Search Results (3)

Filter face masks are Respiratory Protective Equipment designed to protect the wearer from various hazards, suit various health situations, and match the specific requirements of the wearer. Current traditional face masks have several limitations. In this paper, we present (ME)${}^2$, the Monitoring Equipment Mask Environment: an innovative reusable 3D-printed eco-sustainable mask with an interchangeable filter. (ME)${}^2$ is equipped with multiple vital sensors on board, connected to a system-on-a-chip micro-controller with computational capabilities, Bluetooth communication, and a rechargeable battery that allows continuous monitoring of the wearer’s vital signs. It monitors body temperature, heart rate, and oxygen saturation in a non-invasive, strategically positioned way. (ME)${}^2$ is accompanied by a mobile application that provides users’ health information. Furthermore, through Edge Computing Artificial Intelligence (Edge AI) modules, it is possible to detect an abnormal and early symptoms linked to possible pathologies, possibly linked to the respiratory or cardiovascular tract, and therefore perform predictive analysis, launch alerts, and recommendations. To validate the feasibility of embedded in-app Edge AI modules, we tested a machine learning model able to distinguish COVID-19 versus seasonal influenza using only vital signs. By generating new synthetic data, we confirm the highly reliable performances of such a model, with an accuracy of $94.80\%$. Full article

Physiological signals are immediate and sensitive to neural and cardiovascular change resulting from brain stimulation, and are considered as a quantifying tool with which to evaluate the association between brain stimulation and cognitive performance. Brain stimulation outside a highly equipped, clinical setting requires the use of a low-cost, ambulatory miniature system. The purpose of this double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study is to quantify the physiological biomarkers of the neural and cardiovascular systems induced by a microwave brain stimulation (MBS) device. We investigated the effect of an active MBS and a sham device on the cardiovascular and neurological responses of ten volunteers (mean age 26.33 years, 70% male). Electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) were recorded in the initial resting-state, intermediate state, and the final state at half-hour intervals using a portable sensing device. During the experiment, the participants were engaged in a cognitive workload. In the active MBS group, the power of high-alpha, high-beta, and low-beta bands in the EEG increased, and the power of low-alpha and theta waves decreased, relative to the sham group. RR Interval and QRS interval showed a significant association with MBS stimulation. Heart rate variability features showed no significant difference between the two groups. A wearable MBS modality may be feasible for use in biomedical research; the MBS can modulate the neurological and cardiovascular responses to cognitive workload. Full article

Flexible hybrid electronics (FHE), designed in wearable and implantable configurations, have enormous applications in advanced healthcare, rapid disease diagnostics, and persistent human-machine interfaces. Soft, contoured geometries and time-dynamic deformation of the targeted tissues require high flexibility and stretchability of the integrated bioelectronics. Recent progress in developing and engineering soft materials has provided a unique opportunity to design various types of mechanically compliant and deformable systems. Here, we summarize the required properties of soft materials and their characteristics for configuring sensing and substrate components in wearable and implantable devices and systems. Details of functionality and sensitivity of the recently developed FHE are discussed with the application areas in medicine, healthcare, and machine interactions. This review concludes with a discussion on limitations of current materials, key requirements for next generation materials, and new application areas. Full article