest area of the garment. Press studs are provided, to which a transmitter can be connected.

US 2005/0010096 discloses a garment to which a plurality of ECG pickup contacts are attached. The garment furthermore comprises snaps for connection with ECG sensors.

These prior art garments resolve some of the aforementioned problems. A sensor integrated in a garment cannot be forgotten and in general may be more comfortable in use. However, there still exists a need for a garment which is able to provide athletes with more information. There also still exists a need for such a garment which is reliable in use, is relatively cheap and is user-friendly (in that it can e.g. easily be washed in a washing machine). There further exists a need for garment which can be used in combination with e.g. a mobile phone and/or a web portal to further help athletes before, during and after exercise.

It is an object of the present invention to at least partially fulfils these needs. The present invention is particularly aimed at runners, joggers, racewalkers, but may be used by anyone involved in any sort of physical exercise.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a sensor apparatus adapted to be incorporated in a garment, said apparatus comprising a respiration sensor and at least two ECG sensors which in use of the garment are in contact with a user's skin, the apparatus further comprising one or more fasteners to which an electronic device can be attached for receiving data from said sensors, at least one of said fasteners being in electrical connection with said respiration sensor, and at least one of said fasteners being in electrical connection with said ECG sensors.

Such combination of ECG sensors and respiration sensor may provide among others the following information: ECG, Respiratory Rate ("respiration rate"), Heart Rate, Heart Rate Quality (indicates the proportion of noise in the ECG signal), and ECG Variation (variability of the ECG signal), and respiration amplitude. Using the fasteners provided in the sensor apparatus, an electronic device may be removably connected to the garment. The electronic device may be used for receiving and/or processing and/or sending data from the sensors. These data may e.g. be sent to a mobile phone, PDA or even a Web site.

Apart from the obvious advantages for athletes, the present invention may also be advantageously used by e.g. the chronically ill, people or patients known to suffer from cardiac problems, and patients recovering from a surgical intervention, cardiac episode or a disease. In this case, the invention may be used as as a rehabilitation and control product. Furthermore, the invention may be used in the industrial sector as a security product for people or operators with a high level of responsibility or risk such as fire fighters, harbour operators, refinery operators, police, etc.

In embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may be made of a textile. Such a textile apparatus may be more easily integrated in a garment. In this context, a textile is to be understood to comprise any kind of woven, knitted, or tufted cloth, or a non-woven fabric (e.g. a cloth made of fibers that have been bonded into a fabric). Textile in this context furthermore also comprises yarns, threads and wools that can be spun, woven, tufted, tied and otherwise used to manufacture cloth.

In embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may be substantially tubular (substantially completely surrounding a part of the torso of a user). In other embodiments, the apparatus may comprise only a portion of such a tube and may be e.g. a band, a strip or similar.

In order to obtain suitable information from the ECG sensors, it is preferable if said at least two ECG sensors are positioned sufficiently apart such that in use a suitable difference in potential is established.

In some embodiments, the ECG sensors are made from conductive yarns or other conductive textiles. Suitable conductive yarns comprise e.g. cotton, polyamide, polyester, or nylon substrates embedded with electrically conductive elements, like e.g. carbon, nickel, copper, gold, silver, stainless steel or titanium. In other embodiments, other suitable skin electrodes could be used.

In some embodiments, one or more of said fasteners may be provided between the two ECG sensors. In preferred embodiments, said at least two ECG sensors are connected to two of said fasteners through paths of conductive yarn. By providing a conductive yarn connecting the fasteners to the ECG sensors, the ECG sensors may still be positioned relatively far apart, but the electronic device connected to the fittings may be of reduced dimensions.

In an implementation, the two ECG sensors and paths are made from the same conductive yarn.

In some embodiments, the respiration sensor may be adapted to determine a user's respiration by registering the sensor's variation in electrical resistance due to its deformation in use.

