Advanced e-textiles for wearable therapeutics

Lead Research Organisation: University of Southampton
Department Name: Sch of Electronics and Computer Sci

Abstract

E-textiles are advanced textiles that include electronic functionality such as conductive tracks to sensing/actuating, communications and microprocessing. The emergence of advanced e-textiles offers opportunities for the self-management of health conditions with tangible benefits for the individual and healthcare providers. E-textiles can be used in many healthcare applications such as health monitoring (e.g. electrocardiogram (ECG) and Electroencephalography (EEG)) and treatment (e.g. pain relief, rehabilitation).

The applicant and her team have developed a novel platform manufacturing method that enables the packaging of electronic components (e.g. microcontrollers, sensors) in ultra-thin die form that can be hidden within textile yarns. The team has also developed a patented dry fabric electrode technology using novel materials and fabrication methods for wearable medical devices offering the competitive advantages of comfort (no gel needed), ease of use, unobtrusive implementation, and being washable. The combination of these two technologies will enable wearable healthcare with improved user experience (e.g. comfort, unobtrusive, independent use) and improved compliance with treatment requirements.

The project will enable the Fellowship applicant to lead a multi-disciplinary team to address the fundamental underlying research challenges of integration and durability to enable the e-textile technology to progress from the research laboratory towards real world applications and improve options for healthcare provision. The application of the advanced e-textile technology will be demonstrated through a wearable therapeutic clothing item for pain relief of osteoarthritis which is an age related disease affecting 8.75 million people in the UK.

The collaboration with industrial partners and the engagement with project advisors (e.g. healthcare professionals and patient and public involvement representatives), end users and other key stakeholders will ensure industry/clinical relevance and establish collaborations for the follow on exploitation of the technology.

Planned Impact

The main beneficiaries of this research lie within the healthcare and manufacturing sectors which benefit from improved health provision (societal impact) and new product lines (economic benefit).

Healthcare
People with osteoarthritis (OA) and other pain related health conditions: the direct beneficiaries are OA patients suffering from knee joint pain. The wearable e-textiles can be adapted to also treat other joint pain (e.g. hip, back, neck) and pain caused by other conditions (e.g. gout, injury, joint replacement).
NHS: E-textiles clothing is comfortable to wear and convenient to use. Patients can use it independently at home to manage their own conditions. It will transfer hospital based professional care to home based self-care, and therefore, will reduce NHS costs by saving healthcare professionals' time and other hospital resources.

Economic
University: the IP developed in this project will be protected, as appropriate, by the University of Southampton. We anticipate that this will create an opportunity for licensing or forming a spin-out company.
Project partners: partners will benefit from the collaboration on the exploitation of technologies. For example, CPI and Designworks will be ideal partners for the scaling up and follow-on product development; Lenzing will be a perfect supplier of the novel textile yarns; OML and Atlantic therapeutics will benefit from using the e-textile technology for their own product development.
Industry: e-textiles technologies will bring business to the whole supply chain. The project will increase demand for wearable therapeutic devices by improving user experience (e.g. comfort, ease of use, flexible control of stimulus). Other industry sectors that could also benefit from the e-textiles platform technologies include sport/fitness, automotive, workwear, interior design and fashion.

People/leadership
Applicant: the project is very timely for the applicant being perfectly aligned with her longer term career aspirations. The Fellowship will provide opportunities for career development transforming the applicant from a leading researcher to an inspiring future leader and ambassador for women in STEM.
Researchers: This multidisciplinary project will provide an excellent opportunity for project researchers to work with other disciplines and engage with industrial partners and healthcare professionals.
 
