A Novel Solution of Monitoring Incontinence Status by Conductive Yarn and Advanced Seamless Knitting Techniques

This paper presents a novel solution for monitoring incontinence status through the design and development of the intelligent incontinence pants by the use of conductive yarns and incorporating advanced circular seamless knitting technology. The produced textile incorporates wire and electrodes by conductive yarn working with a siren system which can monitor, sense and alert the wearer and care provider on the incontinence status in real time so as to reduce the need for manual checking and minimize patient care workload. The engineered stitches, yarn materials, and unique seamless knitting techniques provide soft handling, special fabric mechanisms, and tactile comfort of the resulting product. The electrical resistance of knitted conductive yarn demonstrated a stable performance in wet processing. Fitting body trials were conducted to estimate product dimension and configuration. This study allows us to explore further the potential applications of conductive yarn and seamless knitting technology in bio-functional and intelligent healthcare products and solutions through integrating multidisciplinary knowledge and techniques.