In some embodiments, said respiration sensor may substantially have a shape of an open rectangle. In other embodiments, the respiration sensor may have an inverted U-shape. In yet other embodiments, yet further shapes may be used which can elongate and contract with the movement of the thorax. And in some embodiments, said respiration sensor is provided with at least one of said fasteners. In preferred embodiments, two fasteners are provided at the ends of the respiration sensor.

In some embodiments, said respiration sensor is positioned above said ECG sensors.

In some embodiments, said fasteners are press studs (also sometimes referred to as snaps, snap fasteners, or poppers). Such press studs are commonly made of a pair of interlocking discs. A circular lip under one disc fits into a groove on the top of the other, holding them fast until a certain amount of force is applied. The press studs may be attached to fabric by hammering, plying, or sewing. In other embodiments, other kinds of fasteners may be used, such as e.g. magnets, a pin-socket or plug-socket connection (e.g. with the socket being provided on the sensor apparatus), conductive Velcro or other conductive metal clip fasteners.

In some embodiments, the sensor apparatus comprises at least two textile layers, said ECG sensors being provided in a first textile layer which in use is in contact with a user's skin, said fasteners being provided at least partially in a second textile layer which in use is on the outside of the garment. This way, the electronic device may be easily fitted on the outside of the garment. The "outside of the garment" in this sense is to be understood as the side of the garment which in use is not in contact with the user's skin, and faces away from the user.

In preferred embodiments, the sensor apparatus can at least partially adapt to a user's body. E.g. in some embodiments, said first and second textile layers are made from an elastic material. In this sense, "elastic material" is to be understood as a material which relatively easily may be stretched or compressed and is able to resume its original shape. A garment with substantially elastic properties may be more comfortable to wear. Additionally, the respiration sensor is preferably provided in an elastic layer such that it may more easily deform, flex and/or bend with the movement of a user's thorax. The combination of two elastic textile layers on top of each other establishes that the outer elastic layer exerts some force on the inner elastic layer, so that the inner layer is pressed against a user's skin. In embodiments wherein ECG sensors are provided in a first textile layer, these ECG sensors are thus pressed against a user's skin. During the manufacture of elastic textiles, the tension of the yarn used may be manipulated. This way certain parts of a garment may fit more tightly around a user's body than other parts. For example, it is not desirable that a garment is very tight in the area of an armpit of a user. On the other hand, as mentioned before, it is desirable that a portion of a garment with ECG electrodes fits tightly around a user's body.

In some embodiments, a third layer is provided between said first and said second textile layer. Preferably, said third layer is substantially impermeable to water. Such a third layer may prevent e.g. a short circuit caused by a user's perspiration.

In some embodiments, said third layer is only provided along a portion of the sensor apparatus. Preferably, said third layer is substantially more rigid than said first and second textile layers and said third layer is provided for a portion of the apparatus comprising fasteners to which an electronic device can be attached for processing data from said sensors. With this arrangement, a relatively rigid portion of the garment is provided to which the electronic device can be connected. At the same time, the more elastic portions of the garment provide user comfort and e.g. a proper functioning of the respiration sensor.

In some embodiments, the third layer is provided by heat pressing a heat transfer substrate to said second layer.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention provides a garment comprising a sensor apparatus such as substantially hereinbefore described. In preferred embodiments, said sensor apparatus is arranged in said garment such that in use the apparatus is arranged substantially in the area immediately below a user's chest, or in the area of intersection between abdomen and chest. These areas may in general be the most suitable location for the ECG sensors and respiration sensor. Depending however on the exact positions of the respiration sensor and ECG sensor, a slightly different area may be more suitable. It will be clear that the exact area covered will also depend on the dimensions of the sensor apparatus.

In some embodiments, the main other parts of said garment are made with a single textile layer. In embodiments of the invention, said garment may substantially comprise a single textile layer, which forms either the first or second textile layer of the textile sensor apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described. In these embodiments, e.g. the sleeves or straps, or collar or the garment may comprise more than one layer. Within the scope of the invention, any garment may incorporate the sensor apparatus. Some preferred garments are: a t- shirt with long sleeves, a t-shirt with short sleeves, a tank top, a leotard, a bra, a sleeveless top, a halter top, a spaghetti-strapped shirt, a singlet, an A-shirt or a tube top. Particular embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following, only by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of a textile sensor apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a frontal view of an embodiment of a sensor apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates the built-up of a textile sensor apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a garment according to an embodiment of the present invention and its use in combination with an electronic device, mobile phone and web page.

