본문으로 바로가기

Research Highlights

Skin-attachable Electric Patch Allows Early Detection of Myocardial Infarction and Arrhythmia

  • Writerkrissadmin
  • Date2022-04-19 00:00
  • Hits805

Skin-attachable Electric Patch Allows Early Detection of Myocardial Infarction and Arrhythmia Through 24-hour Monitoring of ECG and Temperature

 

- KRISS and Sungkyunkwan University develop an electric adhesive patch that allows real-time measurements of ECG and temperature on skin -

- Can be worn for 24 hours without adverse effects, and shows promise for use in medical wearable devices -

 

Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS, President Hyun-Min Park) and Sungkyunkwan University (President Dong Ryeol Shin) developed a medical silicon electric patch that measures biosignals when attached to the skin.

 

The key features of this patch are excellent adhesion without the use of chemical adhesives and stretchable electrodes based on carbon nanofibers. It can be used in medical wearable devices for 24-hour monitoring of biosignals, such as body temperature and ECG. 


KRISS-Sungkyunkwan University joint research team


(From left: Da-wan Kim, KRISS visiting researcher at KRISS; Seung-hwan Jeon, SKKU integrated master’s and doctoral program student; Min-Seok Kim, KRISS principal researcher; Gui-won Hwang, SKKU integrated master’s and doctoral program student; Hyeongho Min, KRISS student researcher; Jinhyung Kim, SKKU integrated master’s and doctoral program student)

 

Medical wearable devices are seeing a growing demand due to population aging, increase in cardiovascular diseases, and expansion of on-line healthcare services. In particular, real-time biosignal monitoring via wearable devices is essential for early detection of symptoms associated with cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, angina, and arrhythmia.

 

Currently available electric patches do not stay attached when their adhesive force weakens due to wets and oils on the skin. Chemical adhesives can address this issue, but may cause skin irritations or allergic reactions. Conductive materials are used to deliver biosignals, but conductivity is easily degraded by their low chemical and thermal durability.

 

    Silicon electric patch fabricated with carbon nanofiber electrodes for high stretchability

 

 To improve upon the aforementioned issues, the joint research team developed an electric patch material with enhanced adhesion even during movement and water penetration by mimicking the microstructure of the forelegs of male diving beetles. The silicon patch can be safely used for long periods on human skin as it is air-permeable and has the ability to drain excess water.

 

Conceptual diagram of the adhesive patch, inspired by the foreleg structures of male diving beetles

 

The stretchable electrode of the proposed carbon nanofiber material maintains conductivity even when skin is folded or stretched. The team enhanced durability by embedding the roots of carbon nanofibers into the silicon surface. The patch does not easily separate from the electrode, ensuring stretchability, conductivity, as well as durability.

 

The team combined the bio-mimic adhesive material, stretchable electrode, and temperature sensor to fabricate a wearable patch. The demonstration showed that the patch remained stably attached after exercise with sweat, and was capable of real-time monitoring of ECG signals and temperature.

 

The proposed patch is expected to simplify the manufacturing process, lower costs, and facilitate mass production.

 

Min-Seok Kim, the head of the KRISS Mechanical Metrology Group, said, Existing medical electric patches were foreign products, and had limited applications in terms of performance. The proposed patch will contribute to remote diagnostics and healthcare, propelling the wearable medical device industry in Korea.

 

Professor Changhyun Pang of Sungkyunkwan University said, We will conduct follow-up research to develop wearable sensors capable of comprehensive diagnostics based on real-time measurements of the four main vital signs—pulse rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, and body temperature—and oxygen saturation.

 

Supported by KRISS and the National Research Foundation of Korea, the research outcomes were published in the international journal Chemical Engineering Journal (IF: 13.273), and featured on the back cover of Advanced Functional Materials (IF: 18.808).

 

Featured on the back cover of Advanced Functional Materials

 


QUICK MENU

QUICK MENU 원하시는 서비스를 클릭하세요!

등록된 퀵메뉴가 없습니다.

등록된 배너가 없습니다.