Binodal, wireless epidermal electronic systems with in-sensor analytics for neonatal intensive care

TLDR

Neonatal care, especially for premature infants, is hindered by their fragility and the need for many tethered sensors. The authors present a pair of water‑adhesive, untethered sensors with onboard data processing that enable wireless near‑field communication and facilitate easier handling and skin‑to‑skin contact. Published in Science, issue p.

Abstract

Sensitive sensing Neonatal care, particularly for premature babies, is complicated by the infants' fragility and by the need for a large number of tethered sensors to be attached to their tiny bodies. Chung et al. developed a pair of sensors that only require water to adhere to the skin and allow for untethered monitoring of key vital signs (see the Perspective by Guinsburg). On-board data processing allowed for efficient wireless near-field communication using standard protocols. The absence of cables makes it easier to handle the infants and allows for skin-to-skin contact between the babies and their parents or caregivers. Science , this issue p. eaau0780 ; see also p. 924