Development of Wireless ECG Clothing for Dogs with Improved Signal Detection

This study sought to develop clothing for a companion animal that can provide stable ECG measurements. A pattern for the smart clothing of a companion dog was manufactured using the replica method to select a location and method that best suited the stable measurement of ECG and improved the clothing's fitness. The smart clothing was developed as the following three types: strap type, top type, and combined top and vest type with a detachable wireless ECG monitor. The detection abilities of these were observed using the PQRST rate taken after ECG measurements while the three companion dogs were tested while resting and moving. The results revealed that apart from using an electrode, applying a gel pad is the most effective way to achieve stable ECG measurements, and the central chest region is more reliable than the left armpit for providing steady readings. The combined top and vest type showed the highest average ECG PQRST detection number, meaning that the ECG signal measurement was steady. These results may contribute to the measurement of ECG in smartwear for U-Healthcare to measure other biometric data of a companion dog.