Thread-based sensors for wearables and implantables
File(s)
Author(s)
Alshabouna, Fahad
Type
Thesis
Abstract
This thesis presents a method for producing electrically conductive thread as a sensing platform in wearables and implantables. The production of this thread involves the use of divinyl sulfone as a crosslinker to crosslink poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate with the cellulose fibres present in a cotton thread to produce electrically conductive thread. We extensively characterised and optimised our formulations to achieve optimal conductivity before using the thread in several applications involving sensing. Unlike conductive threads reported previously, our thread is all-organic, mechanically robust, and chemically and electrochemically stable, and at the same time, it can be produced in large volumes at low-cost by roll-to-roll manufacturing.
In the first part of this work, we solved one of the biggest problems preventing the mass manufacturing of wearable sensors into everyday garments. We used the conductive thread in a common process used in the textile industry for manufacturing of high-resolution stitching patterns, i.e. computerised embroidery and produced three proof-of-concept wearable electrical sensors, including a disposable facemask for monitoring respiration; a t-shirt for monitoring cardiac activity; and textile-based gas sensors for monitoring ammonia. The produced sensors were comparable with the standard detection approaches used in the industry.
In the second part of this work, we endowed surgical sutures with the capability of electrochemical monitoring of pH and glucose which are biomarkers found in wound exudate during wound healing. Clinicians can use our technology for early detection of non-healing wounds, allowing prompt medical intervention to avoid further complications (operations or amputation). These sutures consisted of multiple conductive threads as components for electrical and biochemical sensing. The produced disposable sensors had limits of detection of pH values of 3 – 10 and glucose concentrations of 0.8 – 9 mM, which cover the reported physiological ranges found in wounds. As a technology demonstrator, we made incisions on a killed chicken purchased from a supermarket as a model to simulate the detection of biomarkers from wounds using synthetic solutions.
In the first part of this work, we solved one of the biggest problems preventing the mass manufacturing of wearable sensors into everyday garments. We used the conductive thread in a common process used in the textile industry for manufacturing of high-resolution stitching patterns, i.e. computerised embroidery and produced three proof-of-concept wearable electrical sensors, including a disposable facemask for monitoring respiration; a t-shirt for monitoring cardiac activity; and textile-based gas sensors for monitoring ammonia. The produced sensors were comparable with the standard detection approaches used in the industry.
In the second part of this work, we endowed surgical sutures with the capability of electrochemical monitoring of pH and glucose which are biomarkers found in wound exudate during wound healing. Clinicians can use our technology for early detection of non-healing wounds, allowing prompt medical intervention to avoid further complications (operations or amputation). These sutures consisted of multiple conductive threads as components for electrical and biochemical sensing. The produced disposable sensors had limits of detection of pH values of 3 – 10 and glucose concentrations of 0.8 – 9 mM, which cover the reported physiological ranges found in wounds. As a technology demonstrator, we made incisions on a killed chicken purchased from a supermarket as a model to simulate the detection of biomarkers from wounds using synthetic solutions.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2022-09
Date Awarded
2022-11
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial Licence
License URL
Advisor
Guder, Firat
Publisher Department
Bioengineering
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)