Smart technology develops new 'HealthVest' garment

14 Nov '07

3 min read

SmartLife Technology Ltd in Manchester has been awarded an Exceptional Development Grant of £500,000 by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to develop a garment called the 'HealthVest'.

Since 2004 the company has developed a garment that incorporates sensors allowing the monitoring of vital health signs and this technology is likely to allow the continuous monitoring of a person's vital signs and wellbeing.

The 'HealthVest' is expected to be made available to a wide range of sectors including medical, sports, the emergency services and professional drivers.

The garment uses sensors which can monitor electrocardiogram (ECG), respiration and temperature and is worn next to the skin as an undergarment. The garment then transfers raw signals to electronics carried by the subject for processing, presentation or forwarding to a remote monitoring centre.

The primary market for patient monitoring globally has been estimated at $14.5bn, according to business research firm Frost and Sullivan and the HealthVest is likely to find a ready market in the professional sports arena. Other markets will include healthcare where the technology will create the option for elderly relatives to be monitored.

Additionally first responders such as the emergency services who are entering fire or stress related situations will be able to be monitored with the aim of reducing the risks thatthey face.

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