A Smart Belt With Embroidered Antenna-Based Sensor for Real-Time Respiratory Monitoring

Wearable technology has increased interest in monitoring vital signs in various medical fields, especially breathing monitoring. However, existing methods to track breathing patterns face challenges, including a lack of user comfort, robustness, system reliability, and data processing issues. Therefore, it is crucial to develop user-friendly and reliable wireless methods to overcome these challenges. In this article, we present a new wireless communication platform for real-time breathing monitoring. The platform consists of a wearable stretching belt with an embroidered loop antenna-based sensor connected to a compact Bluetooth transmitter, with dimensions of 17.145 × 11.303 mm2, placed on the abdomen. The proposed antenna-based sensor was designed to transmit data over wireless networks operating at a 2.4-GHz frequency. Its sensing mechanism involves detecting a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) wirelessly transmitted by the antenna sensor, which is responsive to strain. The experimental results were conducted to track different breathing patterns from a male volunteer. The system was compared with a Biopac MP36, and the obtained results showed a strong correlation with the measured values. The proposed system demonstrates the ability to detect various breathing patterns, including eupnea, hypopnea, hyperpnea, and Biot’s respiration. Furthermore, its accuracy in detecting these breathing patterns highlights its potential for clinical applications, such as monitoring respiratory health in patients with sleep disorders or chronic respiratory conditions.