A Novel Remote Health Monitor with Replaceable Non-Fragile Bio-Probes on RFID Tag

Abstract:

Conventional bio-probes are produced on a silicon substrate, they are not only fragile but unable to dispose according to the profile of human body in a large area manner, and thus the contact resistance between probe and skin may be increased. Besides, the signal processing devices are required to improve both S/N ratio and impedance matching problems. This paper proposes a novel remote human health monitor and an active RFID tag with replaceable non-frangible probes and thin-film-transistor (TFT) amplifiers. The probes are made of bio-degradable polymer (photo resist) and covered with bio-compatible TiN. In addition, we use two pieces of double sides conducting tapes to connect both TFT amplifiers and probe modules. Thus the probe module can be replaced easily by peeling the used probe module away from the double sides conducting tapes to supply a new one. Since the tag is a flexible plastic substrate, e, g. PT, PET and PI, so the probes are easier to deploy and conform to the human body profile. In addition, the signal can be amplified by the TFT amplifier nearby to improve both S/N ratio and impedance matching. Thus the human health conditions can be remotely monitored by measuring various acupuncture impedances via the active RFID tag. The active RFID monitoring range is 15m by using 2.45 GHz ISM band, the probe resistance and parasitic capacitance are as 2735 Ω and 60.7 pf, respectively. Since the typical human acupuncture point resistance is about 40-120KΩ, thus the proposed device and system can be applied.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 145)
• Pages: 415-419
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.145.415
• Online since: December 2011
• Authors: Jium Ming Lin, Po Kuang Chang
• Keywords: Active RFID Tag, Acupuncture Points, Impedance, Non-Fragile Bio-Probes

References

[1] L. Lin and A. Pisano, Silicon-processed microneedles, Microelectromechanical Systems, 18, 1 (1999), 78-84.

DOI: 10.1109/84.749406

[2] B. Ma,  Z. Gan,  S. Liu,  Flexible silicon microneedles array for micro fluid transfer,  IEEE 2005 6th Int. Conf. on Electronic Packaging Technology, 2, 2 (2005), 1-5.

DOI: 10.1109/icept.2005.1564615

[3] B. Chen, J. Wei, E. Tay, Y.T. Wong, C. Iliescu, Silicon microneedle array with biodegradable tips for transdermal drug delivery, Microsyst. Technol., 14 (2008), 1015-1019.

DOI: 10.1007/s00542-007-0530-y

[4] J.H. Park, M.G. Allen, M.R. Prausnitz, Biodegradable polymer microneedles: fabrication, mechanics and transdermal drug delivery, Journal of Controlled Release, 104, 1 (2005), 51-66.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2005.02.002

[5] C.M. Hu, Y.C.S. Wu, C.C. Lin, Improving the electrical properties of NILC poly-Si films using a gettering substrate, IEEE Electron Device Letters, 28, 11 (2007), 1000-1003.

DOI: 10.1109/led.2007.907267

[6] Z. Meng, M, Wang, M. Wong, High performance low temperature metal-induced unilaterally crystallized polycrystalline silicon thin film transistors for system-on-panel applications, IEEE Transactions on Electron Device, 47 (2000), 404-409.

DOI: 10.1109/16.822287

[7] M. Wong,   Z. Jin,   G. A. Bhat,   P. C. Wong  H. S. Kwok, Characterization of the MIC/MILC interface and its effects on the performance of MILC thin-film-transistors, IEEE Tran. Electron Devices, 47 (2000), 1061-1067.

DOI: 10.1109/16.841241

[8] V. Chawla, D.S. Ha, An overview of passive RFID, IEEE Appl. Practice, 45, 9 (2007), 11-17.

[9] J.P. Lynch, K.J. Loh, A summary review of wireless sensors and sensor networks for structural health monitoring, The Shock and Vibration Digest, 38, 2 (2006), 91-128.

DOI: 10.1177/0583102406061499

[10] C.C. Lin, M.J. Chiu, C.C. Hsiao, R.G. Lee, Y.S. Tsai, Wireless health care service system for elderly with dementia, IEEE Trans. Inf. Technol. Biomed, 10, 4 (2006), 696-704.

DOI: 10.1109/titb.2006.874196

[11] Y. Yamamoto, Measurement and analysis of skin electrical impedance, Acta dermato- venereologica. Supplementum, 185, 34-8 (1994).

[12] K. Kontturi, L. Murtomaki, Impedance spectroscopy of human skin: A refined model, Pharm. Res., 11 (1994), 1355-1357.

[13] K.G. Chen, Electrical properties of meridians: with an overview of the electro-dermal screening test, IEEE Eng. Med. /Biology Magazine, 58, 3 (1996), 58-63, 66.

DOI: 10.1109/51.499759