Tufts University
Current health devices often overlook older users, who may face both health challenges and technology barriers. We are investigating the feasibility of wearable sensors to track posture, heart rate, and breathing, alongside a microneedle patch that collect body fluids to measure stress and inflammation markers. By combining this data, we aim to create an easy to use system that supports personalized, at home health monitoring for older adults.
Devices capable of measuring, interpreting, and providing guidance based on a range of biosignals have significantly broadened the access to health information. Nevertheless, the majority of these platforms are designed for a demographic already proficient in technology, thereby excluding older adults, a group facing unique health challenges and often experiencing technological apprehension. To address this disparity, this study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of employing a wearable eutectogel-sensor patch system to monitor and analyze posture, movement, heart rate, and respiration of old…
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Aged 65 or older 2. Expressed willingness to participate. 3. Able to give written informed consent 4. Able to operate a smartphone and complete surveys Exclusion Criteria: 1. Reliance on assistive walking devices 2. Inability to operate a smartphone 3. Unable to complete surveys 4. Unable to give written informed consent 5. Younger than 65 years old 6. Known skin allergies to kinesiology tape (KT tape)
Eutectogel Sensors: While the exact eutectogel formulation in this study has not been previously tested in humans, similar eutectogel-based materials have been employed in wearable biosensing devices with human participants. These systems are typically composed of biocompatible matrices such as gelatin or polyacrylamide combined with deep eutectic solvents (DES) to improve ionic conductivity and flexibility. Microneedle Patches: The microneedle patch in this study is composed of poly(acrylic acid)/gelatin methacryloyl (PAA/GelMA), gelatin/oxidized pectin (Gelatin/OxP), and methacrylated hyaluronic acid/maleic anhydride (MeHA/MA). Although the integrated use of these specific compositions has not yet been evaluated in humans, the materials themselves, as well as similar microneedle architectures, have been thoroughly investigated in vivo and even in clinical trials.
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