Wearable Technology

Electronic skin patches are being increasingly adopted for use by hospitals and at home. A key sensor used by these electronic skin patches is the temperature sensor, which is a vital indicator of various conditions such as infection and fever, stress, circadian rhythm, ovulation/menstrual cycle, fatigue, depression, insomnia, metabolic function, and more. By using electronic skin patches as a form factor for temperature monitoring, the device can bring value for use cases such as COVID-19 fever monitoring or foetal temperature monitoring. In this premium article, IDTechEx looks at the applications, technology, and players for temperature monitoring in electronic skin patches.

This presentation was given by IDTechEx Technology Analyst Sam Dale at the TechConnect 2022 event.

Isansys develop a general patient monitoring platform, including an electronic skin patch and algorithm driven user interface.

Philips BioTelemetry produce electronic skin patches for cardiac rhythm monitoring.

Forecasts taken from IDTechEx report "Electronic Skin Patches 2023-2033"

iRhythm are the leaders in skin patches for extended Holter monitoring and mobile cardiac telemetry.

The Surgical Company makes Sensium, a wireless patient monitoring system with electronic skin patches.

Thursday 3 November 2022 - This webinar will break down the complex landscape of sensor types, biometrics, and form factors; highlight innovations in electrode integration; discuss optical sensing advancements; and overview opportunities and challenges for microneedles as wearable sensors

Brain activity has traditionally been assessed using large and often expensive technology that has limited its use to specific clinical settings. Small wearable devices that can assess brain activity are hoped to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of brain diseases like dementia or depression.

Sensor laden wearable systems hold great promise for wide range of applications including health monitoring, rehabilitation, electronic skin in robotics, environment monitoring, Internet of Things etc. Often these applications, require cost-effective disposable sensors either for short-term or for single measurements. Single use sensors in wearables could also help overcome the typical challenges related to washability.

IDUN Technologies is a Zürich-based company incorporating neurotechnology into wearable devices.

A presentation given by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, looking at its high moisture permeable on-skin sheet electrodes.

A new type of insect-repellent delivery device has been developed by scientists. With the help of a 3D printer, the active ingredient is first "encapsulated" and formed into the desired shape, such as a ring, which can then be worn and releases an agent designed to repel mosquitoes for a long time.

Ultraleap, originally Leap Motion and Ultrahaptics, specializes in haptic technology.

PragmatIC is a UK-based company developing flexible integrated circuits on polymer substrates. It has received a total of ~US$150 million in funding and is focused on scaling up its technology, which is already commercially available at a low cost.

Textile engineers have developed a fabric woven out of ultra-fine nano-threads made in part of phase-change materials and other advanced substances that combine to produce a fabric that can respond to changing temperatures to heat up and cool down its wearer depending on need.

LifeSignals designs chips for wearable sensors and electronic skin patches for patient vital sign monitoring.

Researchers have developed an electroencefalography electrode that patients wear on their head to monitor brain activity. The EEG electrodes system could act as a brain-computer interface, which can be controlled by brain signals to help repair damage to the brain caused by strokes and other disorders.

Cosinuss develops in-ear vital sign monitoring devices.