A revolutionary new blood pressure monitor has been developed by scientists at the University of Texas and Texas A&M University. The device is an electronic tattoo made from graphene, which is applied to the skin and can measure blood pressure over several days without the patient even noticing. Traditional blood pressure monitors require a cuff to be regularly inflated and deflated, which can be uncomfortable for patients. The new device uses bioimpedance to measure blood pressure, which is the electrical resistance of the skin. The device consists of twelve individual stickers, which are placed in two rows on the skin. The first sticker emits a small voltage, while the others measure changes to calculate the impedance. An algorithm can then determine the blood pressure based on the changes in impedance.
The graphene tattoo is made up of just two layers of graphene, which are applied to a copper foil and protected by a 200-nanometer-thick acrylic layer. Once applied, the patient cannot feel the device on their skin. The device can also measure pulse rate and can be worn during exercise. In an experiment with seven participants, the device was found to be just as accurate as traditional blood pressure monitors. Currently, the device is connected to external electronics via metal wires, but it could be integrated into a smartwatch or connected wirelessly in the future.
This new device could revolutionize blood pressure monitoring, as it is much less invasive and more comfortable for patients. It could also provide doctors with a more accurate picture of blood pressure changes throughout the day. The device is still in the experimental stage, but it has the potential to be a game-changer in the field of blood pressure monitoring.
