Abstract
The use of wearable sensors in health monitoring is increasing dramatically, largely due to their convenience and low-cost. Understanding the accuracy of any given sensor is paramount to avoid potential misdiagnosis. Commercially available electro-resistive band (ERB) sensors have been integrated into several newly developed wearable devices with a view to using these sensors to monitor a range of respiratory and cardiovascular metrics. Quantification of the ERBs is a necessary to step towards validation of these prototypes, as it provides valuable information, which could be exploited for compensation and ultimately, for improvement of their performance. Here, we present an analysis of the ERB sensors using an expansion/contraction simulator machine. Using the developed rig, the characteristics of four ERBs were compared with a linear displacement sensor (string potentiometer) during continuous use over the course of four-and-a-half days to investigate the error and nonlinearity of the ERBs. The analysis of the recorded data includes calculation and comparison of the total harmonic distortions of the two sensors to quantify ERB nonlinearity. Moreover, comparisons between the peak-to-peak voltages and signal-to-noise ratios of the ERB and string potentiometer demonstrate the effect nonlinearity on these factors. This paper demonstrates the nonlinearity of ERBs and highlights the implications for their use in practice.
Highlights
Wearable sensors have recently attracted a lot of attention as their deployment in biomedical applications has generated new possibilities for health monitoring, treatment assessment, early detection of health disorders, prevention of their complications, and a reduction in health care costs [1,2].While traditional health care systems are often limited to use within the clinical environment, wearable sensors can be embedded in ordinary clothing enabling convenient, low-cost implementations in home and community settings [3]
This work has highlighted a number of important factors that will impact the use of electro-resistive band (ERB) in wearable devices for accurate measurement of respiration or blood volume changes
An expansion/contraction simulator machine was developed to investigate the characteristics of commercially available electro-resistive band (ERB) sensors
Summary
Wearable sensors have recently attracted a lot of attention as their deployment in biomedical applications has generated new possibilities for health monitoring, treatment assessment, early detection of health disorders, prevention of their complications, and a reduction in health care costs [1,2].While traditional health care systems are often limited to use within the clinical environment, wearable sensors can be embedded in ordinary clothing enabling convenient, low-cost implementations in home and community settings [3]. Wearable sensors have recently attracted a lot of attention as their deployment in biomedical applications has generated new possibilities for health monitoring, treatment assessment, early detection of health disorders, prevention of their complications, and a reduction in health care costs [1,2]. Stretchable electro-resistive sensors incorporate two main components, an integrated conductive component (e.g., carbon black, graphene, nanowires) and a flexible support material (e.g., silicon based elastomers, rubber based elastomers) [4]. These sensors operate through their mechanical deformation, inducing changes in the resistance of the sensor, which can be monitored as Machines 2017, 5, 22; doi:10.3390/machines5040022 www.mdpi.com/journal/machines
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