I-Corps: Wearable Magnetoelastic Generator for Atrial Fibrillation

I-Corps项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发用于心脏监测的磁弹性发生器（MEG）手环。目前的设备需要外部电源和间歇性充电，并提供长达两个月的监测。植入式装置可以维持两年。相比之下，所提出的手环采用自供电的两步能量转换方法，在不需要电源的情况下，连续地将脉冲转换为高保真度、可分析的电信号。这允许不间断的监控。目前使用的设备不是连续的，使用起来也不方便，因为它们需要患者有意识地测量自己的脉搏。该设备的连续数据收集功能消除了电池排水和间歇充电周期的问题。此外，该设备可作为非侵入性和连续诊断工具使用。这个I-Corps项目的基础是开发一种监测心房颤动的装置。它使用人体动脉脉搏波，并将其转换为高保真度和可分析的电信号，以自供电的方式工作。该装置利用软系统中的巨磁弹性效应，使其适用于可穿戴生物电子产品。提出的纺织可穿戴磁弹性发电机（MEG）由两种类型的纤维组成，并在两步能量转换上运行，包括机械到磁和磁到电的转换。这些纤维的编织将完成机械到电力转换的循环。这使得设备自供电，消除了对电池等外部电源的需要。此外，由于磁场可以穿过水而不会造成显著的性能损失，因此该设备本质上是防水的。先前的研究测试了体外MEG的材料效率和可靠性，与传统的血压监测仪相比，两者的差异为1.2%。此外，所提出的技术可以用于测量心率、呼吸频率和运动，从而导致更准确、有效和非侵入性诊断工具的发展。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of a magnetoelastic generator (MEG) bracelet for cardiac monitoring. Current devices need an external power supply and intermittent charging and provide monitoring for up to two months. Implantable devices can do so for two years. In contrast, the proposed bracelet employs a self-powered two-step energy conversion method that continuously transforms pulses into high-fidelity, analyzable electrical signals without requiring a power source. This allows for uninterrupted monitoring. Currently used devices are not continuous and inconvenient to use because they require the patient to measure their pulse deliberately. The proposed device's continuous data collection feature eliminates the problems of battery drainage and intermittent charging periods. Additionally, this device may be used as a non-invasive and continuous diagnostic tool.This I-Corps project is based on the development of a device to monitor atrial fibrillation. It uses human arterial pulse waves and converts them into high-fidelity and analyzable electrical signals, working in a self-powered manner. The device utilizes the giant magnetoelastic effect in soft systems, making it adaptable for wearable bioelectronics. The proposed textile wearable magnetoelastic generator (MEG) consists of two types of fibers and operates on a two-step energy conversion, including mechanical-to-magnetic and magnetic-to-electrical conversions. A weaving of those fibers will complete the cycle of mechanical-to-electrical conversion. This makes the device self-powered and eliminates the need for an external power source such as a battery. In addition, since magnetic fields can pass through water without significant performance loss, the device is intrinsically waterproof. Previous research testing the efficiency of the materials and reliability of the MEG in-vitro compared favorably with traditional blood pressure monitors with a 1.2% difference. In addition, the proposed technology may be implemented to measure heart rate, respiratory rate, and movements, leading to the development of more accurate, efficient, and non-invasive diagnostic tools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.