Biosymbiotic Device: A 3D-Printed Wearable Beyond the Ordinary with Unique Non-Charging Feature

Engineers at the University of Arizona recently developed a unique wearable, which they now call a "biosymbiotic device," featuring many exceptional benefits.

Tech Xplore describes the wearable's function as a sensor that monitors everything, including heart rate and step count that are universal.

However, such medical-grade devices are needed for certain conditions like gauging the start of poor health conditions in older adults, prompt diagnosis of fatal diseases, examining the efficacy of new drugs, or following professional athletes' performance.

Not only are these devices personalized 3D-printed and based on the wearers' body scans, but they operate continuously as well, through the use of a combination of wireless transfer of power and compact storage of energy.

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Custom Fit for Accurate Monitoring

The team, led by assistant professor of biomedical engineering Philipp Gutruf, and Faculty Fellow Craig Berge in the College of Engineering, published its findings today Science Advances in the journal.

According to Gutruf, a member of the BIO5 Institute of the university, there is nothing out there like this newly invented device.

He added that they are introducing a new notion of tailoring a wearable directly to an individual and using power casting to enable the invention to operate 24/7 minus ever requiring recharge.

Existing wearable sensors are facing various limitations. For instance, smartwatches need to be charged, and they can only collect limited amounts of data because of their position on the wrist.

3D-Printing

By using 3D scans of the body of a wearer, which can be collected through various procedures such as MIRs, CT scans, and even carefully combined images of smartphones, Gutruf, and his team was able to 3D-print custom-fitted devices that wrap around different parts of the body.

Imagine an almost unnoticeable lightweight; breathable mesh cuff developed specifically for the bicep, torso, or calf, The University of Arizona reported.

The capability of specializing placement of sensors enables researchers to gauge physiological parameters they otherwise aren't capable of.

According to a doctoral student in biomedical engineering, Tucker Stuart, the author's first paper, if one wants something close to core body temperature continuously, he would want to position the sensor in his armpit.

Or, for one who wants to gauge the manner bicep is deforming during a workout, a sensor can be placed in the devices that can have that accomplished, Stuart added.

Because of the manner the device is fabricated and attached to the body, they can use it to collect data a customary, wrist-mounted wearable device would not be able to retrieve.

Highly Sensitive Wearable

Since the newly invented biosymbiotic devices are custom-fitted to those wearing them, they are highly sensitive.

The research team tested the ability of the device to monitor parameters, including temperature and strain, while an individual jumped, walked through a treadmill, and used a rowing machine.

For the rowing machine trial, subjects were wearing multiple devices, tracking exercise strength, and the manner muscles were deforming with fine detail.

The said wearables were precise enough to detect temperature changes in the body induced by walking up on a flight of stairs.

Wireless and Doesn't Need Charging

The biosymbiotic device Gutruf's team invented has introduced doesn't use any adhesive, and it is sourcing its power from a wireless system with a range of several meters.

This unmatched wearable also comprises a small energy storage unit to function even if the wearer is going out of range of the system, which also includes out of the house.

Gutruf explained such devices are developed to necessitate no interaction with those wearing them. It is as simple as turning on the device. Then, "you forget about it" as it fulfills its job, he continued.

Related information about the biosymbiotic device is shown on AZ Bio's YouTube video below: