All-in-one conformal epidermal patch for multimodal biosensing

A conformal, stretchable, and integrated epidermal patch is developed to simultaneously monitor biophysical biochemical signals via an all-in-one design. Ultrasonic transducers are used cardiovascular status of blood pressure heart rate from the carotid artery, electrochemical sensors detect biomarker levels lactate, caffeine, alcohol sweat glucose interstitial fluid. The counteracting synergistic effects exercise, intake, food caffeine intake on parameters, continuous dynamic physiological monitoring also experimentally validated. Everyone should be offered comprehensive insights into their health status. Regular hospital visits for physical exams remain most common approach. But people, diagnosis rarely or only done with obvious unhealthy symptoms, which severely hampered by sparse medical resources, uncomfortable experiences (such as fasting, nose poking, drawing), long single-test times, expensive costs, etc. Inevitably, many chronic diseases such hypotension, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, respiratory difficult screen in a timely manner, may pose serious threat personal cause individuals skyrocketing expenditures burdens. state-of-the-art on-skin electronics that capable noninvasively, sensitively, readily extracting essential chemical targets offer promising opportunities real-time monitoring.1Ray T.R. Choi J. Bandodkar A.J. Krishnan S. Gutruf P. Tian L. Ghaffari R. Rogers J.A. Bio-integrated wearable systems: review.Chem. Rev. 2019; 119: 5461-5533Crossref PubMed Scopus (456) Google Scholar, 2Zhang Bick M. Xiao X. Chen G. Nashalian A. Leveraging triboelectric nanogenerators bioengineering.Matter. 2021; 4: 845-887Abstract Full Text PDF (72) Scholar These biomedical devices endowed personalized, predictive, preventative, participatory healthcare model serve important emerging technology address aforementioned dilemmas. To date, various categories electronics, tattoo electronic skins, have been extensively sporadically embraced crucial clinical practices. Through these device designs, researchers exploited: (1) arterial pulse, motion, activities; (2) biopotential measure electrocardiogram, electromyogram, electroencephalogram, electrooculography; (3) ions, metabolites, amino acids, hormones, drugs body fluids. Among them, pulse biomarkers concentration critical evaluating individual’s status.3Meng K. Zhao Zhou Y. Wu Zhang He Q. Wang Z. Fan W. Tan et al.A wireless textile-based sensor system self-powered personalized care.Matter. 2020; 2: 896-907Abstract (178) this end, employed piezoresistive, piezoelectric, capacitive, optical, ultrasonic, (BP) (HR). They adopted amperometric enzymatic key metabolites potentiometric ion-selective electrolytes Na+, K+, NH4+, Ca2+, voltammetric heavy metal ions Cu2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, (4) bioaffinity protein, peptides, hormones.4Xu C. Yang Gao Skin-interfaced digital medicine: materials applications.Matter. 1414-1445Abstract (56) Unfortunately, parameters susceptible level fluctuations resulting activities stress, drinking, drug use, can lead sudden sometimes lethal alterations. For example, drop BP increase blood-lactate commonly involves acute deadly septic shock, hypoglycaemia- hyperglycaemia-induced hypotension hypertension risk cardiac diseases, retinopathy, nephropathy diabetes. Consequently, single parameter inadequate meet needs. Thus, become more favorable healthcare. Parallel integration sensing within same will self-monitoring compliance simplify management multiple devices, appearing critically ill premature infants. However, simply integrating together signal crosstalk between two different modalities. Research teams University California, San Diego led Professors Joseph Sheng Xu report BP, HR, glucose, mode.5Sempionatto J.R. Lin Yin De la Paz E. Pei Sonsa-Ard T. de Loyola Silva A.N. Khorshed A.A. F. Tostado N. al.An simultaneous haemodynamic metabolic biomarkers.Nat. Biomed. Eng. