Smart underpants that could save lives
Jun 16, 2010
<b>Grain of Science</b><br>A team of US scientists has designed some new men’s briefs that may be comfortable, durable and even stylish but, unlike most underpants, may be able to save lives.
Grain of Science
A team of US scientists has designed some new men’s briefs that may be comfortable, durable and even stylish but, unlike most underpants, may be able to save lives.
Printed on the waistband and in constant contact with the skin is an electronic bio-sensor, designed to measure blood pressure, heart rate and other vital signs. The technology, developed by nano-engineering professor, Joseph Wang of University of California San Diego and his team, breaks new ground in the field of intelligent textiles and is part of a shift in focus in healthcare from hospital-based treatment to home-based management.
The method is similar to conventional screen-printing although the ink contains carbon electrodes. The project is being funded by the US military with American troops likely to be the first recipients.
“This specific project involves monitoring the injury of soldiers during battlefield surgery and the goal is to develop minimally invasive sensors that can locate, in the field, and identify the type of injury,†Wang said.
Ultimately, the bio-sensor that detects an injury will also be able to direct the release of drugs to relieve pain and treat the wound. But the technology’s range of application goes beyond the military. It can also help in the monitoring of the elderly at home, monitoring a wide range of bio-medical markers, like cardiac markers, alerting for any potential stroke, diabetic changes and other changes related to other bio-medical scenario, Wang said.
Wearable bio-sensors can also provide valuable information to athletes or measure blood alcohol levels.
A team of US scientists has designed some new men’s briefs that may be comfortable, durable and even stylish but, unlike most underpants, may be able to save lives.
Printed on the waistband and in constant contact with the skin is an electronic bio-sensor, designed to measure blood pressure, heart rate and other vital signs. The technology, developed by nano-engineering professor, Joseph Wang of University of California San Diego and his team, breaks new ground in the field of intelligent textiles and is part of a shift in focus in healthcare from hospital-based treatment to home-based management.
The method is similar to conventional screen-printing although the ink contains carbon electrodes. The project is being funded by the US military with American troops likely to be the first recipients.
“This specific project involves monitoring the injury of soldiers during battlefield surgery and the goal is to develop minimally invasive sensors that can locate, in the field, and identify the type of injury,†Wang said.
Ultimately, the bio-sensor that detects an injury will also be able to direct the release of drugs to relieve pain and treat the wound. But the technology’s range of application goes beyond the military. It can also help in the monitoring of the elderly at home, monitoring a wide range of bio-medical markers, like cardiac markers, alerting for any potential stroke, diabetic changes and other changes related to other bio-medical scenario, Wang said.
Wearable bio-sensors can also provide valuable information to athletes or measure blood alcohol levels.