Smart vest could protect elderly from hypothermia

A new technology aims to mitigate the increased risk that elderly people face due to losing body heat faster, having impaired temperature regulation, chronic conditions, medications and frailty.

Led by Dr Theo Hughes-Riley of Nottingham Trent University’s (NTU) Advanced Textiles Research Group (ATRG), the research centres on four miniature thermistors that are embedded into the yarn of the vest to detect sustained changes in body temperature.

The thermistors – which are 1mm long and 0.5mm wide – are connected to a microcontroller via Bluetooth which allows real-time data to be transmitted to a mobile phone or other device and could raise the alarm if abnormal readings persist over time.

Encapsulated in resin to make them fully washable, and covered in a polyester braid, the thermistors are placed at key parts of the body, with two on the chest and two on the scapula, but cannot be felt by the wearer.

A prototype has been tested across a range of everyday movements, such as sitting, walking, jumping and reaching, to ensure it responds accurately in real-world use.

The data collected during the trials revealed unique temperature change patterns that could help identify abnormal physiological responses before they become dangerous.

“Hypothermia is a very dangerous condition, particularly for those who are elderly and live alone without anyone to raise the alarm for them should they become ill,” said Dr Hughes-Riley, of the Nottingham School of Art & Design.

“By combining electronic textiles with an everyday garment such as a vest, carers and medical professionals would be able to respond immediately to any detected risk and help save the lives of older people who may need urgent support.”

The thermistors, placed on flat contact surfaces, help maintain a consistent connection with the skin, operate on a semiconductor principle where resistance decreases as temperature increases.

They are calibrated specifically for the yarns used in the vest, and the data they give are inferred to estimate core body temperature in the wearer.

Senior research fellow Dr Arash Moghaddassian Shahidi said: “By utilising smart textiles technology in this way, we can help ensure that vulnerable older people are monitored around the clock for serious health conditions like hypothermia, where it is paramount that they receive urgent treatment.”

PhD researcher Kalana Marasinghe, who tested the prototype, added: “This research shows how smart textiles have the potential save people’s lives by providing carers and clinicians with real-time data about a person’s health to help ensure they receive appropriate treatment.”