The Wristband That Can Diagnose Diseases Like Diabetes And Cystic Fibrosis By Studying SWEAT

• The device contains flexible sensors and microprocessors that stick to the skin
• The sensor electronically transmits the results for analysis and diagnostics
• Researchers hope the sensor might aid drug development for cystic fibrosis

An ultra-sensitive wristband may improve diagnosis and treatment of cystic fibrosis, diabetes and other conditions, researchers said on Monday.

Unlike previous sweat sensors, the new model requires only a trace of moisture to do its job and doesn't require patients to sit still for 30 minutes while it collects a sample.

The device contains flexible sensors and microprocessors that stick to the skin and stimulate sweat glands.





Researchers at the University of California have designed a wearable device that contains flexible sensors and microprocessors that stick to the skin and stimulate sweat glands

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The wearable device contains flexible sensors and microprocessors that stick to the skin and stimulate sweat glands.

It detects the presence of different molecules and ions in sweat.

For example sweat that contains more chloride generates a higher electrical voltage at the sensor's surface.

High chloride ion levels may indicate cystic fibrosis, while high blood glucose levels are a sign of diabetes.

The sensor electronically transmits the results for analysis and diagnostics.


'CF drugs work on only a fraction of patients,' said Sam Emaminejad, who is now an assistant professor of electrical engineering at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

'Just imagine if you use the wearable sweat sensor with people in clinical drug investigations,' he said.




Researchers hope the sensor might one day aid drug development for cystic fibrosis by detecting the presence of different molecules and ions in sweat

'We could get a much better insight into how their chloride ions go up and down in response to a drug.'

More research is needed to see if the wearable sweat sensor would work consistently from one day to the next.

An issue is that the contents of a person's sweat can change frequently based on diet and other factors.

Researchers also hope to learn more about which molecules in sweat can be mapped and may provide the most useful information.

Source