Figure 1 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of a sensor apparatus according to the present invention. It will be clear from the explanation that follows that the drawings are schematic, and that the distances, and thicknesses of elements are in some cases exaggerated or otherwise misrepresented. The chosen thicknesses and distances in the figure have merely been selected to more clearly illustrate the various aspects of the invention.

In this embodiment, a sensor apparatus comprises a first textile layer 11 , which in use is in contact with the user's skin 1. In this embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a second textile layer 13 (which in use is on the outside of a garment) and an intermediate third layer 12. In preferred embodiments, said first layer 11 and second layer 13 are made of a substantially elastic material. In further preferred embodiments, said first layer 11 and second layer 13 may be made from permeable ("breathing") materials. As an example of an elastic material, a combination of Thermocool™ (commercially available from e.g. Advansa™), nylon and lycra may be used. In a particular example, the elastic material consists of 70% Thermocool™, 20% nylon and 10% lycra. In other embodiments of the invention however, these same materials in other proportions may be used. In other preferred embodiments, yet completely different materials may be used. The elastic textile layers may be manufactured e.g. by seamless sewing. During the manufacture, the tension of the yarn can be manipulated if desired.

In the embodiment of figure 1 , two ECG sensors 14 are provided in first textile layer 11. In preferred embodiments, said ECG sensors are made of conductive yarns which may be sewn or stitched onto said textile layer 11. Further in this embodiment, silicon patches 19 may be provided. These silicon patches may serve to ensure that the ECG sensors do not move or slide too much with respect to the user's body. In other embodiments of the invention, the sensor apparatus does not comprise such silicon patches.

Further in the embodiment of figure 1 , electrical paths or "tracks" 15 are provided in the second textile layer 13 to electrically connect the ECG sensors 14 to fasteners 16. In this embodiment, the fasteners are press studs. The female parts of the press studs 16 comprise top part 16a provided in second textile layer 13, and bottom part 16b provided below intermediate layer 12. The male parts 21 of the press studs are provided on an electronic device 20 which may be attached to the sensor apparatus and garment. Suitable materials for the tracks 15 include e.g. cotton, polyamide, polyester, or nylon substrates embedded with electrically conductive elements, like e.g. carbon, nickel, copper, gold, silver, stainless steel or titanium. In one embodiment, conductive yarn of 70% polyamide and 30% stainless steel may be used. In another embodiment conductive yarn of 50% polyamide and 50% stainless steel may be used. In yet further embodiments, a 100% stainless steel yarn or wire could be used for the ECG sensors and/or tracks. Reference sign 17 has been used to indicate the connection by stitching or sewing conductive yarn between the ECG sensors 14 to tracks 15. Although not shown in figure 1 , such stitching or sewing is provided for both ECG sensors 14 of figure 1.

The electronic device 20 may be used for receiving and collecting and/or storing and/or processing, and/or transmitting data from the sensors. The electronic device 20 may further incorporate other sensors such as an accelerometer, preferably a three-dimensional accelerometer. Data from the ECG sensors, respiration sensor, accelerometer and optionally other sensors may be transmitted and/or analysed to assist in the training of a user.

In this embodiment, press studs were used as fasteners. It will be clear that any other suitable fastener may also be used, as long as an electrical connection can be established between the sensors and the fasteners. An example of an alternative fastener may e.g. be conductive Velcro or a socket of a plug-and- socket connection, such as e.g. a jack connector.

During the manufacture of the sensor apparatus, the intermediate layer may be heat pressed between the first and second textile layers. In alternative manufacturing methods, the intermediate layer may be e.g. sewn or stitched between the other two layers.

