Smart Sensing Strip Using Monolithically Integrated Flexible Flow Sensor for Noninvasively Monitoring Respiratory Flow.

Peng Jiang,Shuai Zhao,Rong Zhu

doi:10.3390/s151229881

Abstract

This paper presents a smart sensing strip for noninvasively monitoring respiratory flow in real time. The monitoring system comprises a monolithically-integrated flexible hot-film flow sensor adhered on a molded flexible silicone case, where a miniaturized conditioning circuit with a Bluetooth4.0 LE module are packaged, and a personal mobile device that wirelessly acquires respiratory data transmitted from the flow sensor, executes extraction of vital signs, and performs medical diagnosis. The system serves as a wearable device to monitor comprehensive respiratory flow while avoiding use of uncomfortable nasal cannula. The respiratory sensor is a flexible flow sensor monolithically integrating four elements of a Wheatstone bridge on single chip, including a hot-film resistor, a temperature-compensating resistor, and two balancing resistors. The monitor takes merits of small size, light weight, easy operation, and low power consumption. Experiments were conducted to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of monitoring and diagnosing respiratory diseases using the proposed system.

Highlights

According to the report of World Health Organization (WHO), respiratory diseases have become one of the top major killers in the past decade [1]
Most of respiratory diseases are chronic in nature and have a major impact on the individuals with diseases, and on community, which bring about significant public health burdens
We propose a miniaturized flexible respiration monitor that can be attached on human upper lip underneath the nostril to implement non-invasive, wireless, and real-time respiratory flow monitoring without use of nasal cannula and mask

Summary

Introduction

According to the report of World Health Organization (WHO), respiratory diseases have become one of the top major killers in the past decade [1]. Respiratory airflow monitoring is vital to diagnose OSAS and other respiration diseases. One is indirectly monitoring respiration from variation in thorax volume, the other is using airflow sensor to directly detect respiratory airflow [12].

Results

Conclusion