The Sensors (in the image) have thermoelectric properties and detect theal variations with the need for batteries or external power supply. Credit: University of Rovira I Virgili
An International Team Led by Researchers from the University Rovira I Virgili (URV) has developed an Innovative Piece of Equipment in the Field of Medical Technology: An Intelligent Device Capable of Monitorure of the Skin Continuously and Acburery. The Device Uses A Thermoelectric System That Works Without Batteries or an External Power Supply To Detect Temperatura Variations Associated with Infummation and Infection. The Results of the Project Have Been published In the Journal Advanced Science.
The Device was created as part of a European Project in Collaboration with Researchs from the University of Porto, Who Specialize in Energy Recovery Systems. The Initial Aim of This Research was to Increase the Autonomy of Sensors Used in Medical and Industrial Environments. “The Idea was to avoid depends on Batteries and to Create Flexible Devices That Could Be Adapted to the Skin Surfaces,” Explained Eduard Llobet, Researcher at Urv’s Department of Electronic, Electric and Automatic Engineering.
Temperature as the indicator
Tempeature is an essential indicator for the early diagnosis of wounds and infmmatory processes in the skin. Local Temperatura Variations Can Reveal Infections, Healing Problems or other UNHEALTHY ALTERRATIONS. Until Now these Diagnosis Were Carrie Out with Infrared Cameras or Point Sensors, But the Problem with These Techniques is That Require The Patient to Be Immobilized and Cannot Monitor The Entire Skin Surface.
This Research Marks a Step Forward. The Device is able to accuisely measure small changes in temperature and to identify spicific points of infamination Thanks to its structure, Which is based on a network of thermocouples. These are unions of semiconductor Materials that generate an electrical signal when they detect difference in temperature. ACCORDING TO LLOBET, “IT IS LIKE CREATING A THEMAL MAP OF THE SKIN, WITH POINTS THAT WHERE THERE IS AN AFFED AREA.”
The Device has Been Validated Through Numerical Simulations and Experimental Tests on Human Skin, Even Under Sweat Conditions Using A Saline Solution to Simulate Perspiration. The tests have shown that it can detect temperature variations as small as 0.4 ° C and that it responds in less than three seconds to changes in temperature. This AllWs The Evolution of A Wound to Be Monitored in Real Time and Any Signs of Infection to Be Detected Quickly.
Cheme of the Thermoelectric Configuration Proposed in the Current Study for the Detection of Horizontal Temperature Gradients on the Skin’s Surface. This Configuration Comprisses P-Type and N-Type Thermoelectric Stripes Transverse to Each Other, Creating Sensitivity Points. Temperature Fluctations Within the Stripes Lead to Changes in the Potential Electrical Distribution Across the Network, Facilitating the Location of These Changes. Signal Analysis Enables Differencing Between Physical Contact (Touch) and Infections. CREDIT: Advanced Science (2024). DOI: 10.1002/Advs.202403775
Pioneering and Sustainable Technology
The Device is based on flexible thermoelectric materials combined with a conductive polymer printed using techniques similar to tose use in the printing of t-shirts. This means it can be manufactured on flexible polymeric substrates that can adapt to the skin Without diffultity. “This configuration is not Only More Precise Than Traditional Sensors, But Also More Resistant to External Interference, For Example Through Sweat or the Movement of the Skin,” Said the Researcher.
The Researchers also tested the durability of the device. URV’s Department of Mechanical Engineering Subjected the Sensors to Hundudes of Bending Cycles to See if they deteriorate with use. “The Results Have Been Very Promising, Because We Have Shown That the Sensor Retoins Its Functionality Even After Multiple Deformations,” Said the Head of Department, Silvia de la Flor, Who Also Participated in the Research.
Easy to Interpret and Open to New Applications.
FURTHERMORE, The Information Provided by the Sensor is easy to interpret: “The System Can Display A Color Map with temperature gradients, and this means that, Whithout Needing to Be Trained, Health Care Staff Can Quickly Identified The Affected Areas” Said Llobet. This facilitates clinical decision-making and the proactive manager of patient yaalth.
a) Production of the Sensor and Transfer To the Skin: i) Screen-Printing of the Thermoelectric Stripes and Contacts, ii) Placement of the Contacts Using 50 µm Cu Wire, Ag Ink for Contacts and Kapton Tape, iii) Placement of the layer Between the Sensor and the Skin, IV) Placement of the Tattoo Paper In the skin and humidification, v) Printed sensor obtained on the surface of the skin. b) Mechanical Deformations Applied to the Sensor to Confirm Stability: I) Compressed, II) Stretched. c) Thermoelectric Signal Obtained with the application of a temperature gradient in the center of the configuration and respective thermal images. CREDIT: Advanced Science (2024). DOI: 10.1002/Advs.202403775
The Device can be Worn for Several Days Before Being Replace and in this regard it is similar to conventional techniques. “The Idea Is That It Can Be Worn Like Any Other Device Whout Affecting The Person’s Comfort,” Said de la Flor.
This technological breakthrough opens the door to more personalized and Accessible Medicine. The sensor can help not only to prevent infections in surgical wounds and pressure ulcers, but can be adapted to other applications such as the monitoring of infmmatory processes or for use in medical packs.
The Research Team is already Working on New Projects to Expand The Functionalities of the Device, Such As the Incorporation of Biosons to Measure Other Physiological Variables, For Example, Levels of Dissolved Gases or Specific Biomarkers. “Our idea is to continue developing this technology to make it even more versatile and useful in the clinical setting,” they concluded.
More information:
But Almeida et al, Touch Empowerment: Self -Sustaining e -Tattoo Thermoelectric System for Temperature Mapping, Advanced Science (2024). DOI: 10.1002/Advs.202403775
Citation: Smart Skin Sensor Offers Real-Time Infection Detection (2025, April 2) Retrieved 2 April 2025
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