Podcast: Smart Health Tracking Tattoos

Daniel Mitchell

fromThe Next Byte

16 Nov, 2022

In this episode, we talk about the tattoo-like flexible wearable technology that’ll provide seamless high precision health monitoring for patients and enthusiasts.

In this episode, we talk about the tattoo-like flexible wearable technology that’ll provide seamless high precision health monitoring for patients and enthusiasts.

This podcast is sponsored by Mouser Electronics.

EPISODE NOTES

(3:10) - Printed Bioelectronic Patches

This episode was brought to you by Mouser, our favorite place to get electronic components for any project. Click HERE to learn more about how nanotechnology is enabling the future of flexible wearables.

As always, you can find these and other interesting & impactful engineering articles on Wevolver.com.

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Mass producing wearable biosensors

As wearable electronic devices continue to be more prevalent, it becomes an ever-greater challenge for companies that manufacture them to keep their competitive edge. It is vitally important for manufacturers that each device is effective, cost-efficient and reflects the highest quality available.

Khasha Ghaffarzadeh

fromTechBlick

18 Oct, 2022

Biomedical Devices

- healthcare

- Printed Electronics

- wearable

- wearables

Mass producing wearable biosensors:

To cost effectively mass produce wearable biosensors, vertical integration and assembly operations is key. Having the ability to print conductive inks on flexible substrates and fully perform converting operations (such as lamination of medical grade hydrocolloids, adhesives, non-woven and foam layers, hydrogel dispensing and or placement and final packaging) in SMT components and any connections on the non-patient side of the patch (ensures patient comfort). Have been successful in .010” diameter via hole print filling in order to have continuity between skin contact and a assumed communication device.

Technologies Used to Manufacture Biosensors

Process for manufacturing biosensors employ screen printing, laser cutting, lamination, and adhesives. Screen printing of various conductive inks, such as but not limited to silver, silver/silver-chloride, carbon, zinc, gold, dielectric, etc. In addition, Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) is used if components are required. There are several key converting processes, including die-cutting, lamination of medical grade foams and adhesives, as well as the dispensing and placement of medical grade hydrogels and final packaging. The role of printing through holes methods, which allow for connections between the top and bottom printed circuits and up to 6 layers per side.

Majority of applications, biosensor manufacturing involves a supply chain of companies since few companies possess all the necessary capabilities. Required functions in detail as follows:

Circuit/Electrode printing

Sheet or R2R
Typically, 2 to 5 print passes
Oven drying or UV curing after each print pass

- Oven dwell typically ≤10 minutes ≤140°C

Slip sheet or interleaf may be required to prevent ink rub-off since

Image: Lincoln Laboratory researcher James Balcius tests the heat strain detection device. The smartwatch displays a thumbs-up and green background, indicating that he is not at risk of heat injury at this time. Photo: Glen Cooper

New device detects heat strain in military trainees

In the intensity of basic training, a smartwatch-based system warns recruits when they are at risk of heat injury.

07 Feb, 2022

This article was first published on MIT News.

In 2020, more than 2,000 U.S. service members experienced heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Such injuries pose a "significant and persistent threat to both the health of U.S. military members and the effectiveness of military operations," according to a recent military health report. Young or inexperienced recruits are especially vulnerable.

A new device from MIT Lincoln Laboratory can now alert trainees when they are heading toward injury. The device continuously estimates a person's core body temperature to determine their risk level for heat strain as they train. This risk is communicated on a smartwatch display, providing early warning to its wearer.

"Heat injury is a preventable injury if you know how to look for it," says James Balcius, who leads the program. A biomedical researcher in the Human Health and Performance Systems Group, Balcius joined Lincoln Laboratory following 30 years of military service. "The services have these injuries in the hundreds each year, and annually a number of service members have died from this. Trainers and medics could benefit from tools that provide a warning of an impending heat casualty. That's why we're developing this technology."

The system is made up of a few components. First, an armband sensor measures the trainee's heart rate. Those heart rate data are sent via Bluetooth to a smartwatch. Installed on the watch, a Lincoln Laboratory-developed app runs an algorithm that uses the data to estimate core body temperature. Depending on those results, the smartwatch will display a visual icon (a stop sign, danger sign, or thumbs up) with a colored background (red, yellow, or green) and emit an audible tone to alert users if they are overheating.

"It doesn’t mean that everyone who goes into the red will get injured, but there's a higher probability that they will, so they need to take a break," Balcius says.

Podcast: Smart Health Tracking Tattoos

In this episode, we talk about the tattoo-like flexible wearable technology that’ll provide seamless high precision health monitoring for patients and enthusiasts.

EPISODE NOTES

Mass producing wearable biosensors:

Technologies Used to Manufacture Biosensors

Design Challenges in Consumer and Medical Wearables

Biomedical Instruments and the Future of Digital Healthcare

Blood pressure e-tattoo promises continuous, unobtrusive monitoring

In this episode, we talk about the tattoo-like flexible wearable technology that’ll provide seamless high precision health monitoring for patients and enthusiasts.

EPISODE NOTES

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