John Rogers, Richard Chad Webb, and colleagues at the University of Illinois have built a flexible (epidermal electronics based) monitor that measures blood flow in the outermost 2 millimeters of skin. Blood flow measuring devices typically use optical imaging, which requires patients to not move. This technology can be used in a wearable that obtains measurements during motion.
The thin, light device sits on top of the skin, without distorting the blood flow it seeks to measure. It detects differences in heat patterns. Computer algorithms interpret the heat pattern differences as blood flow rate.
The device was placed above the wrist veins of human volunteers. Blood flow measurements were taken as the subjects stood motionless for 5 minutes; as they stepped up and down on a machine for 3 minutes; and as they lied on their backs. Researchers compared the results with those of optical imagers to ensure accuracy.
To be used in practice, a self contained power source, and components that allow the data to be wirelessly transmitted, must still be developed.
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