A fabric-based wearable sensor for continuous monitoring of decubitus ulcer of subjects lying on a bed

Abstract

For multifunctional wearable sensing systems, problems related to wireless and continuous communication and soft, noninvasive, and disposable functionality issues should be solved for precise physiological signal detection. To measure the critical transitions of pressure, temperature, and skin impedance when continuous pressure is applied on skin and tissue, we developed a sensor for decubitus ulcers using conventional analog circuitry for wireless and continuous communication in a disposable, breathable fabric-based multifunctional sensing system capable of conformal contact. By integrating the designed wireless communication module into a multifunctional sensor, we obtained sensing data that were sent sequentially and continuously to a customized mobile phone app. With a small-sized and lightweight module, our sensing system operated over 24 h with a coin-cell battery consuming minimum energy for intermittent sensing and transmission. We conducted a pilot test on healthy subjects to evaluate the adequate wireless operation of the multifunctional sensing system when applied to the body. By solving the aforementioned practical problems, including those related to wireless and continuous communication and soft, noninvasive, and disposable functionality issues, our fabric-based multifunctional decubitus ulcer sensor successfully measured applied pressure, skin temperature, and electrical skin impedance.

Porous Conductive Textiles for Wearable Electronics

“…Health monitoring is one of the most promising applications of wearable electronics, and current research is indeed dedicated to this field. PCT-based sensors that can be comfortably worn on the human body are capable of collecting a variety of health-related data, including activity levels, physiological status, biomarker concentrations, medication metabolites, sleep patterns, etc. − By enabling continuous and timely monitoring of these metrics, wearable sensors can assist in health monitoring, disease diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions. Consequently, such a point-of-care and personalized health-monitoring system would revolutionize the traditional diagnostic process that typically requires going to a hospital.…”

Flourishing electronic textiles towards pervasive, personalized and intelligent healthcare

“…Fabrics woven from such yarns will seamlessly integrate electronic functionality into everyday wearable, comfortable, lightweight garments [19] . The potential of wearable electronic textiles (e-textiles) for noninvasive health monitoring has gained tremendous attention from scientific researchers [20][21][22][23] . Integrating functions such as sensing, monitoring, and therapy into e-textiles of various situations (which can sense external physical stimuli or environmental changes) allows for patient diagnosis, treatment, care, and rehabilitation [24,25] [Figure 1].…”