Portable, stretchable skin patch provides continuous hospital-level blood pressure monitoring off-site
A groundbreaking development in the field of healthcare technology has been unveiled by researchers at Seoul National University (SNU). They have created a skin-mounted electronic patch that can continuously monitor blood pressure, providing real-time data without the need for a traditional bulky cuff.
The innovative patch, which looks and feels like a bandage, adheres naturally to the skin, typically on the fingertip. Key to its operation is a highly sensitive, flexible sensor made from liquid metal. This sensor, conductive and elastic like human skin, is shaped into precise circuits using laser sintering.
The liquid metal circuit within the patch maintains its performance while stretching (up to seven times its size) and enduring repeated bending. This flexibility enables stable and reliable readings during daily activities such as movement or sleep. As a result, the patch offers hospital-grade accuracy comparable to, or better than, traditional cuff-based monitors, especially in capturing dynamic blood pressure changes during exercise or rest.
One of the significant advantages of this new device is its potential for long-term, continuous monitoring outside clinical settings. This capability could significantly improve hypertension management for the over 1.3 billion people globally affected by high blood pressure.
In summary, this wearable patch leverages precise detection of pulse wave delays via flexible liquid metal sensors on the skin to continuously measure blood pressure accurately. By replacing the cumbersome cuff approach with a comfortable, portable device, it promises to revolutionize how hypertension is tracked in daily life.
The study, published in the journal Advanced Materials, is just the beginning. Co-first authors Jung Jae Park and Sangwoo Hong are working on integrating the patch with new materials, wireless communication, and AI-driven analysis. The goal is to make the technology more practical and widely accessible.
The patch could be particularly useful for patients with hypertension, enabling them to track their condition anytime and anywhere. It could also be adapted for intensive care monitoring, workplace safety, and personal health tracking. SNU expects the innovation to accelerate the shift toward smart healthcare.
In tests, the patch accurately tracked rapid changes in blood pressure before and after exercise, performing better than a standard cuff. It could help athletes and fitness enthusiasts by monitoring how blood pressure responds to training. With further development, this revolutionary technology could potentially transform the way we monitor and manage our health.
- The innovation in mechanical engineering at Seoul National University (SNU) involves a skin-mounted electronic patch that is conveniently equipped with robotics, allowing for continuous monitoring of blood pressure.
- The wearable patch, which integrates science and technology, offers hospital-grade accuracy comparable to traditional cuff-based monitors, proving to be particularly useful in medical-conditions like hypertension.
- The technology behind the patch, using flexible liquid metal sensors on the skin, is expected to revolutionize health-and-wellness by providing real-time, comfortable, and portable solutions for blood pressure monitoring.
- As researchers continue to innovate and integrate AI-driven analysis, wireless communication, and new materials, the patch's potential applications expand to intensive care monitoring, workplace safety, and personal health tracking.