Initial implementation of epidermal electronic systems into a clinical setting to monitor cutaneous wound healing

Epidermal electronic devices offer enormous potential as sensors and actuators for biomedical research and clinical application. One such area, cutaneous wound healing management, currently utilizes subjective analyses of health and instrumentation that does not conform sufficiently to the properties of skin. The desire to collect precise medical data over periods of time aligns well with the capabilities of flexible, stretchable, multi-functional devices. In this work, epidermal electronic devices are designed to spatially gauge temperature and hydration on the skin in order to quantitatively explore the process of wound healing. The design of the device and system incorporates several recent advances in flexible electronics, including fractal motifs, to adapt and optimize data acquisition after the removal of basal cell carcinoma. Initial results are promising and more patients will be included to determine the feasibility, reliability, and multifunctional potential of epidermal electronic devices for wound management and other non-invasive applications.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Materials Science & Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Falgout, Leo

Contributors dc:contributor

• Rogers, John A.

• epidermal electronics
• flexible electronics
• wound healing
• wound monitoring
• temperature
• skin
• hydration

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2014 Leo Falgout

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/73094

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/73094