Tel Aviv Researchers recently developed a temporary ‘electronic tattoo’ as one of the first non-invasive assays to research muscle and nerve cell activity in patients. The technology may also revolutionize market research and data collection. (via Nature)
Temporary tattoos may have started as a fun pastime, but actually have practical implications now, thanks to Tel Aviv University researchers. The TAU research team recently developed a novel temporary ‘electronic tattoo’ that can monitor muscle activity and emotions in stroke patients, amputees, and more. (However, not the first electronic tattoo out there. See this and that.)
The ‘tattoo’ is essentially a sticker comprised of carbon electrodes and nano conductive polymer coating. It gauges muscle and nerve cell function, and keeps a strong, stable signal for hours, all without irritating the skin. A stroke patient, amputee, or medical research participant could place the sticker, and carry on with their daily activities – a current impossibility with existing treatment methods.
Figure 4: Functional Recordings
The sticker was created as an alternative to electromyography, an invasive test to assess the function of muscles and nerve cells. In some cases, needles are inserted into the skin to improve data collection, which is considerably uncomfortable for patients, and prompted Tel Aviv researchers to explore alternatives.
TAU researchers believe the patch can be used for therapeutic restoration of nerves and tissue, such as improving muscle response in stroke victims. It could also better inform the development of prosthetics, as it would offer researchers comprehensive data regarding muscle and nerve function, and connectivity near the site of amputation. If the e-tattoo is placed on facial tissue, it could also collect data about emotional response, especially useful in market research.
TAU researchers expect the tattoo to have practical implications for media professionals, advertisers, pollsters, rehabilitation professionals, and medical researchers as well. The team has plans of continuing to develop practical uses for the technology, and will soon conduct a trial to observe muscle activity in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The research team also believes it can be used to assess the alertness of motorists when on the road in future, in a measure to decrease traffic accidents and enhance public safety.
The study was published in the June edition of Scientific Reports. The development of the device was part of the European Research Council, and supported through grants from the BSMT Consortium of Israel’s Ministry of Economy.
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