Abstract Bio-sensing textiles to perform on-body biochemical analysis are a novel concept in the field of wearable
technologies. This work is part of BioTex, an EU funded
project aiming to develop textile-based sensors for monitoring
biological fluids. This paper describes the development of a
wearable sensing device that integrates a fabric-based fluid
handling platform for collection and analysis of sweat using
optical and electrochemical methods. Sensing capabilities
have been demonstrated using pH sensitive dyes immobilized
onto the fabric fluidic channel. Optical sensing is performed
using a paired LED configuration controlled by a Crossbow
Mica2dot mote, which also enables wireless data transmission.
The design ensures low-power and low-cost operation and is
foreseen to be used as a tool to promote wellness, give an
indicator of personal health and assist in sports performance
training.
I. INTRODUCTION
properties.[2] This is used in conjunction with a superabsorbent (SAB) material capable of absorbing high volumes
of liquid. A fabric fluidic channel is made from the moisture
wicking material. The SAB is placed at the end of the channel
to provide a passive pumping mechanism, controlling fluid
flow. The configuration of the device is shown in Fig. 1.
This collection layers base material is hydrophilic polyamide
lycra from which the desired pattern (fluidic channel) is
fabricated by coating the fabric material with hydrophobic
silicone or polyurethane film. Sensing components may be
immobilized on the fabric or integrated onto the top cover
such that there is contact between the sensor and the fluid
on the surface of the channel. A hydrophobic film (acetate
sheet) is fixed to the underside of the collection layer with a
small aperture to the base of the fabric channel. This creates
an inlet for sweat into the device. On the upper side of the
collection layer the SAB collects and stores the waste
products. A black silicone gasket is molded and placed
around the edge of the device to provide mechanical support
and allow placement of a protective cover on which the
optical sensing platform and electrochemical sensors are
situated. This cover also prevents contamination from
external fluids to the channel and to the SAB.
B. Integration of pH sensor
In healthy individuals the typical pH range of sweat is pH5-7.
The pH sensitive dye Bromocresol purple (BCP, pKa = 6.2)
based sensor is suitable for measuring this range and is
Optical
Detection
Cover
(a)
18000
Detected light
(microsec)
16000
Actual
14000
Model
12000
10000
Silicone gasket
10
pH
Detected light
(b)
SAB
pH-sensitive Hydrophobic
dye
coating
Figure 2 Fluidic handling platform integrating pH sensor with
optical detection.
Sweat
60000
55000
50000
45000
40000
35000
30000
pH 7
pH 4
221 441 661 881 1101 1321 1541 1761 1981 2201
Time(s)
C. Wireless System
The LEDs are controlled and monitored by a Mica2dot mote.
The detector LED is reverse biased at a specific voltage to
generate photocurrent upon incident light. This photocurrent
then discharges the LED at a rate that is proportional to the
intensity of light reaching the detector. A simple threshold
detection/timer routine is implemented and data transmitted
to a Mica2 base-station connected to a laptop for analysis .
The wearable/wireless device is shown in Fig. 3.
IV. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS
This fluid handling concept may be extended to monitor
other parameters in sweat using different colorimetric dyes or
indeed electrochemical sensing. We have developed a
platform which is capable of sampling, collecting and
analyzing fluid. The system is low-power, with a passive
pumping mechanism and inexpensive to produce. Further
work is needed to test the performance of the sensor in vivo
to investigate issues of wearability and physiological factors.
A CKNOWLEDGMENT
Mica2dot
mote
Optical detection
[1]
III. RESULTS
The pH sensing patch was calibrated using artificial sweat
(ISO 3160/2 standard). A fabric wick was used to deliver the
sample to the collection layer. A calibration curve of the
sensor is shown in Fig. 4(a). The pKa was estimate to be 6.5.
The sensor is reversible and the repeatability is shown in Fig.
4(b). The average response time between the acidic and basic
forms of the dye is 100s.
The collection capabilities of the fabric layer have been
tested in vivo. Two patches were attached a subjects lower
back before participation in 40 minutes of indoor cycling.
The patches were weighed before and after exercise.
[2]
[3]
[4]