Smart Electronic Sensor for Physiological Monitoring
A novel smart electronic fabric sensor has been developed to monitor physiological signals. The sensor is fabricated by coating a knitted elastic textile band with a conductive layer of reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The knitted elastic textile band comprises inner rubber cores with yarn knitted around them. The elastic band is treated with a graphene oxide (GO) solution to impart conductivity and chemically reduced to form an RGO layer. This sensor exhibits high sensitivity (Gauge Factor) in both low and high strain ranges, enabling the detection of subtle physiological signals like pulse, breathing patterns, and joint movements. The sensor’s ability to maintain signal stability, repeatability, and reliability makes it suitable for integration into garments or independent use as a conductive smart electronic fabric.
Current technologies for monitoring physiological signals, particularly those based on smart electronic textiles (SET), face limitations in sensitivity, stretchability, and adaptability to different environments. Existing methods of fabricating SET strain sensors, such as treating fabrics with conductive materials or knitting with conductive fibers, often struggle to balance design flexibility with scalability for mass production. Additionally, existing sensors might not be sensitive enough to detect subtle physiological signals, impacting their accuracy and reliability. This invention seeks to overcome these limitations and provide a solution for a highly sensitive, reliable, and scalable smart electronic fabric sensor capable of accurately monitoring various physiological signals in various environments.
- Conductive Layer on Elastic Textile Band: The sensor utilizes an elastic textile band treated with a conductive layer of reduced graphene oxide (RGO).
- High Sensitivity (Gauge Factor): The sensor demonstrates a remarkably high Gauge Factor, particularly in the low strain range (ε< 5%), exceeding that of traditional metal strain sensors. This high sensitivity allows it to detect and monitor even subtle deformations and physiological signals accurately.
- Versatility for Physiological Monitoring: The technology enables the development of a non-invasive, smart electronic fabric sensor capable of monitoring various physiological signals, including respiratory rate, heartbeat (radial artery pulse), and even subtle body movements like wrist joint motion.
- Stable and Reliable Performance: The sensor exhibits excellent signal stability, repeatability, and reliability. It returns to its initial state after strain is released, ensuring consistent and accurate measurements over time. It also operates with low noise under a 1V power supply.
- Seamless Integration: The sensor can be seamlessly integrated into garments or used independently as a conductive smart electronic fabric, making it adaptable to various wearable technology applications.
The smart electronic fabric sensor technology presents a significant potential for addressing challenges related to healthcare accessibility and personalized monitoring. This technology can potentially benefit remote patient monitoring, aiding those in underserved communities or with limited access to traditional healthcare. Detecting various body movements supports monitoring patients with mobility impairments and assists in physical rehabilitation. Its effectiveness in both normal and aquatic environments can lead to potential applications in aquatic therapy and sports medicine. Real-time physiological data and smart fabric sensors empower individuals to manage their health proactively, potentially easing the burden on healthcare systems.
The smart electronic fabric sensor, with its high sensitivity and ability to detect both large- and small-scale body movements, is primarily designed for applications in the healthcare and fitness industries. Its ability to monitor physiological signals such as respiratory rate, heartbeat, and radial artery pulse wave makes it suitable for integration into garments or wearable devices for continuous health monitoring. Beyond healthcare, the sensor’s capability to detect motion and deformation could extend its use to sports for tracking athletic performance and movement analysis.