Health sensors that measure heart
rate, blood pressure, sweat and a host of other health indicators are
often bulky and uncomfortable. But scientists are working to create a
super thin wearable that can record data via the user’s skin. The
technology developed by scientists at the University of Tokyo looks like
a gold temporary tattoo and it’s so comfortable, patients have
forgotten they are wearing it.
Medical monitoring occurs generally in hospitals by applying electrodes to the skin via patches attached to wires, connected to bulky machines. While this is ok when patients are in the hospital recovering from surgery or illness, it won’t work at home. Often patients need to keep monitoring their vital signs to measure the success of surgery or their continued improvement. The current design of monitoring equipment can hinder the success of this critical part of health management.
It is still unclear if the technology is hardy enough to withstand serious movement but if the initial results are anything to go by, the next stages will be very exciting.
[Image Source: 2017 SomeyaLaboratory/EurekAlert]
Other wearable skin based sensors are
created using electronics embedded in paper, then stuck on the skin.
The texture of the paper, means it can feel stiff, restrict movement and
inhibit sweating. The new research published earlier this year in Nature describes
how scientists used a material that dissolved in water, leaving only
the circuitry stick to the skin. The electronic art is soft, flexible
and allows unrestricted movement. In the first trial, twenty patients
wore the device without complaints. None of the trial wearable
technology presented signs of wear, nor did the trial participants
complain of itchiness or irritation.
[Image Source: Someya Group Organic Transistor Lab]
In the first trial, twenty patients
wore the device without complaints. None of the trial wearable
technology presented signs of wear, nor did the trial participants
complain of itchiness or irritation.Current health monitoring devices
Skin-based smart interfaces have been circulating for some time now. There have been developments in applications that can allow you to turn your skin into a touchscreen or remotely control your phone. But these leaps forward in medical sensors can be life-saving.Medical monitoring occurs generally in hospitals by applying electrodes to the skin via patches attached to wires, connected to bulky machines. While this is ok when patients are in the hospital recovering from surgery or illness, it won’t work at home. Often patients need to keep monitoring their vital signs to measure the success of surgery or their continued improvement. The current design of monitoring equipment can hinder the success of this critical part of health management.
New device looks like a gold tattoo
This new research devised a system made from polyvinyl alcohol. That is the same material that is in contact lenses and artificial limbs. The material is dipped in gold after being charged by an electrical force called electrospinning. The ‘patch’ is placed on the skin and sprayed with water. The polyvinyl disintegrates but eh gold reads remain. The on skin electronics can then be used for a variety of applications.
[Image Source: Someya Group Organic Transistor Lab]
One initial test was an electromyogram (EMG).
An EMG measures the electrical activity of muscles when they’re at rest
and when they’re being used. Nerve conduction studies measure how well
and how fast the nerves can send electrical signals. Nerves control the
muscles in the body with electrical signals called impulses. The test
was carried out with minimal discomfort to the test subject.
[Image Source: Nature]
While no further testing has been
successfully completed on its medical applications the possibilities are
endless. It could also be used in professional sports applications. It is still unclear if the technology is hardy enough to withstand serious movement but if the initial results are anything to go by, the next stages will be very exciting.
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