Novel wireless health monitor with acupuncture bio-potentials obtained by using a replaceable salt-water-wetted foam-rubber cushions on RFID-tag

Biomed Mater Eng. 2014;24(6):3589-96. doi: 10.3233/BME-141185.

Abstract

This paper proposes a bio-potential measurement apparatus including a wireless device for transmitting acupuncture bio-potential information to a remote control station for health conditions analysis and monitor. The key technology of this system is to make replaceable foam-rubber cushions, double-side conducting tapes, chip and antenna on the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The foam-rubber cushions can be wetted with salt-water and contact with the acupuncture points to reduce contact resistance. Besides, the double-side conducting tapes are applied to fix foam-rubber cushions. Thus, one can peel the used cushions or tapes away and supply new ones quickly. Since the tag is a flexible plastic substrate, it is easy to deploy on the skin. Besides, the amplifier made by CMOS technology on RFID chip could amplify the signals to improve S/N ratio and impedance matching. Thus, cloud server can wirelessly monitor the health conditions. An example shows that the proposed system can be used as a wireless health condition monitor, the numerical method and the criteria are given to analyze eleven bio-potentials for the important acupunctures of eleven meridians on a person's hands and legs. Then a professional doctor can know the performance of an individual and the cross-linking effects of the organs.

Keywords: RFID tag; bio-potential; flexible substrate; wetted replaceable foam-rubber cushion; wireless health monitor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amplifiers, Electronic
  • Disposable Equipment*
  • Electroacupuncture / instrumentation*
  • Electrodes*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Radio Frequency Identification Device*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation*
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Telemedicine / instrumentation*
  • Wireless Technology / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Sodium Chloride