Preferably, the intermediate layer 12 is substantially more rigid than the first and second textile layers 11 and 13. The intermediate layer may thus locally provide a rigid zone, to which the electronic device may be easily attached. By only providing the intermediate layer along a portion of the apparatus, the other parts of the textile sensor apparatus may be more elastic or flexible, which may be more comfortable for users and also can enhance the performance of the respiration sensor (not shown in figure 1 ). Suitable materials for the intermediate layer include e.g. Teflon ™-based textiles (such as Gore-tex™). In other embodiments, silicon heat transfer substrates or plastic heat transfer substrates, rubber, or relatively rigid textiles may be used. It should be understood that although it is desirable that the intermediate layer is more rigid than the first and second textile layers, such rigidity will also have limits in order to safeguard a user's comfort.

Also preferably, the intermediate layer 12 is impermeable to water. This may avoid e.g. short circuits caused by excessive transpiring by a user. Finally, in this embodiment, a heat press transfer substrate 18 may be heat pressed onto the outer layer 13. Such substrate may be decorative and e.g. comprise a logo, a drawing, a trademark name or may simply be used to mask the tracks 15. In other embodiments of the invention, such a heat press transfer substrate is not necessarily provided.

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a frontal view of an embodiment of a sensor apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, respiration sensor 30 has a shape resembling a rectangle, which is open on one of its longer sides. At its ends, fasteners 32 (in the shown embodiment, female parts of press studs) may be provided.

In this embodiment, the respiration sensor is provided above the ECG sensors 14, and the "tracks" 15 connecting the ECG sensors to fasteners 16. By suitable positioning the open rectangle with respect to the ECG sensors and tracks, a rectangular area 20' is created of suitable dimensions for an electronic device.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the electronic device which may be attached to the sensor apparatus and garment will be substantially small and light weight so that it is comfortable for a user to carry on the garment. However, the ECG sensors 14 are preferably placed a suitable distance apart to create a notable difference in potential between the ECG sensors, such that their signals can be distinguished. Additionally, respiration sensor 30 has a suitable length such that movement of the user's thorax can be detected by (directly or indirectly) measuring the deformation of the respiration sensor.

With the shape of the respiration sensor, the use of the tracks 15, and the positioning of figure 2, the ECG sensors and respiration sensor may function properly, while the electronic device may be of reduced dimensions and can still be easily attached to the garment. In preferred embodiments, the respiration sensor is thus positioned substantially between the ECG sensors. In this sense, the respiration sensor does not need to be positioned on an imaginary straight line between said ECG sensors, but may advantageously be provided above (or in some alternative embodiments, below) such an imaginary line.

In some embodiments of the invention, the respiration sensor comprises piezoresistive carbon covered fibres. Its deformation can be detected by measuring its electrical resistance. A change in its electrical resistance indicates a change in length of the sensors and thus indicates expansions or contraction of the thorax.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates the built-up of a textile sensor apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. First textile layer 11 comprises the ECG sensors 14. Optional silicon patches 19 may be positioned between the skin of the user and the ECG sensor. Bottom parts of the female parts of the press studs, 32b and 16b are provided underneath intermediate layer 12. Finally, second layer 13 is shown with respiration sensor 30 and the tracks 15. Top parts of the female parts of the press studs 16a and 32 a are provided on top of second layer 13. Finally, also optional decorative heat transfer substrates 18 are shown.

In figure 3, first layer 11 and second layer 13 have been indicated as strips without ends. In some implementations, both layers may form complete tubes. In other implementations, one or both of the layers may not form a complete tube, and rather be formed like e.g. rectangular strips.

In the embodiments of figures 1 -3, the sensor apparatus was provided with four press studs. It will be clear however, that a different number of press studs may also be used.

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a garment 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The garment comprises a sensor apparatus 5 substantially as hereinbefore described. In this embodiment, the sensor apparatus is formed by a textile tube 5. The sensor apparatus 5 may comprise a respiration sensor 30, ECG sensors (not visible, not shown) and an electronic device 20. The respiration sensor has a slightly different shape than shown in e.g. figure 3. The respiration sensor 30 in this embodiment has an inverted U-shape (or a rotated C- shape).

