Filaments-biosensors

Americans have developed a "smart" thread for medical diagnostics

Vasily Sychev, N+1

Researchers from Tufts University have developed "smart" threads that can be used to remove various medical indicators from patients. The scientists' work has been published in Microsystems & Nanoengineering (Mostafalu et al., A toolkit of thread-based microfluidics, sensors, and electronics for 3D tissue embedding for medical diagnostics), and a summary of it is provided in a university report (Researchers invent “smart" thread that collects diagnostic data when sutured into tissue). The measurements obtained by the "smart" threads can then be transmitted via Bluetooth to various equipment, including smartphones.

"Smart" threads consist of fibers of ordinary medical threads and the finest polymer-based sensor threads woven into them. Such filaments, depending on their properties, change the electrical conductivity. Using this quality, it becomes possible to measure blood pressure, body temperature, blood acidity and glucose content.

The researchers proposed to sew "smart" threads into the skin of patients for constant monitoring of various indicators. All threads should be connected to a small module placed on the patient's skin. Such a module supplies voltage to the threads and measures the change in electrical conductivity, and then transmits the data to the smartphone.

The first tests of "smart" threads on animals have already been successfully carried out. The researchers measured the acidity of subcutaneous tissue fluid and the acidity of the environment in the stomach. Blood acidity measurements were also carried out. Scientists intend to continue various research and development, including long-term biological compatibility.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  21.07.2016