Refereed journal article or data article (A1)
Stretchable Composite Acoustic Transducer for Wearable Monitoring of Vital Signs
List of Authors: Cotur Y, Kasimatis M, Kaisti M, Olenik S, Georgiou C, Güder F
Publisher: WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
Publication year: 2020
Journal: Advanced Functional Materials
Journal name in source: ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
Journal acronym: ADV FUNCT MATER
Volume number: 30
Issue number: 16
Number of pages: 7
ISSN: 1616-301X
eISSN: 1616-3028
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201910288
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/Publication/50436476
A highly flexible, stretchable, and mechanically robust low-cost soft composite consisting of silicone polymers and water (or hydrogels) is reported. When combined with conventional acoustic transducers, the materials reported enable high performance real-time monitoring of heart and respiratory patterns over layers of clothing (or furry skin of animals) without the need for direct contact with the skin. The approach enables an entirely new method of fabrication that involves encapsulation of water and hydrogels with silicones and exploits the ability of sound waves to travel through the body. The system proposed outperforms commercial, metal-based stethoscopes for the auscultation of the heart when worn over clothing and is less susceptible to motion artefacts. The system both with human and furry animal subjects (i.e., dogs), primarily focusing on monitoring the heart, is tested; however, initial results on monitoring breathing are also presented. This work is especially important because it is the first demonstration of a stretchable sensor that is suitable for use with furry animals and does not require shaving of the animal for data acquisition.
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