Wireless, multimodal sensors for continuous measurement of pressure, temperature, and hydration of patients in wheelchair

• Published in: Npj flexible electronics Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 8 - 15
• Main Authors: Cho, Seokjoo, Han, Hyeonseok, Park, Hyunwoo, Lee, Sung-Uk, Kim, Jae-Hwan, Jeon, Sung Woo, Wang, Mengqiu, Avila, Raudel, Xi, Zhaoqian, Ko, Kabseok, Park, Minsu, Lee, Jungyup, Choi, Myungwoo, Lee, Je-Sang, Min, Weon Gi, Lee, Byeong-Ju, Lee, Soyeong, Choi, Jungrak, Gu, Jimin, Park, Jaeho, Kim, Min Seong, Ahn, Junseong, Gul, Osman, Han, Chankyu, Lee, Gihun, Kim, Seunghwan, Kim, Kyuyoung, Kim, Jeonghyun, Kang, Chang-Mo, Koo, Jahyun, Kwak, Sung Soo, Kim, Sungbong, Choi, Dong Yun, Jeon, Seokwoo, Sung, Hyung Jin, Park, Yong Bae, Je, Minkyu, Cho, Young Tae, Oh, Yong Suk, Park, Inkyu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 10.02.2023; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 639/166/987; 639/301/357/995; Chemistry and Materials Science; Clinical trials; Computer engineering; Cushions; Electronics and Microelectronics; Energy harvesting; Galvanic skin response; Hospitals; Hydration; Injuries; Injury prevention; Instrumentation; Materials Science; Mechanical engineering; Optical and Electronic Materials; Paralysis; Physiology; Polymer Sciences; Pressure sensors; Prevention; Rehabilitation; Science; Sensitivity enhancement; Sensors; Skin; Skin temperature; Temperature sensors; Ulcers; Wheelchairs; Wireless communications
• ISSN: 2397-4621; 2397-4621
• DOI: 10.1038/s41528-023-00238-3

Individuals who are unable to walk independently spend most of the day in a wheelchair. This population is at high risk for developing pressure injuries caused by sitting. However, early diagnosis and prevention of these injuries still remain challenging. Herein, we introduce battery-free, wireless, multimodal sensors and a movable system for continuous measurement of pressure, temperature, and hydration at skin interfaces. The device design includes a crack-activated pressure sensor with nanoscale encapsulations for enhanced sensitivity, a temperature sensor for measuring skin temperature, and a galvanic skin response sensor for measuring skin hydration levels. The movable system enables power harvesting, and data communication to multiple wireless devices mounted at skin-cushion interfaces of wheelchair users over full body coverage. Experimental evaluations and numerical simulations of the devices, together with clinical trials for wheelchair patients, demonstrate the feasibility and stability of the sensor system for preventing pressure injuries caused by sitting.