Design and development of textile-based wearable sensors for real-time biomedical monitoring; a review

The growing field of smart textiles has captivated researchers, focusing on advancing functionalities to enhance human well-being and elevate daily comfort. Wearable sensors, integral to healthcare, hold immense promise for real-time biomedical monitoring, presenting a transformative potential for disease management and enhanced patient outcomes. Within this domain, textile-based wearable sensors have emerged as a particularly promising technology, boasting advantages such as comfort, flexibility, and noninvasiveness. This article provides a meticulous overview of the design and development of textile-based wearable sensors for real-time biomedical monitoring. A comprehensive literature review explores existing wearable sensor technologies, emphasizing the advantages and limitations specific to textile-based sensors. The discussion encompasses considerations for sensor design, selection, and integration into wearable systems, delving into the evaluation of various sensor modalities, textile materials, and fabrication techniques. Signal processing techniques, essential for extracting pertinent biomedical information, and data analysis methods for real-time monitoring are scrutinized. Biocompatibility, comfort, and user acceptance factors are conscientiously considered, alongside thorough discussions on calibration procedures and accuracy assessment methods to ensure the reliability of measurements. The article further explores potential applications of textile-based sensors in real-time biomedical monitoring, encompassing vital signs monitoring, activity tracking, and disease detection. Human factors and user studies are critically examined to comprehend user acceptance, informing design improvements tailored to user needs. Lastly, the article discusses future research directions and challenges, including considerations for durability, washability, and scalability. This comprehensive review aspires to equip researchers and practitioners with invaluable insights into the nuanced realm of textile-based wearable sensors for real-time biomedical monitoring. By fostering advancements in the field, this review aims to facilitate the seamless translation of this cutting-edge technology into clinical practice.