Self‐Powered Real‐Time Arterial Pulse Monitoring Using Ultrathin Epidermal Piezoelectric Sensors. Issue 37 (17th July 2017) - Park, Dae Yong
Abstract : Continuous monitoring of an arterial pulse using a pressure sensor attached on the epidermis is an important technology for detecting the early onset of cardiovascular disease and assessing personal health status. Conventional pulse sensors have the capability of detecting human biosignals, but have significant drawbacks of power consumption issues that limit sustainable operation of wearable medical devices. Here, a self‐powered piezoelectric pulse sensor is demonstrated to enable in vivo measurement of radial/carotid pulse signals in near‐surface arteries. The inorganic piezoelectric sensor on an ultrathin plastic achieves conformal contact with the complex texture of the rugged skin, which allows to respond to the tiny pulse changes arising on the surface of epidermis. Experimental studies provide characteristics of the sensor with a sensitivity (≈0.018 kPa −1 ), response time (≈60 ms), and good mechanical stability. Wireless transmission of detected arterial pressure signals to a smart phone demonstrates the possibility of self‐powered and real‐time pulse monitoring system. Abstract : A self‐powered, flexible, and piezoelectric pressure sensor for real‐time arterial pulse monitoring is demonstrated on ultrathin substrates via an inorganic‐based laser lift‐off process. The ultrathin self‐powered sensor with good sensitivity of 0.018 kPa −1 adheres to human epidermis and successfully detects arterial pulse and respiration. Finally, pulse signals are wirelessly transmitted to a smart phone for realizing wearable healthcare sensors.