Soft, wireless electronics for the thermal characterization of skin and soft tissue

Existing sensors to monitor physical biomarkers in living tissue are rigid, bulky and often require wired electronic connections for power and data transfer. Recent work has established a set of design principles that allow for the integration of traditionally rigid sensing electronics and wiring into form factors that are soft, flexible and stretchable. These sensors offer qualitative improvements in patient comfort and are comparable, if not superior to clinical gold standard technologies. The strong, conformal mechanical coupling between these sensors and underlying living tissue also opens new avenues for unusual sensing modalities with immediate applications in clinical medicine. Devices for the continuous thermal characterization of living tissue represent one such opportunity and the work presented here illustrates a set of materials, mechanics and electronics designs required to realize fully functional sensors for temperature and flow mapping through biological conduits. Advanced powering and data transmission and powering schemes relying on near-field communication and Bluetooth protocols allow the sensors to be continuously worn for extended periods. Measurements of hydration in outer skin layers, cerebrospinal fluid flow through indwelling ventricular shunts and blood flow through peripheral nerve vasculature represent three use cases in dermatology, neurosurgery and neuroscience, respectively. Systematic benchtop and theoretical studies illustrate the high levels of functionality of these devices, and IRB approved studies on over 30 patients and volunteers, along with comparisons to clinical gold standards highlight their potential beyond the laboratory.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Materials Science & Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2019

Author dc:creator

• Krishnan, Siddharth

Contributors dc:contributor

• Rogers, John A
• Cahill, David G
• Braun, Paul V
• Leal, Cecilia

• Bioelectronics
• thermal characterization

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright the author, 2019

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/105858

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/105858