An Integrated Wearable Sweat Sensing Patch for Passive Continuous Analysis of Stress Biomarkers at Rest

Abstract

Real-time monitoring of mental stress biomarkers in sweat provides the possibility to evaluate mental status in a precise manner. In general, wearable sweat sensors suffer from inconvenient sweat collection, low levels of diagnostic biomarkers in sweat, sophisticated signal processing, and challenges with data visualization. To overcome these challenges, herein an integrated wearable sweat-sensing patch for continuous analysis of stress biomarkers (cortisol, Mg 2+ , and pH) at rest is demonstrated. The sweat sensing patch comprised a microfluidic chip, a highly sensitive sensing platform, an on-site signal processing circuitry (SPCs), and a smartphone installed with a homedeveloped display software. The sweat collection at rest is realized using a microfluidic chip without perspiration assistance. A ternary composite electrode is designed to obtain good conductivity, high surface area, and massive reactive sites, thereby yielding excellent electrochemical performances and high sensitivity to trace stress biomarkers. The on-site SPC has the function of signal transduction, conditioning, processing, and wireless transmission. The detection results can be displayed on a smartphone through the software. This work represents a significant scientific and technological advancement toward indexing mental stress status and can be used as an innovative tool for psychological diagnosis.

A Computationally Assisted Approach for Designing Wearable Biosensors toward Non‐Invasive Personalized Molecular Analysis

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] While commercially available wearable health DOI: 10.1002/adma.202212161 monitors mainly track physical vital signs, wearable sweat biosensors could offer rich health information at molecular levels. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Continuous analysis of sweat biomarkers including amino acids, vitamins, metabolites, drugs, hormones, and proteins could have a profound impact in remote monitoring and management of a variety of health conditions such as stress, gout, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]21] Most currently reported wearable electrochemical sweat biosensors can only monitor a limited group of small molecules (e.g., glucose, lactate, and ions) using enzymatic or ionselective sensors.…”

Enhancing On-Skin Analysis: A Microfluidic Device and Smartphone Imaging Module for Real-Time Quantitative Detection of Multianalytes in Sweat

“…Wearable sweat sensors offer the remarkable capability to capture crucial physiological parameters in a noninvasive, on-site manner. − These sensors are emerging as promising alternatives to conventional methods, such as those relying on blood, urine, interstitial fluid, and saliva, for comprehensive physiological monitoring. , In the pursuit of in situ biomarker detection, sweat sampling has posed a challenge. However, innovative sampling approaches such as patches, electronic devices, and skin-interfaced soft microfluidic systems have emerged to address this concern. ,, Recent strides in microfluidic technology have ushered in a new era of noninvasive and economically viable diagnostic tools for monitoring sweat biomarkers. − An exemplar of this progress is the utilization of skin-interfaced soft microfluidic systems to discern biomarkers within sweat, offering invaluable insights into metabolic health. ,, An indispensable factor in the advancement of wearable sensors based on skin-interfaced soft microfluidics is the analytical signaling method. These methods play a pivotal role in the effective detection of sweat components, with colorimetric, electrochemical, and fluorometric assays being the forefront contenders. ,− Among these techniques, fluorescence assays stand out for their capability to detect species at remarkably low concentrations visually, providing a complementary approach. , However, conventional device designs necessitate chemical reactions to attain equilibrium, rendering materials like carbon dots, carbon polymer dots (CPDs), and natural chlorophylls .…”

Fe Single-Atom Nanozyme-Modified Wearable Hydrogel Patch for Precise Analysis of Uric Acid at Rest

“…Compared with the high sweat rate and complex interference of exercise sweat, the detection of resting sweat can better reflect the body condition. , At present, the monitoring of resting sweat biomarkers is becoming a new way to provide noninvasive health examination. Nyein et al developed wearable patches to detect resting sweat pH, Cl – , and l -dopamine for continuous and autonomous monitoring of body physiology at rest; Zhao et al analyzed stress biomarkers (cortisol, Mg 2+ , and pH) in resting sweat by integrating a wearable sweat sensing patch for diagnostic studies of psychological stress; Saha et al developed a lactate transient sensor under low sweat secretion to continuously monitor sweat lactate changes. Similarly, the increase of the sweat uric acid (UA) level is related to the occurrence and progression of metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and other diseases. , However, most of the current wearable sensors for UA detection are tested in exercise sweat, − and there is a lack of sensors that can detect UA in resting sweat.…”