This article adopted by:- BOSTON
Dec. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Wearable technology with sensing functionality is emerging as a highly promising application for printed/flexible electronics. Deployed either as skin patch or embedded within an e-textile, these devices enable parameters such as heart rate and temperature to be recorded in real-time and then transmitted wirelessly. With such clear benefits, IDTechEx estimate that the wearable skin patch market for healthcare applications will reach around $4 bn by 2030. Printed/flexible electronics is extremely well suited to wearable skin patches due to its low weight, flexibility/conformality, and potential for high-throughput, low-cost manufacturing of these disposable items.
Figure 1: Transition to continuous monitoring via skin patches. Source: IDTechEx
Need for continuous monitoring
A major trend in the healthcare sector is a shift towards continuous monitoring, which brings multiple benefits. Firstly, rather than attending a doctor’s surgery or hospital for a check-up, the patient can remain at home. The current COVID-19 situation has emphasized this benefit since patients can have their temperature measured remotely without having to interact with healthcare professionals and thus risk transmitting or acquiring the virus.
Monitoring electrical signals
Monitoring electrical signals is an important use case for wearable skin patches. This can include electrocardiograms (ECG) for investigating the heart, electromyography (EMG) for recording electrical signals from muscles, and even detecting brain activity in epileptic patients.
Pressure and strain sensing
Aside from monitoring electrical signals, both pressure and strain can be measured using printed/flexible sensors. For example, incorporating a conformal thin film piezoresistive sensor can continuously measure the pressure being applied by bandages and alert medical staff if the bandage needs adjusting. Maintaining an appropriate pressure is important: too loose and it is entirely pointless, too tight and it unnecessarily restricts blood flow to the affected region.
Wound monitoring
Currently in its early stages of development, wound monitoring is another promising medical application for printed/flexible electronics. At present, the only way to check a wound is to remove the dressing – by integrating sensors and electronics, the healing process can be monitored in real-time without the dressing being removed
Flexible hybrid electronics
At present most of the electronics for signal processing and communication used in wearable skin patches and e-textiles are contained within a rigid plastic box. While this provides protection and is required to enclose a conventional rigid PCB, it adds bulk and makes the patch or clothing uncomfortable to wear.
check out here:- https://www.instamojo.com/prem91sagar/e-textiles-starter-kit/?ref=store