Figure 4 also illustrates a garment 6 with incorporated sensors and its use in combination with an electronic device 20, mobile phone 40 and web page 50. The electronic deice is adapted to receive data from sensors incorporated in garment 6. For example, an ECG signal will be received. The electronic device may further be adapted to process said signal, and provide an improved ECG signal after e.g. filtering out noise. The electronic device may further comprise storage means, such as e.g. a MicroSD memory card for storing data from the sensors obtained before, and/or during and/or after exercising. It may also conveniently comprise one or more batteries.

The electronic device may further comprise a Bluetooth module for communicating with a mobile phone 40. Data collected from the sensors may thus be transmitted to a user's mobile phone. As was mentioned before, also the electronic device may comprise further sensors such as e.g. a three-dimensional accelerometer or a GPS system. Data from this accelerometer, GPS and/or other sensors may also be transmitted to a user's mobile phone. Electronic device 20 may further comprise means for connecting it to a computer (such as a PC, Mac, laptop or similar). For this purpose, it may e.g. comprise a micro USB port, a normal USB port, a FireWire port or similar. Such a connection with a computer may be used to transfer data from the computer to the electronic device or vice versa or for charging the battery or batteries of the electronic device.

It will be clear that a garment with incorporated sensors, in combination with an electronic device, and optionally in combination with a mobile phone (or similar device), may serve a useful purpose for athletes. Before, during and after physical exercise, they can monitor e.g. their ECG, respiration rate, heart rhythm, speed, distance covered during exercise, calories burned and R-R interval (period of respiration). However, this information may also be useful for e.g. the chronically ill, people or patients known to suffer from cardiac problems, and patients recovering from a surgical intervention or cardiac episode or a disease. The sensor apparatus according to the invention and a garment incorporating such an apparatus may also be useful in an industrial environment, wherein it is important to monitor the physical condition of employees.

Mobile phone 40 may further be provided with a computer program (software) that may be adapted to e.g. collect data from the electronic device, and/or process said data to monitor a user's performance before, during or after exercise, and/or compare said data to a preloaded exercise program, and/or transmit data related to a user's exercise to a dedicated web page. Processing the data from sensors may e.g. comprise filtering out noise from the sensors which was not filtered by the electronic device. The mobile phone may comprise a Bluetooth module to be able to communicate with the electronic device.

The mobile phone may also be adapted to be able to control the electronic device. If the mobile phone is provided with GPS functionalities, data from the GPS module may be combined with data from the sensors in the garment and/or sensors in the electronic device. The mobile phone may furthermore be adapted to present data related to exercises in a suitable form e.g. with graphics relating to pulse rate, ECG, average speed, total distance covered etc.

Although hereinbefore reference was made in general to a mobile phone, it will be clear that a mobile phone may be substituted by a suitable PDA, iPod™ iPhone ™, Blackberry ™, Smartphone or other similar device (as long as functionalities are incorporated which allow communication with electronic device 20).

It is furthermore preferred that the mobile phone is adapted to upload and/or download data from a dedicated website 50.

Said website 50 may be adapted to allow users to login and collect data related to their exercises. The website may furthermore allow users to download e.g. running schedules, suitable routes for running, and an exercise to be performed. The suggested schedule, exercises and routes may e.g. be based on a user's previous exercises, and data that was collected from the sensors during these previous exercises. The suggested schedules and/or routes may furthermore be based on other personal data a user can provide at the website (e.g. the desire to loose weight, to run a half marathon, a complete marathon or to work on endurance). The suggested schedules and/or may also be based on other personal data such as e.g. sex, age, weight, height, cardiac fitness, smoker or non-smoker.

In some embodiments of the invention, the electronic device 20 is adapted to collect data from the sensors, and transmit them to a mobile phone (or similar device). The mobile phone may comprise a computer program that is adapted to compare the data received from the electronic device with a preloaded exercise schedule. Based on this comparison, the mobile phone may give suggestions or instructions to a user. For example, on the display of the mobile phone, an instruction such as "pause", "accelerate", "decelerate" may be shown. Alternative such an instruction could be communicated to a user through headphones connected to the mobile phone.

