Epidermal RFID passive sensor for body temperature measurements | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore

Epidermal RFID passive sensor for body temperature measurements


Abstract:

Real-time and continuous wireless measurement of human body temperature could enable a better control of many pathologies such as the wounds infection after surgery and t...Show More

Abstract:

Real-time and continuous wireless measurement of human body temperature could enable a better control of many pathologies such as the wounds infection after surgery and the evolution of epidemics involving fever rush, as well as the monitor of athletic activities. This paper describes an RFID passive UHF epidermal sensor suitable to be directly attached onto the human skin by means of a bio-compatible transpiring Poli(ε-caprolacton) (PCL) membrane. The antenna elements provide a broad matching band and even a post-fabrication tuning mechanism to better manage the specific placement over the body. The temperature is directly measured by the EM4325 microchip, also providing RFID communication capabilities. The epidermal sensor, that can be read up to 35 cm in case of 0.5 W EIRP emitted by the reader, has been moreover thermally calibrated versus a thermocouple and then applied to the measurement of human body temperature in both static and dynamic conditions with an accuracy of about 0.25°C with respect to reference measurements.
Date of Conference: 08-09 September 2014
Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 23 October 2014
Electronic ISBN:978-1-4799-4680-8
Conference Location: Tampere, Finland

I. Introduction

The wireless and continuous measurement of human body temperature may open new frontiers in the monitor and control of pathologies involving fever rush, such as the SARS epidemic [1], and to take care of the skin infection around wounds and lesions. Moreover, variations of skin temperature are common indicators of brain activity and of particular psychological states. Long-term assessment of skin temperature can also provide accurate profiles of the circadian-system activity (for instance skin warming is functionally linked to sleep propensity).

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References

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