Bio-patch design and implementation based on a low-power system-on-chip and paper-based inkjet printing technology

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Electronics Engineering

Background:

• Wearable biosensors are crucial for continuous health monitoring.
• Traditional biosensors often face challenges with power consumption, integration, and manufacturing costs.
• Developing low-power, integrated, and cost-effective biosensing solutions is essential for widespread adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the prototype implementation of a novel Bio-Patch.
• To demonstrate the integration of a low-power System-on-Chip (SoC) sensor with paper-based inkjet printing technology.
• To validate the functionality of the Bio-Patch for recording physiological signals.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a System-on-Chip (SoC) sensor using 0.18-µm CMOS technology with programmable gain and bandwidth.
• Utilization of inkjet printing technology with conductive nanoparticle inks for electrodes and interconnections on a flexible photo paper substrate.
• Integration of the SoC sensor, soft battery, printed electrodes, and interconnections to create the Bio-Patch prototype.

Main Results:

• The SoC sensor achieved a total power consumption of 20 µW from a 1.2 V supply.
• Electrodes and interconnections were successfully printed on a flexible photo paper substrate.
• The Bio-Patch prototype demonstrated successful in-vivo measurement of electrocardiogram (ECG) and electromyogram (EMG) signals.

Conclusions:

• The developed Bio-Patch represents a significant advancement in low-power, integrated biosensing.
• Inkjet printing technology offers a cost-effective and flexible method for fabricating wearable bio-electronic components.
• The prototype's success in recording ECG and EMG signals highlights its potential for various biomedical monitoring applications.