Wearable sensors can monitor many things, including step count, heart rate, etc. However, they still fall short for evaluating things like the onset of frailty in the older generation, testing the efficiency of a new drug, timely diagnosis of chronic disease, or tracking the performance of athletes. Thus, there is a need for a medical-grade device that would efficaciously accomplish all these tasks.
A research team has developed a "symbiotic device" that can measure all the criteria mentioned above that were not possible before. The wearable device is an incredible innovation for Wearable Electronics Market as it can be custom 3D printed according to the body scans of the users. Further, they can also work perpetually through a combination of compact energy storage and wireless power transfer.
The device is unique with a completely new concept wherein the technology is customized precisely to the person's needs. In addition, it uses wireless power casting to facilitate the device to work continuously without needing a recharge. The team can 3D-print custom-fitted devices that wrap around various body parts. The device can be considered an unnoticeable, lightweight, breathable mesh cuff explicitly designed for one's bicep, calf or torso. Furthermore, since research have gained the ability to specialize in sensor placement, they can now also evaluate psychological parameters which they couldn't before.
The device is user-friendly. If one always wants it close to the core body temperature, place the device in the armpit. Also, if one wants to measure the way their biceps deforms while excursing, the sensors embedded in the device can be customized that way. The method in which the device is fabricated and attached to the body helps gather crucial data, something a traditional wearable device would never achieve.
The new biosymbiotic devices are also susceptible. The team tested their ability to check on parameters like temperature and strain while a participant walked on a treadmill, jumped, and used a rowing machine. In the case of the rowing machine, participants were requested to wear multiple devices so that exercise intensity and muscle deformation could be judged. It was found that the device was highly accurate at identifying body temperature changes resultant of walking a flight of stairs.
The incredible device is a massive feat for the wearable electronics sector. It can be customized and does not need a recharge making it feasible and an attractive device to keep, especially for people of old age, athletes, etc.
