A wireless optoelectronic skin patch for light delivery and thermal monitoring

Han-Joon Kim; Yunxia Jin; Sippanat Achavananthadith; Rongzhou Lin; John S Ho

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2021.103284

A wireless optoelectronic skin patch for light delivery and thermal monitoring

iScience. 2021 Oct 21;24(11):103284. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103284. eCollection 2021 Nov 19.

Authors

Han-Joon Kim¹, Yunxia Jin², Sippanat Achavananthadith¹, Rongzhou Lin², John S Ho^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore.
² Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore.
³ The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore.

Abstract

Wearable optoelectronic devices can interface with the skin for applications in continuous health monitoring and light-based therapy. Measurement of the thermal effect of light on skin is often critical to track physiological parameters and control light delivery. However, accurate measurement of light-induced thermal effects is challenging because conventional sensors cannot be placed on the skin without obstructing light delivery. Here, we report a wearable optoelectronic patch integrated with a transparent nanowire sensor that provides light delivery and thermal monitoring at the same location. We achieve fabrication of a transparent silver nanowire network with >92% optical transmission that provides thermoresistive sensing of skin temperature. By integrating the sensor in a wireless optoelectronic patch, we demonstrate closed-loop regulation of light delivery as well as thermal characterization of blood flow. This light delivery and thermal monitoring approach may open opportunities for wearable devices in light-based diagnostics and therapies.

Keywords: Bioelectronics; Health technology; Optoelectronics.