It will let caregivers know when patients get a fever

Feb 24, 2015 10:40 GMT  ·  By

People can either volunteer to care for the sick or injured, or they can have that as their job, but no matter how good they are at it, there are things that can escape their notice, at least for a time. Fevers are an example.

The fever is a physiological response to infections, or the result of the immune system mobilizing against whatever pathogen is trying to make a mess of things.

If someone is bad off enough to need a caretaker, however, their condition is probably serious enough that missing the early signs of a fever could prove catastrophic.

That is why a team of researchers from the University of Tokyo have created something that will make sure caregivers notice fevers immediately: a solar-powered armband.

The solar powered armband

The new armband is more of a proof of concept right now, to show that it is possible to produce flexible, disposable devices that can enhance the information available to people working in healthcare.

We are fairly certain that it will catch on, though. It is useful enough, and also convenient enough, to not need any further refinement before deployment.

A flexible amorphous silicon solar panel provides the needed energy, while a temperature sensor constantly monitors the body heat. A power supply circuit stores and distributes the energy as needed.

The first time an organic circuit is used to create sound

The piezoelectric speaker is the first example of this, just like the organic power supply circuit is the first example of its kind.

Among other things, this shows that it is possible to create flexible and disposable devices that can monitor bodily functions.

In fact, the researchers say it will be rather simple to adapt the design to detect wetness, pressure and heart rate.

How to use

When the temperature of a patient goes above a certain limit, a piezoelectric speaker is set off, notifying the caregiver of the fever. The armband can be worn either directly on the skin or over clothing.

Since there is no need for a battery, the band is quite comfortable, as well as cheap enough to throw away after each use in order to maintain hygiene.