Skin‐Integrated Devices with Soft, Holey Architectures for Wireless Physiological Monitoring, With Applications in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Issue 44 (12th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kwak, Sung Soo; Yoo, Seonggwang; Avila, Raudel; Chung, Ha Uk; Jeong, Hyoyoung; Liu, Claire; Vogl, Jamie L.; Kim, Joohee; Yoon, Hong‐Joon; Park, Yoonseok; Ryu, Hanjun; Lee, Geumbee; Kim, Jihye; Koo, Jahyun; Oh, Yong Suk; Kim, Sungbong; Xu, Shuai; Zhao, Zichen; Xie, Zhaoqian; Huang, Yonggang; Rogers, John A.
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 33:Issue 44(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-09-12
• Subjects: electrocardiogram -- neonates -- pediatrics -- physiological monitoring -- soft electronics -- wireless wearables; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202103974
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: Continuous monitoring of vital signs is an essential aspect of operations in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units (NICUs and PICUs), of particular importance to extremely premature and/or critically ill patients. Current approaches require multiple sensors taped to the skin and connected via hard‐wired interfaces to external data acquisition electronics. The adhesives can cause iatrogenic injuries to fragile, underdeveloped skin, and the wires can complicate even the most routine tasks in patient care. Here, materials strategies and design concepts are introduced that significantly improve these platforms through the use of optimized materials, open (i.e., "holey") layouts and precurved designs. These schemes 1) reduce the stresses at the skin interface, 2) facilitate release of interfacial moisture from transepidermal water loss, 3) allow visual inspection of the skin for rashes or other forms of irritation, 4) enable triggered reduction of adhesion to reduce the probability for injuries that can result from device removal. A combination of systematic benchtop testing and computational modeling identifies the essential mechanisms and key considerations. Demonstrations on adult volunteers and on a neonate in an operating NICUs illustrate a broad range of capabilities in continuous, clinical‐grade monitoring of conventional vital signs, and unconventional indicators of health status. Abstract : Material strategies and design concepts, including holey architectures, precurved layouts, and structured hydrogel adhesives, are introduced for thin, soft wireless devices that can continuously monitor vital signs in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. They enable mechanical and geometrical advantages, soft release of devices from the skin, improved permeability, and visual inspection of the skin through holes.