It will be clear that a dedicated website may further be completed with the ability to e.g. upload photos, connect with other users of similar profile, suitable graphic representation of various parameters collected before, during or after exercise.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described before, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A sensor apparatus adapted to be incorporated in a garment,

said apparatus comprising a respiration sensor and at least two ECG sensors which in use of the garment are in contact with a user's skin,

the apparatus further comprising one or more fasteners to which an electronic device can be attached for receiving data from said sensors, at least one of said fasteners being in electrical connection with said respiration sensor, and at least one of said fasteners being in electrical connection with said ECG sensors.

2. A sensor apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said at least two ECG sensors are positioned sufficiently apart such that in use a suitable difference in potential can be established to measure a user's ECG.

3. A sensor apparatus according to any claims 1 or 2, wherein said at least two ECG sensors are made from conductive yarn.

4. A sensor apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein one or more of said fasteners are positioned substantially between the two ECG sensors.

5. A sensor apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein said at least two ECG sensors are connected to one or more of said fasteners through paths of conductive yarn.

6. A sensor apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said at least two ECG sensors are made from the same conductive yarn as said paths.

7. A sensor apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein said respiration sensor is adapted to determine a user's respiration by registering the sensor's variation in electrical resistance due to its deformation in use.

8. A sensor apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein said respiration sensor substantially has a shape of an open rectangle.

9. A sensor apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein said 5 respiration sensor is provided with at least one of said fasteners.

10. A sensor apparatus according to claim 8 and 9, wherein one fastener is provided at each end of the respiration sensor.

1 0 1 1 . A sensor apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein said sensor apparatus is made of textile.

12. A sensor apparatus according to claim 1 1 , wherein said sensor apparatus is a textile tube.

15

13. A sensor apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein said respiration sensor is positioned above said ECG sensors.

14. A sensor apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein said 2 0 fasteners are press studs.

15. A sensor apparatus according to any previous claim, which in use at least partially adapts to a user's body.

25 16. A sensor apparatus according to any previous claim comprising at least two textile layers, said ECG sensors being provided in a first textile layer which in use is in contact with a user's skin, said fasteners being provided at least partially in a second textile layer which in use is on the outside of the garment.

30 17. A sensor apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said respiration sensor is provided in said second textile layer.

18. A sensor apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein in use said electronic device is attached on the outside of the garment.

19. A sensor apparatus according to any of claims 16 - 18, wherein said first 5 and second textile layers are made from an elastic material.

20. A sensor apparatus according to any of claims 16 - 19, comprising a third layer provided between said first and said second textile layer.

1 0 21 . A sensor apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said third layer is substantially impermeable to water.

22. A sensor apparatus according to claim 20 or 21 , wherein said third layer is substantially more rigid than said first and second textile layers.

15

23. A sensor apparatus according to any of claims 20 - 22, wherein said third layer is only provided along a portion of said apparatus.

24. A sensor apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said third layer is

2 0 provided along a portion of said apparatus comprising fasteners to which an electronic device can be attached for receiving data from said sensors.

25. A sensor apparatus according to any of claims 20 - 24, wherein said third layer comprises a heat transfer substrate.

25

26. A sensor apparatus according to any of claims 20 - 25, wherein said third layer is made of a rigid textile.

27. A garment comprising a sensor apparatus according to any previous

30 claim.

28. A garment according to claim 27, wherein said sensor apparatus is arranged in said garment such that in use the sensor apparatus is arranged substantially in the area immediately below a user's chest.

29. A garment according to claim 27 or 28, comprising a sensor apparatus according to any of claims 16-25, wherein the other parts of said garment are made with a single textile layer.

30. A garment according to any of claims 27 - 29, wherein said garment is a t-shirt with long sleeves, a t-shirt with short sleeves, a tank top, a leotard, a bra, a sleeveless top, halter top, singlet, A-shirt, spaghetti-strapped shirt or a tube top.