Abstract: A machine knittable hybrid yarn is disclosed. The hybrid yarn includes one or more electrically non-conductive yarns and two or more electrically conductive wires wrapped around the electrically non-conductive yarns. The electrically conductive wires have an exterior layer of an insulated material. The electrically non-conductive yarns include a majority fraction of an overall cross-section of the hybrid yarn. The two or more electrically conductive wires are wrapped around the one or more electrically non-conductive yarns at between 1 and 15 twists per inch. The one or more electrically non-conductive yarns are 1500 denier or finer.

Abstract: A machine knittable hybrid yarn is disclosed. The hybrid yarn includes one or more electrically non-conductive yarns and two or more electrically conductive wires wrapped around the electrically non-conductive yarns. The electrically conductive wires have an exterior layer of an insulated material. The electrically non-conductive yarns include a majority fraction of an overall cross-section of the hybrid yarn. The two or more electrically conductive wires are wrapped around the one or more electrically non-conductive yarns at between 1 and 15 twists per inch. The one or more electrically non-conductive yarns are 1500 denier or finer.

Abstract: A knitted textile includes a textile electrode region, a conductive trace region that terminates in a knitted extension, conductive material, located at an intersection of an ablated area and the textile electrode region, configured to provide an electrical connection between the conductive trace region and the textile electrode region, sealing film, placed around the conductive material, configured to protect the conductive material and seal the conductive material from one or more textile layers that surround the electrical connection, and an outer sealing patch surrounding the textile electrode region and configured to provide a moisture barrier between the textile electrode region and the one or more surrounding textile layers. The conductive trace region includes one or more electrical conductors twisted with an insulator. The knitted extension is configured to overlay a portion of the textile electrode region and includes the ablated area where the insulator has been removed.

Abstract: A system for continuously humidifying a textile electrode during its use by a human is disclosed. The electrode can be part of a garment or textile where the textile electrode is positioned against the skin. A reservoir positioned against the electrode and opposite the user's skin can be made from a material with hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, such as natural wool or a skincore material. The reservoir receives and retains moisture from the user's skin through the electrode, as well as from a pre-wetting of the exposed user-facing side of the electrode. A seal can surround the reservoir and the electrode, with the seal extending beyond electrode. The seal can be a patch with heat activated adhesive at the edge to flow the textile to form a moisture barrier around the electrode. An electrical contact on the electrode can connect conductive wires from outside the seal to the electrode.

Abstract: A machine knittable hybrid yarn for providing conductive traces through a textile is disclosed. The hybrid yarn includes conductive wires coated with an insulating material and twisted together with a nonconductive yarn. The nonconductive yarn is from a strong, inelastic, and nonconductive fiber, such as a meta-aramid or para-aramid that protects the integrity of the conductive wire during knitting. The conductive wire can be copper-clad stainless steel or copper wire is coated with polyurethane, and the nonconductive yarn can have no-drip and no-drip properties to allow ablation of the hybrid yarn to remove the conductive yarn and insulating coating on the wire such that the ablated region becomes externally conductive and suitable for making an electrical contact. The hybrid yarn can be bonded with nylon or similar polymer after twisting.

Abstract: A machine knittable hybrid yarn for providing conductive traces through a textile is disclosed. The hybrid yarn includes conductive wires coated with an insulating material and twisted together with a nonconductive yarn. The nonconductive yarn is from a strong, inelastic, and nonconductive fiber, such as a meta-aramid or para-aramid that protects the integrity of the conductive wire during knitting. The conductive wire can be copper-clad stainless steel or copper wire is coated with polyurethane, and the nonconductive yarn can have no-drip and no-drip properties to allow ablation of the hybrid yarn to remove the conductive yarn and insulating coating on the wire such that the ablated region becomes externally conductive and suitable for making an electrical contact. The hybrid yarn can be bonded with nylon or similar polymer after twisting.

Abstract: A textile made from a single knitted layer having an inert region and a conductive trace region is disclosed. The inert region is knitted using an electrically inert or non-externally conductive yarn and the conductive trace region is knitted from a hybrid yarn containing a non-conductive yarn twisted with a conductive wire, with the conductive wire having an exterior insulating layer. The conductive trace can transmit an electrical data or power signal along the textile via the conductive wire. The insulating layer of the wire can be removed in the conductive trace region to expose the conductive exterior of the wire to enable electrical connections to the conductive trace region. The textile can include a textile electrode knitted from an externally conductive yarn and the conductive trace region can be electrically connected to the electrode to transmit an electrical signal to or from the textile electrode.

Abstract: A system for continuously humidifying a textile electrode during its use by a human is disclosed. The electrode can be part of a garment or textile where the textile electrode is positioned against the skin. A reservoir positioned against the electrode and opposite the user's skin can be made from a material with hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, such as natural wool or a skincore material. The reservoir receives and retains moisture from the user's skin through the electrode, as well as from a pre-wetting of the exposed user-facing side of the electrode. A seal can surround the reservoir and the electrode, with the seal extending beyond electrode. The seal can be a patch with heat activated adhesive at the edge to flow the textile to form a moisture barrier around the electrode. An electrical contact on the electrode can connect conductive wires from outside the seal to the electrode.

Abstract: A wearable sensor retaining device and techniques for integrating a wearable sensor retaining device into a first responder's garment, such as a firefighter's shirt. The wearable sensor retaining device may include a strap having a rigid connector having a male portion and a female portion (e.g. a side-release buckle) for adjustably securing the strap around a wearer's torso to ensure proper location of the wearable sensor and proper fit for the wearer. The strap has a portion for coupling to a wearable sensor and having sufficient tension to retain the wearable monitor in the proper location, while maintaining wearer comfort so as not to impede the range of motion of the wearer. The strap may include a length adjustment loop that provides the wearer a customized fit and quick, consistent application.

Abstract: A wearable sensor retaining device and techniques for integrating a wearable sensor retaining device into a first responder's garment, such as a firefighter's shirt. The wearable sensor retaining device may include a strap having a rigid connector having a male portion and a female portion (e.g. a side-release buckle) for adjustably securing the strap around a wearer's torso to ensure proper location of the wearable sensor and proper fit for the wearer. The strap has a portion for coupling to a wearable sensor and having sufficient tension to retain the wearable monitor in the proper location, while maintaining wearer comfort so as not to impede the range of motion of the wearer. The strap may include a length adjustment loop that provides the wearer a customized fit and quick, consistent application.

Abstract: Seat covers for protecting furniture such as upholstered chairs and methods of their use are disclosed in the present application. In some instances, the seat covers are designed to provide resistance to water and other liquids, while providing an attractive, binding, protective cover that is both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. The seat covers can include a liquid-resistant, soft to the touch, fabric and straps oriented at corners with connectors for allowing the straps to connect with one another without the need to tie straps to one another or to a chair leg. The length of the straps and the shape of the fabric area can also be configured to provide additional functionalities which are advantageous relative to previous seat covers. Methods of using seat covers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Seat covers for protecting furniture such as upholstered chairs and methods of their use are disclosed in the present application. In some instances, the seat covers are designed to provide resistance to water and other liquids, while providing an attractive, binding, protective cover that is both aethetically pleasing and comfortable. The seat covers can include a liquid-resistant, soft to the touch, fabric and straps oriented at corners with connectors for allowing the straps to connect with one another without the need to tie straps to one another or to a chair leg. The length of the straps and the shape of the fabric area can also be configured to provide additional functionalities which are advantageous relative to previous seat covers.