Multifunctional wearable biopatch for real-time monitoring of physiological activities

Heart disease is the most common cause of death, so there is a great need for non-invasive continuous monitoring of heart activities in daily life for early diagnosis and treatment. However, existing devices are not suitable for long-term use since they are uncomfortable to wear and heavy due to rigid plastics and thick metals. Here, we introduce a low-profile, comfortable, skin-wearable multifunctional biopatch, capable of wireless monitoring of heart and motion activities. The combination of a thin, tacky elastomeric membrane, skin-like stretchable electrodes, and a small form factor flexible circuit ensures the intimate integration of the device on the skin in adhesive and gel electrolyte-free environment. The results are not only enhanced user comfort and minimized motion artifacts during normal activities but also accurate classifications for various arrhythmias based on R-R interval and ST-segment analysis. In addition, the integrated motion sensor is available to track human activities and alert an emergency when a fall event occurs. This multifunctional soft wearable system would serve as a new wearable tool to advance human healthcare.