A Flexible and Stretchable Resistive Epidermal Pressure Sensor for Health Monitoring

Abstract

Epidermal pressure sensor that directly contacts with human skin can be used to monitor physiological signals, such as pulse, blood pressure, and heartbeat etc. Although promising stretchable substrates and electrodes were developed in the past, there is a need for a technology to produce inexpensive epidermal pressure sensor that is sensitive to a low-pressure regime and is flexible and stretchable. In the present study, a simple, cost-effective flexible and stretchable epidermal pressure sensor that employs compressible conductive elastomer microstructure arrays was designed and fabricated. The sensing of pressure in this device is via a thin resistive layer of conductive compatible elastomer into which microstructures have been molded. Using this arrangement, changes in the conductive electrode and bulk resistance incurred by pressure-sensitive geometric deformation can be measured. Based on our technology, a new method for healthcare monitoring with inexpensive epidermal pressure sensor can be realized.