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This output is composed of a UK patent for a knitted ECG electrode, GB2444203(B) granted in April 2011. Hurley contributed creative technical knowledge to the multi-disciplinary team through workshop-based research. Hundreds of iterations of materials, designs and tests were experimented with, to reach an optimum solution. The methodology is explained in a refereed journal paper: Dias, T., Hurley, W., Monaragala, R. and Wijeyesiriwardana, R. (2008) 'Development Of Electrically Active Knitted Structures'. Advances In Science & Technology, 60, pp.74 -84

The IP is also protected through an international patent publication WO2007/036741, and patents pending in China (CA2623171), USA (US2009203984) EU (EP1976429) and Australia (AU2006296395).

ECG (Electrocardiography) measurements can be used for remote monitoring of elderly patients, as well as general sports and well-being applications. The measurements are generally conducted by attaching a pair of silver/silver chloride electrodes with a conductive gel across the heart, known as a wet electrode system. Hurley’s research developed the world’s first dry electrode system by integrating the monitoring sensor into the knit structure, using advanced 3D knitting technology, empowering the patients by allowing mobile monitoring. This fabric is washable and can be mass produced with existing industrial knitting technology. This is the first invention of this nature globally, as demonstrated by the patent.

Smart Life Technology funded the research and has been employing this development worldwide since 2008 in their health monitoring vest. The technology can be used in ECG and EMG (Electromyography) monitoring as well as a number of other applications, for example electro-simulation of the muscles.