Global semiconductor manufacturer STMicroelectronics is working with DuPont to co-develop a new smart wearable device for monitoring.
The DuPont Liveo Smart Biosensing Patch is a new flexible intelligent electronic skin patch platform for remote cardiac monitoring. MedicalExpo spoke with Oriana Di Marco, Head of Health and Wellbeing, Strategic Marketing and Business Development EMEA at ST:
“This is our latest remote monitoring solution to address the needs of compact integrated electronics and a reliable, predictive, cost-effective, long-lasting patch. The e-skin patch platform combines STMicroelectronics’ and DuPont’s reciprocal expertise, as a reference design for multiple uses and users. The first application is for cardiac monitoring thanks to ST’s on-chip analog sensing for electrocardiography (ECG), highly sensitive accelerometers for seismocardiography (SCG) – to compute the cardiac intervals to verify the opening and closing of the aortic and mitral valves – analog to digital conversion, human body motion analysis and embedded digital processing artificial intelligence (AI). DuPont’s conductive tape and soft skin adhesive, with its recognized medical-grade technologies, non-irritating and non-traumatic adhesive removal, allows long-term wear and monitoring of vital signs for seven days or more.”
Medical Innovation
DuPont Liveo, part of the DuPont family, is a leader in technology for a broad range of innovations in medical devices, biopharmaceutical processing, and pharmaceutical solutions.
Headquartered in Switzerland, ST is a trusted provider of high-quality semiconductor components. This enables the development of breakthrough medical systems in medical imaging, diagnostic devices, and therapeutics.
“We are committed to supporting our customers and the whole ecosystem to transform the healthcare sector to design and develop the most diverse varies of digital technologies and solutions to improve our lifestyle, patient monitoring, and diagnostics instruments,” said Ms Di Marco.
The DuPont Liveo Smart Biosensing Patch features a compact design that synchronizes dual-measurement of electrical and mechanical biosignals, ECG, and SCG. This technology, utilizing ST’s new biosensors, enables the derivation of vital signs and health indicators, she explained.
“Another valuable aspect to exploiting the integration of motion and biosignal sensing relies on the possibility of understanding the user or patient’s context and activity, adapting to it, and increasing wearable battery life. Further, while working on current wearable solutions mainly to track mobility and vital signs, we are also exploring the use of our electronics in wearable platforms for non-invasive monitoring health parameters at the molecular level like glucose and other analytes.”
Integrating Technologies
ST has always worked on breakthrough technologies in different medical fields. This includes the first miniaturized molecular diagnostics systems for pandemics to continuous glucose monitoring for diabetes management, as well as patient remote monitoring solutions.
“But innovation can be faster than market awareness and readiness. Nowadays, healthcare is facing a revolution and the speed of technological advancements is superseding its absorption and possible implementations of these innovations in the actual context, even in the most advanced countries. I believe now we are starting the era of ‘technology awareness’ – an era where the use of technology is not only for gadgets but a must-have, where physicians and healthcare providers can potentially explore the right solutions for the right problems.”
However, clinical evidence and testing are required to envision a massive deployment of any new digital solutions – especially AI-based solutions. The main challenge that persists is a smooth integration of these technologies into the normal clinical workflow.
