Introduction to Textile Computing®
At Myant, we asked a fundamental question: Textiles touch nearly 100% of our bodies, 100% of the time. What if they could do more?
This simple insight sparked a revolution in how we think about health monitoring. Rather than asking patients to attach foreign medical devices to their bodies, we developed technology that transforms everyday garments into intelligent health interfaces.
Textile Computing® is our proprietary platform that integrates biosensors, electronics, and connectivity directly into comfortable, washable fabrics. The result is health monitoring that feels like wearing normal clothing—because it essentially is.
The Core Innovation:
- Conductive fibers woven directly into fabric
- Medical-grade signal quality without adhesives
- Washable, durable, and designed for daily wear
- Integration of sensors and processing
The Problem with Traditional Monitors
Traditional Holter monitors have served cardiac patients for decades, but they come with significant limitations that impact both patient experience and clinical outcomes.
Patient Compliance Challenges:
Traditional monitoring systems use adhesive gel electrodes that can cause:
- Skin irritation and allergic reactions
- Discomfort that limits daily activities
- Visibility issues affecting patient dignity
- Electrode detachment requiring reapplication
Studies show that up to 30% of extended Holter studies are compromised by poor data quality or incomplete wearing time due to patient discomfort.
Clinical Limitations:
- Data gaps: Electrode disconnection creates gaps in continuous monitoring
- Activity restrictions: Patients often avoid exercise and bathing
- Limited duration: Discomfort typically limits monitoring to 24-48 hours
- Skin damage: Adhesive removal can cause skin trauma, especially in elderly patients
The Result: Critical cardiac events are missed because patients cannot tolerate wearing monitors long enough to capture intermittent arrhythmias.
How Dry Electrodes Work
Our dry electrode technology represents a fundamental shift in biosignal acquisition. Unlike wet electrodes that rely on conductive gel to bridge the skin-electrode interface, dry electrodes use advanced materials science to achieve stable, high-quality contact without any preparation.
Advanced Materials Science
SKIIN™ garments incorporate proprietary conductive yarns developed through years of materials research:
Conductive Fiber Composition:
- Silver-coated polymer fibers for optimal conductivity
- Biocompatible materials tested for extended skin contact
- Antimicrobial properties for hygiene during extended wear
- Flexibility that matches natural textile drape and movement
Electrode Architecture:
- Multi-point contact design distributes pressure evenly
- Stretch-integrated patterns maintain contact during movement
- Strategic placement based on cardiac signal mapping
- Redundant sensor arrays for signal reliability
Signal Quality & Accuracy
Achieving medical-grade signal quality with dry electrodes requires sophisticated signal processing:
Real-Time Processing:
- Motion artifact detection: Advanced algorithms identify and compensate for movement
- Baseline stabilization: Continuous adjustment maintains signal integrity
- Noise reduction: Multiple filtering stages clean raw signals
- Quality scoring: Automated assessment ensures clinical reliability
Technical Specifications:
- Sample rate: 256 Hz (clinical standard)
- Resolution: 16-bit ADC for precise waveform capture
- Frequency response: 0.05-40 Hz (diagnostic bandwidth)
- Input impedance: >10 MΩ for minimal signal loading
Clinical Validation Studies
Our technology has undergone rigorous clinical validation to ensure it meets the same accuracy standards as traditional Holter systems.
Key Study Results:
Arrhythmia Detection Accuracy (2024 Study)
- 847 patients across 12 clinical sites
- 98.7% sensitivity for atrial fibrillation detection
- 99.2% specificity (low false positive rate)
- Equivalent performance to gel electrode systems
Patient Compliance Study (2024)
- 94% completion rate for 14-day monitoring
- Average daily wear time: 22.3 hours
- Zero reported cases of skin irritation
- 96% patient satisfaction rating
Signal Quality Assessment
- Independent laboratory testing confirmed diagnostic-grade ECG quality
- Peer-reviewed publications in Journal of the American Heart Association
- Presented at Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions
Canadian Manufacturing Excellence
Every SKIIN™ garment is designed and manufactured in our vertically integrated facility in Mississauga, Ontario. This approach ensures quality control at every step of production.
Our Manufacturing Capabilities:
- Yarn Production: Proprietary conductive yarns developed in-house
- Textile Engineering: Advanced knitting and weaving for sensor integration
- Electronics Assembly: Medical device grade component integration
- Quality Assurance: ISO 13485 certified processes
Why Canadian Manufacturing Matters:
- Quality Control: Direct oversight of every production stage
- Rapid Innovation: Short feedback loops between R&D and production
- Supply Chain Resilience: Reduced dependency on international logistics
- Job Creation: Contributing to Ontario's advanced manufacturing sector
Certifications:
- Health Canada Class II Medical Device License
- ISO 13485 Quality Management System
- HIPAA and PIPEDA compliant data handling
- CE marking (in progress for European markets)
The Future of Wearable Health
Textile Computing® extends far beyond cardiac monitoring. Our platform enables a new paradigm of continuous, comfortable health sensing.
Emerging Applications:
- Respiratory monitoring: Breathing patterns and respiratory rate
- Activity tracking: Clinical-grade movement analysis
- Temperature sensing: Core body temperature trends
- Hydration status: Bioimpedance-based hydration monitoring
The Vision:
We envision a future where your clothing serves as an always-on guardian for your health. Rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe enough to warrant a doctor's visit, your garments could detect subtle changes that indicate emerging health issues.
This is preventative healthcare at its most fundamental: technology that protects you simply by being worn.
Your Digital Thread™ is the continuous story of your health, woven from the data collected by your garments every day. It represents a complete picture, not just snapshots—enabling both you and your healthcare providers to make better, more informed decisions.
Learn more about how SKIIN™ technology is helping patients across Ontario detect cardiac issues earlier. Contact us to find a participating clinic near you.
