Scientists create self-powered heart monitor that can be fixed into skin

Scientists have created a new human-friendly, self-powered heart monitor that can easily be taped to the skin and take measurements from the outside.

Riken Institute's scientists have discovered an innovative ultra-flexible, human-friendly organic sensor that is powered by sunlight and functions as a self-powered heart monitor.

A sensory device is called an organic electrochemical transistor, which measure a variety of biological functions and was integrated into a flexible organic solar cell. This self-powered device is able to fit directly on human skin or tissue and such devices have a range of biological functions.

Researchers develop glue that seals wounds in seconds

In the first experiment, the researchers used the new device to monitor heartbeats of rats. In the second experiment, the device was used to access human heartbeat successfully, under bright light conditions. The trials showed that the device is appropriate for medical applications, such as using in physiological sensors for real-time heart monitoring, or maybe for brain function with future moderation, as per Digital Journal.

As per the research published in the journal Nature, lead researcher Kenjiro Fukuda said, “This is a nice step forward in the quest to make self-powered medical monitoring devices that can be placed on human tissue.”

Science Daily reported, the device worked great at a lighting level of 10,000 lux, equivalent to the light seen in the shade on a clear sunny day. The device also experience less noise than similar device that are connected to batteries.

For the future, the scientists will focus on the digital silicon-based portion of the device in order to enable more effective transmission of data to remote devices. This will in turn allow medical data to be analyzed from various points or to shared across devices.