Smart Threads

INTEGRATED MICROFLUIDS, SENSORS AND ELECTRONICS ON THREAD 

Smart devices have changed how we interact with every aspect of our lives, including our healthcare. Health-conscious consumers utilize smart phones, watches, and even pills to aid in maintaining their well-being.  There have even been some implantable devices which can continuously monitor  physiological states, for example glucose levels in diabetic patients.  Researchers at Tufts University have developed an implantable, conductive nanothread platform capable of making enhanced measurements of multiple physiological parameters simultaneously and continuously, and reporting these measurements wirelessly.

The nanoscale threads developed by Professor Sameer Sonkusale integrate sensors, electronics, and a thread material, all customizable to the desired application and tissue. A variety of conductive threads were connected to wireless electronic circuitry to create a flexible platform. The threads collect data on tissue health (e.g. pressure, stress, strain, and temperature), pH, and glucose levels that can be used to determine such things as how a wound is healing, whether infection is emerging, or whether the body’s chemistry is out of balance. The results are transmitted wirelessly to a cell phone and computer.

 Competitive advantages

Minimally invasive: implantation at different sites all integrated wirelessly 

Flexible: threads can be customized to a particular application

Dual use: can be used to monitor and deliver therapeutics 

                        

Applications

Applications include, but are not limited to, smart sutures for surgical implants, smart bandages to monitor wound healing, or smart threads integrated with textile or fabric as personalized health monitors and point-of-care diagnostics.

Intellectual property • THREAD BASED DIAGNOSTICS: INTEGRATED MICROFLUIDS, SENSORS AND ELECTRONICS ON THREAD __ Uu Sblication WO2017023727

Tufts University Invention T002069

Licensing Contact

Chiara Vannucci
Chiara.Vannucci@tufts.edu