iScience (Nov 2021)

A wireless optoelectronic skin patch for light delivery and thermal monitoring

  • Han-Joon Kim,
  • Yunxia Jin,
  • Sippanat Achavananthadith,
  • Rongzhou Lin,
  • John S. Ho

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 11
p. 103284

Abstract

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Summary: Wearable optoelectronic devices can interface with the skin for applications in continuous health monitoring and light-based therapy. Measurement of the thermal effect of light on skin is often critical to track physiological parameters and control light delivery. However, accurate measurement of light-induced thermal effects is challenging because conventional sensors cannot be placed on the skin without obstructing light delivery. Here, we report a wearable optoelectronic patch integrated with a transparent nanowire sensor that provides light delivery and thermal monitoring at the same location. We achieve fabrication of a transparent silver nanowire network with >92% optical transmission that provides thermoresistive sensing of skin temperature. By integrating the sensor in a wireless optoelectronic patch, we demonstrate closed-loop regulation of light delivery as well as thermal characterization of blood flow. This light delivery and thermal monitoring approach may open opportunities for wearable devices in light-based diagnostics and therapies.

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