15 May 2023
by Professor Steven C. Boyages, Endocinologist, The University of Sydney
When you think of a “band-aid style” adhesive plaster you probably picture a small piece of adhesive material used to cover and protect a wound.
But what if that plaster could do more than just cover a wound? What if it could monitor your health and alert you to any potential problems?
That’s where skin patch technology comes in.
Like a traditional band-aid, skin patch sensors and plasters are applied directly to the skin using an adhesive. But unlike traditional medical plaster style form factors, these skin patch sensors are designed to be worn for extended periods of time, often for several days or even weeks.
These patches are made from materials that are comfortable and non-irritating to the skin, and they are equipped with sensors and other specialized components that are designed to detect and measure various substances or processes within the body.
One of the most common uses of skin patch sensors is in the continuous monitoring of glucose levels in patients with diabetes. These patches use tiny sensors to measure the concentration of glucose in the interstitial fluid, which is the fluid that surrounds the cells in the skin.
The sensors send this information wirelessly to a device, such as a smartphone or wearable device, which can then display the glucose levels in real-time. This allows patients to make informed decisions about their insulin doses and other treatments and can help prevent serious complications such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
Skin patch sensors are also being used to monitor vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure. These sensors can be worn on the chest, wrist, or other areas of the body to continuously monitor these important parameters. This can be particularly useful for patients with heart conditions or other chronic illnesses, as it allows healthcare providers to identify potential problems early and take appropriate action.
In addition to monitoring specific substances or processes within the body, skin patch sensors are also being used to detect the presence of certain pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses. They use specialized sensors to detect the presence of these pathogens in the body and can alert healthcare providers to the need for further testing or treatment.
Overall, skin patch sensors are like the smart band-aid plasters of the future — they offer a convenient and non-invasive way to monitor various aspects of health and alert patients and healthcare providers to any potential problems.
As technology continues to advance, it is likely that we will see even more innovative uses of these sensors and technologies in the future.