How Nano-Sensors Help with Treatment
ESF-funded project "SenseCare” at Chemnitz University of Technology successfully completed - Therapeutic support, especially for diabetes mellitus
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The core of the "SenseCare" project was the development of low-cost, multifunctional sensors and sensor matrices for the spatially resolved measurement of force vectors and for the measurement of humidity, pulse and temperature. Photo: Screenshot project video -
Pressure sensors at specific anatomical points of the foot transmit therapy-relevant data. Photo: Screenshot project video -
(right) Sensor mat with polymer-CNT nanocomposite on 4x4 screen-printed electrodes. (left) Image reconstruction of the sensor reaction and schematic representation of a sensor insole with twelve nanocomposite pressure sensors at specific anatomical points of the foot. Graphic: SensorCare/Jacob Müller -
The SenseCare Team. From left to right: M.Sc. Tatiana Zubkova (DDB), Dr.-Ing. Roberto Bautista Quijano (MST), M.Sc. Dhivakar Rajendran (MST), Dr.-Ing. Ayda Bouhamed (MST), M.Sc. Bert Wynands (BW), M.Sc. Zheng Hu (MST), M.Sc. Michael Schiebold (MMT), M.Sc. Tina Drechsel (BW), and Dipl. Peter Frenzel (AC). Photo SenseCare -
This measure was funded by the European Social Fund and co-financed by tax revenues on the basis of the budget adopted by the members of the Saxon State Parliament. Logo: European Social Fund (ESF)
In the medical field, flexible and highly sensitive sensors can combine diagnostics and treatment with high comfort for patients. Printed, ultra-thin, and highly sensitive nanocomposite sensors, in particular, offer an adaptable and reliable solution to current technologies such as pressure sensors - a solution on which Chemnitz University of Technology has conducted research and presented results and prototypes. The results are particularly relevant with regard to the treatment of patients in whom the blood sugar level is abnormally high (diabetes mellitus).
The aim of the project "High tech sensor technology for the challenge of demographic change in Saxony", which is based at the Professorship of Electrical Measurements and Sensor Technology (Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun) at Chemnitz University of Technology, was to develop sensor mats to support the treatment of pressure ulcers in patients with diabetes mellitus. A special novelty of this project is the embedding of carbon nanotubes (CNT) based sensors that can measure pressure with high precision. The use of CNTs for the production of pressure sensors is a unique selling point of "SenseCare" for the healthcare and medical sector. A video clip presents essential aspects of this project in detail.
Prototypes illustrate areas of application - Mobile use via app possible
With their embedded sensor technology, these sensor mats are able to detect changes in temperature, pressure and humidity when they come into contact with the human body. For this purpose, the project team produced ultra-thin sensors in the micrometer range. For comparison: human hair is between 30 and 120 micrometers thick. The research team developed the sensors on the basis of CNTs, which in turn are printed on polymer films. These sensors are suitable as aids in health care and for monitoring patients with certain health problems such as diabetes-related ulcers or non-healing wounds.
The operating principle of CNT-based pressure sensors is based on the measurable change in the electrical resistance of the sensor material when pressure, temperature and humidity change.
Two prototypes were developed for testing the sensors: a mat and a sole. The mat can be double-layered, i.e. it works on both sides and is capable of sensing temperature and humidity on one side and pressure on the other. The insole, on the other hand, can sense pressure at specific anatomical points, for example the ball of the foot and the heel. This data is measured in real time and can be displayed via a graphical user interface. This is of particular interest to diabetes mellitus patients. In the laboratory this is done on the desktop, but mobile use via an app is conceivable and feasible.
The sensor insole can be used with patients to detect increased pressure on the foot to prevent foot injuries. Experienced users ensure that the pressure is distributed evenly. Patients with diabetes mellitus receive feedback via the ultra-thin shoe sole to correct their gait. After miniaturisation, the sensor mat can be used in the care sector to prevent bed sores and pressure sores in bedridden senior citizens or patients.
Successful presentation at trade fair - More quality of treatment and life
At the leading trade fair for sensors and measuring systems "Sensor+Test" last year, the sensor mat was presented to a specialist audience and received very positive reactions from the participants.
The developments in sensor technology achieved in "SenseCare" have a lot of potential because demographic change and the increasing proportion of diabetes mellitus make user-friendly solutions a necessity in order to enable more treatment and quality of life for those affected, their relatives and caregivers. This technology can prevent further physical damage and relieve the burden on caregivers. With its extremely thin sensors, the developed sensor solution is cost-effective and durable, thus representing an advance over existing sensor systems.
Background: "SenseCare”
The "SenseCare" research project was led by Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun, holder of the Professorship of Electrical Measurements and Sensor Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology. A multidisciplinary core team of nine young scientists worked on the project. The departments of Inorganic Chemistry (Prof. Dr. Heinrich Lang), Digital Printing and Imaging Technology (Prof. Dr. Reinhard Baumann), Microsystems and Biomedical Engineering (Prof. Dr. Jan Mehner) and Human Locomotion (Prof. Dr. Thomas L. Milani) were also involved. "SenseCare" was financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and with tax money from the Free State of Saxony based on the budget approved by the members of the Saxon State Parliament.
Further information is available from Prof. Dr.-Ing. Olfa Kanoun, Professorship of Electrical Measurements and Sensor Technology, Tel. +49 (0) 371/531-36931, E-Mail: olfa.kanoun@etit.tu-chemnitz.de
(Author: Matthias Fejes / Translation: Chelsea Burris)
Matthias Fejes
08.05.2020
