Wearable ECG T-Shirt
A functional wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) prototype integrating skin-contact electrode pads, textile-compatible signal pathways and an electronics connection into a fitted T-shirt. E-Textile Wearables developed the garment as a complete e-textile sensing system rather than simply attaching conventional electrodes to clothing. The work covered electrode-pad construction, body placement, garment integration, conductive pathways, e-textile interconnections, electronics integration and signal testing across two electrode arrangements.
E-Textile Wearables
Development Period: 2024–2025
Client: Confidential
Application: ECG and biopotential-sensing e-textiles
Confidentiality Note
The client’s specific end-use application, algorithms, data-processing methods, commercial strategy, and product-specific requirements are protected under a non-disclosure agreement and have not been disclosed on this page. This case study presents only E-Textile Wearables’ general technologies, development methods, proprietary platforms, and e-textile motion capture expertise.
Conceptual illustration of the ECG T-shirt's interior, showing the electrode locations, conductive pathways, and electronics connections. The actual internal construction is not shown due to NDA restrictions.
A Real image of the Worn ECG T-shirt prototype used to evaluate garment fit and body contact at the sensing locations.
Project Background
The objective was to develop an ECG-sensing garment that could position the required body-contact points through the structure and fit of a T-shirt. The garment needed to support reliable skin contact while routing low-amplitude biopotential signals toward the acquisition electronics without turning the product into a rigid harness or a collection of loose wires.
The prototype used right-arm (RA), left-arm (LA) and driven-reference (RLD) contact locations. Two placement arrangements were evaluated because the position, pressure and orientation of garment-integrated electrodes can materially affect the captured waveform. The development therefore combined textile engineering, electronics integration and test-led placement refinement.
Stage 3 — Conductive Routing and Layer Integration
The electrodes were connected to the electronics interface through garment-compatible pathways. Routing had to account for stretch, bending and the changing distance between body points during wear. The electrode layer, pathway, insulation and connection regions were treated as a stack integration problem so that the electrical function and textile construction could be developed as one system.
Stage 4 — Electronics Connection and Garment Integration
The sensing network was brought to a compact electronics connection positioned away from the principal chest contact areas. The prototype power and controller module supported signal acquisition and test operation while allowing the shirt fit and sensing layout to be assessed as a complete wearable system.
Stage 5 — Placement Trials and Signal Evaluation
The completed prototype was evaluated using two electrode-placement arrangements. Recorded outputs were processed and plotted to compare waveform visibility and the effect of placement on the raw signal amplitude and shape. These trials provided direct engineering feedback for electrode positioning, garment pressure and future signal-conditioning work.
Prototype ECG pad assembly showing the body-contact zones and textile-compatible pathway construction.
Development Scope
Stage 1 — ECG Architecture and Electrode Placement
The first stage defined the sensing architecture and the body locations for the electrode contacts. The layout had to create a usable measurement path while remaining compatible with garment seams, stretch zones and the intended fit of the shirt. Two placement arrangements were retained for comparative signal testing rather than assuming that one body layout would perform adequately in the finished garment.
Stage 2 — Textile and Garment Integration
Skin-contact electrode-pad assemblies were developed for integration with the textile base. The electrode area, backing, local pathway and transition points were considered together so that the contact surface could sit against the body while the surrounding construction remained soft enough for a wearable prototype.
For background on soft conductive material options used across e-textile systems, see our guide to conductive fabrics.
This work connects directly with our textile ECG platform and the ongoing ECG sensor pad characterization platform, which are focused on understanding and improving garment-compatible biopotential interfaces.
Key Engineering Challenges
Maintaining Stable Skin Contact
Unlike an adhesive disposable electrode, a garment-integrated pad relies on garment fit and local pressure to maintain contact. The shirt therefore had to hold the sensing zones against the intended anatomical locations without creating unnecessary compression or discomfort.
Controlling Motion and Contact Artefacts
Breathing, arm movement and fabric displacement can change the electrode-to-skin interface. Placement and fit were therefore critical to improving repeatability and reducing signal changes caused by the garment rather than by the underlying cardiac activity.
Prototype Signal Results
Both tested arrangements produced identifiable ECG waveform features in the captured output. The two traces differed in amplitude and shape, demonstrating why electrode placement and garment contact must be evaluated within the actual wearable construction rather than optimized only on a bench.
The plots below show representative engineering outputs from the prototype. They demonstrate signal-capture feasibility for the integrated garment; they are not calibrated clinical measurements and should not be interpreted as diagnostic results.
Comparison of two three-contact ECG placement arrangements
Detailed signal views from placement 1 (left) and placement 2 (right). The axes show prototype sample index and uncalibrated output amplitude.
Project Progress and Current Status
The project reached a functional high-level prototype stage. The electrode-pad assemblies, garment layout, signal pathways and electronics connection were integrated into the T-shirt, and ECG outputs were captured from two body-placement arrangements.
The work demonstrated the feasibility of capturing ECG signals through a textile-integrated wearable format while also identifying the importance of fit, contact pressure and electrode position. Any next development phase would be defined around the intended application and could include motion-robustness testing, longer wear trials, size-range validation, washability development, electronics miniaturization and application-specific verification. For additional validation context, read why swatch-level wash testing is not enough for e-textiles.
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