Monitoring Apnea in the Elderly by an Electromechanical System with a Carbon Nanotube-based Sensor

Hung-Chang Liu; Yu-Jen Chen; Ying-Chen Lu; Chien-Liang Wu; Wen-Chieh Huang; Jung-Tang Huang

doi:10.1016/j.ijge.2013.01.004

International Journal of Gerontology (Sep 2013)

Monitoring Apnea in the Elderly by an Electromechanical System with a Carbon Nanotube-based Sensor

Hung-Chang Liu,
Yu-Jen Chen,
Ying-Chen Lu,
Chien-Liang Wu,
Wen-Chieh Huang,
Jung-Tang Huang

Affiliations

Hung-Chang Liu: Graduate Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
Yu-Jen Chen: Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
Ying-Chen Lu: Graduate Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
Chien-Liang Wu: Internal Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
Wen-Chieh Huang: Thoracic Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
Jung-Tang Huang: Graduate Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijge.2013.01.004
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 7, no. 3
pp. 147 – 151

Abstract

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Background: Breathing, a part of respiration, is one of the vital functions. Breathing disorders are common in the elderly. An effective breathing sensor for real-time detection of apnea is important in clinical critical care. We aimed to construct a real-time warning platform with a combination of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and related nano-electromechanical system (NEMS) for elderly care. Methods: Through a specific acid-treated procedure, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were immobilized on a thin silicon dioxide (SiO2) film, coated on a heated silicon wafer. Techniques of photolithography and sputtering with chromium and gold were then implemented on the MWCNT film to develop micro-interdigitated electrodes as a base for the breathing sensor. The sensor was equipped with a programmed microchip processor to become a warning detector for abnormal human breathing, namely less than six breaths per minute. Elderly volunteers were enrolled for examining the effective sensitivity of this novel electromechanical device. Results: There were 15 elderly volunteers (9 males and 6 females) tested in this experiment. The dynamic analyses of the MWCNT sensor to exhaled breath showed that it had characteristics of rapid response, high aspect ratio, small tip ratio, and high electrical conductivity. Responses of the MWCNT sensor to exhaled breath was recorded according to different performance parameters, i.e., strength, frequency, flow rate, and breath components. In this study, variable pattern-simulated tests showed that a MWCNT sensor combined with a processor could accurately evoke warning signals (100% of sensitivity rate), indicating its effectiveness and usefulness for detecting abnormal breathing rates, especially apnea. Conclusion: Our results showed that a new device composed of an NEMS by combining an MWCNT sensor and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuits could be integrated to effectively detect apnea in the elderly. This novel device may improve the pattern of safe respiratory care for the elderly in the future.

Published in International Journal of Gerontology

ISSN: 1873-9598 (Print)
Publisher: Taiwan Society of Geriatric Emergency and Critical Medicine (TSGECM)
Country of publisher: Taiwan, Province of China
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Special situations and conditions: Geriatrics
Website: http://www.sgecm.org.tw/ijge/overview/

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