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-021-00685-1Crossref (96) This incorporates ultrasonic fluid (ISF) biofluids (Figure 1A). working mechanism multimodal biosensing schematically shown Figure 1B. customized piezoelectric zirconate titanate (PZT) were mounted bonded onto stretchable styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) substrate connected SEBS-based silver ink using solvent-soldering process. deeply embedded central waveforms at neck detecting shifting echo frequencies reflected anterior posterior walls vessels.6Wang Li Hu H. Huang B. Gong al.Monitoring waveform conformal device.Nat. 2018; 687-695Crossref (275) Two screen-printed electrodes conduct iontophoresis (IP) biofluids-inducing delivered epidermis stimulate extraction ISF left side right side.7Kim Sempionatto Imani Hartel M.C. Barfidokht Tang Campbell A.S. Mercier P.P. Simultaneous biosensor platform.Adv. Sci. (Weinh.). 5: 1800880PubMed Meanwhile, three-electrodes systems detection measuring electrical electrode-solution interface. strategic material selection, layout design, fabrication engineering, acoustic was effectively prevented spatially separating both components solid-state ultrasound hydrogel. serpentine-interconnected leveraged reliable mechanical resilience 20% stretching 1C) could conformally attached even large deformation, avoid high contact resistance impedance sensors. On-body evaluation individual systematically tracked biosensing. As result, demonstrated correlated validation methods commercial meters. Further, evaluated real-life scenarios where people usually experience behaviors influences parameters. 1D shows experiment validate performance exercise. increased 1E) compensates oxygen depletion, lactate generates 1F) during hypoxic It therefore demonstrates effect digestion produce energy reservoir, while glycolysis reaction consumes release energy. verified combined 1G). Increased no significant change individuals, whereas increases expected after food. Expectedly, result indicates 1H), 1I) stimuli. better reflect situation activity dynamically conducted 1J). Lower resting post-exercise 1K) values 1L) comparison states intense exercise rest. deconvoluting stimuli servicing mode. incorporated individuals’ prevention team provided following improvements measurement biomarkers. sweat-stimulation step extend operation period perform measurements long-term sweat-stimulating drugs. Multiplexed design helpful multi-analytes monitoring. Perspiration-rate normalize marker readings sweat-suppressive along internal standard (sodium) suggested potential passive sweating dilute ISF. number conditions involved extensive validation. (5) miniaturization patch, artificial-intelligence-aided processing, transmission functionalities on-time therapy.8Zhou Meng Sun al.Sign-to-speech translation machine-learning-assisted arrays.Nat. Electron. 3: 571-578Crossref (220) future endeavors very provide high-quality high-density information regarding status, especially wide-spread challenges like COVID-19 pandemic. new milestone, research great interest significance, providing inspiring paradigm physical, vital, one device. quickly exploit kind additional features involved. First, further consideration permeability, abrasion resistance, persistent adhesion patch. Second, biocompatibility containing lead, conductive ink, organic solvent residues, wearing. Third, rigid PZTs, inevitably undermine stability use. high-frequency alternating current source generating waves exceed normal safe voltage human body, so it necessary explore flexibility electro-acoustic conversion efficiency. Fourth, sensitivity realized smaller amount Fifth, avoiding use meters correlate And finally, whether excitation source, IP method, monitoring, types power sources required, inconvenient ambulatory Compatible supply including flexible batteries, solar cells, biofuel generators, thermoelectrics, radiofrequency, hybrids implemented system.9Chen Smart textiles electricity generation.Chem. 120: 3668-3720Crossref (315) 10Zhang Lv Xiang Tao al.Photo-rechargeable fabrics sustainable robust bioelectronics.Matter. 1260-1269Abstract (140) While race rages on, breakthrough work brings us ever closer truly anyone, anytime, anywhere. interdisciplinary global effort chemistry, physics, physiology moving forward would expected, hold promise sensitivity, stability, flexibility, diverse functionality applications. authors acknowledge Henry Samueli School Engineering Applied Science Department Bioengineering California , Los Angeles, startup support. J.C. acknowledges 2020 Okawa Foundation grant.