WIRELESS, CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF DAILY STRESS AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICE VIA SOFT BIOELECTRONICS

Smart overview of the Invention

A physiological monitoring device is designed for application to a user's skin using a clinical-grade medical film with a skin-compatible adhesive. Electrodes placed on the film sense physiological metrics from the skin. An elastomeric membrane integrated with the film supports undulated wires, connecting to an electronic circuit. This circuit processes the sensed data, converting it to digital form for communication to a remote device.

Background and Need

Work-related stress poses significant health risks, contributing to numerous deaths and substantial healthcare costs annually in the U.S. Traditional stress assessment methods are often subjective, relying on self-reported data. Wearable systems have emerged to measure physiological signals like electrodermal activity (GSR), which directly indicates stress by monitoring sympathetic nervous system activity. However, existing devices face challenges such as motion artifacts and discomfort due to rigid sensors and aggressive fixtures.

Innovative Aspects

The device overcomes previous limitations by using a soft, stretchable biosensor that can be comfortably worn throughout daily activities. It continuously records GSR and temperature without electrolyte gels, minimizing motion artifacts. The ultrathin system enables long-term monitoring and effective stress management by providing real-time data during normal activities, unlike prior devices limited to short-term laboratory settings.

Functionality

The device senses skin temperature and GSR, converting these metrics into digital values stored in memory. Signal processing extracts phasic elements from the data, filtering outliers and identifying peaks. The processed data is then wirelessly transmitted to a remote device for analysis, allowing users or therapists to access stress-related metrics and evaluate management practices.

Practical Application

Designed for comfortable long-term wear, the device integrates sensing and processing electronics on a medical-grade film. It includes a wireless communications chipset for transmitting data to remote devices like computers or smartphones. This setup allows users or healthcare providers to monitor stress levels effectively, supporting better stress management and intervention strategies in real-world settings.