Mar 4 2014
The new smart sensor technology, which can be woven into any fabric and incorporated into any garment, has been developed by researchers Professor Ahmed Al-Shamma’a, Dr Andrew Shaw, Dr Alex Mason and Dr Stephen Wylie from LJMU's Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies (BEST) Research Institute.
Image of Professor Ahmed Al-Shamma’a and John Alty, Chief Executive and Comptroller General of the UK Intellectual Property Office
Invisible and undetectable to the wearer, these non-invasive sensors are sensitive enough to pick up vital signs and transmit these readings in real time to devices located many metres away. This means a patient’s heart rate, blood oxygen levels and body temperature could be continually monitored without having to hook them up to a machine.
Professor Al-Shamma’a said:
"While we are still in the early stages of development, the range of potential applications for this wearable sensor technology is immense. The traditional hospital identity bracelet, for example, could eventually be adapted to include this sensor technology. Ultimately, whether worn in the hospital or at home, this technology could represent significant potential cost saving advantages for the NHS and could also improve patient care."