USA: FDA allot approval to use textile-based ECG Electrode

WILMINGTON: The textile innovation company, focused on the development of energy activated warming, illuminating, conducting, and sensing textile materials and systems, Textronics, Inc. has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to market its textile-based ECG Electrode for use in general electrocardiograph monitoring and recording procedures.

Textronics CEO Stacey Burr clarified that the heart-sensing fabric offers a comfortable alternative to adhesive electrodes and metal wristbands that are commonly used with most ECG instruments on the market.

The textile electrodes can be worn comfortably against the skin, as part of a seamless garment, fabric chest strap or elastic wristband. The company is offering the medical community a more comfortable and less cumbersome solution that can improve patient compliance by eliminating skin irritation and other discomforts that are commonly experienced during ECG monitoring, especially in extended wear applications.

Textronics uses its patented technology to knit conductive sensing fibers directly into stretchy fabrics that can monitor physiological conditions comfortably and accurately. The company's textile electrode garments, straps and wristbands are also machined washable and reusable. It can be used for a wide range of ECG monitoring and recording applications, including cardiac event recorders, stress testing, Holter monitoring, trans-telephonic pacemaker monitors, and respiration sensing devices.

Burr added that they have already reached into fitness and sports markets, where heart rate monitoring is widely used to enhance performance and to ensure safety.

Source: bharattextile.com