Description A initial electronic sleeve (E-sleeve) prototype has been developed for knee joint pain relief which includes a knee sleeve with dry fabric electrodes integrated, and a wired control system. Ethical approval has been obtained to test the prototype and positive feedback has been received (e.g. comfortable, easy to use, pain reduced). The electrode material has passed the biocompatibility tests and it is safe to use. Novel materials and fabrication methods has been developed to improve the durability (e.g. washing, bending).
The e-sleeve design has been modified according to the feedback from the end users. Different electrotherapy controls has been developed and tested on the end users. Sensing yarns have been developed to measure the knee joint measurement.
Exploitation Route The research team has worked with Hampshire Wellbeing Centre to test the prototype and worked with Angel Med on the e-sleeve manufacturing. The electrodes have as also been used by project partner Odstock Medical Ltd to develop application on assistive technology for people with Spinal Cord Injury. Different designs have been evaluated to achieve sufficient limb movement while maintaining the user comfort. An Innovate UK grant has been secured to develop wearable knee sleeve product for pain relief and assisted living. An MRC DPFS has been awarded to developed a integrated wearable system for pain relief, muscle exercise, and movement monitoring. We will also conduct clinical trials and develop a Quality Management System and technical documentation to demonstrate clinical efficacy and regulatory compliance.
Sectors Education

Healthcare

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

 
Description The work has been publicized on websites and newsletters to improve the awareness of the knee joint pain and how technologies might help. We increase the awareness and collect the feedback through patient and public involvement (PPI), such as focus group studies and one to one interview. The work was featured on the "This is Engineering Day" and the faculty's website to promote the engineering work undertaking at the University of Southampton.
Sector Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

 
Description E-textiles based wearable electrode garment for rehabilitation and active living
Amount £49,938 (GBP)
Funding ID 59149 
Organisation Innovate UK 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2020 
End 03/2021
 
Description Industrial design and manufacturing of electrotherapy knee sleeve for joint pain relief
Amount £44,691 (GBP)
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 07/2020 
End 10/2021
 
Description Wearable Textile with Integrated Electrotherapy and Sensing for Joint Pain Management
Amount £1,437,964 (GBP)
Funding ID MR/W029421/1 
Organisation Medical Research Council (MRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 06/2022 
End 09/2025
 
Description Wearable electrotherapy industrial design 
Organisation KYMIRA Sports
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The project is underpinned by the E-textiles based electrotherapy technology developed in the Fellowship.
Collaborator Contribution Thrive Wearable supported on the industrial design of an e-textile garment for pain relief and muscle exercise. Angel Med and Kymira supported on the e-garment materials and manufacturing.
Impact The industrial design of the e-garment has completed. Demonstrator has been developed. This will be used in the follow-on grant application to secure funding for the product development.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Wearable electrotherapy industrial design 
Organisation Thrive Wearables Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The project is underpinned by the E-textiles based electrotherapy technology developed in the Fellowship.
Collaborator Contribution Thrive Wearable supported on the industrial design of an e-textile garment for pain relief and muscle exercise. Angel Med and Kymira supported on the e-garment materials and manufacturing.
Impact The industrial design of the e-garment has completed. Demonstrator has been developed. This will be used in the follow-on grant application to secure funding for the product development.
Start Year 2020
 
Company Name Etexsense 
Description Etexsense develops textiles for wearable healthcare products. 
Year Established 2018 
Impact The company is in R&D stage and currently working with OML and Bournemouth University to develop wearable technology for Spinal Cord Injury.
Website https://etexsense.com
 
Description "Muscle stimulation for rehabilitation and recovery" round table discussion at Giant Health 2020. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Panel discussion on "Muscle stimulation for rehabilitation and recovery" at Giant Health 2020. Joined with two other panel members from UK leading wearable technology companies. This has led to a follow-up from a company who is interested in future collaboration.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description BBC News on Glove offers "life changing" movement to stroke patients 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The purpose is to engage to wide public with our research on smart glove based Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for stroke rehabilitation. This was achieved by 1) interviewing at BBC Radio Solent Show and 2) filming for BBC South Today; 3) News on BBC website; 4) coverage by broader social media (Wave105).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023