• 센서학회지
• /
• 제32권6호
• /
• pp.335-339
• /
• 2023

Skin-compatible electronics have evolved to achieve both conformality and stretchability for stable contact with deformable biological skin. While existing research has largely concentrated on alternative materials, the potential of Parylene-based thin-film electrodes for stretchable on-skin applications remains relatively untapped. This study proposes an engineering strategy to achieve stretchability using the Parylene thin-film electrode. Unlike the conventional Parylene thin-film electrode, we introduce morphological adaptability via controlled microscale slits in the Parylene electrode structure. The slits-containing device enables unprecedented stretchability while maintaining critical electrical insulation properties during mechanical deformation. Finally, the demonstration on human skin shows the mechanical adaptability of these Parylene-based bioelectrodes while their electrical characteristics remain stable during various stretching conditions. Owing to the ultra-thinness of the Parylene coating, the wearable bioelectrode not only achieves stretchability but also conforms to the skin. Our findings broaden the practical use of Parylene thin-film bioelectrodes.

• 센서학회지
• /
• 제32권6호
• /
• pp.352-356
• /
• 2023

The integration of bioelectronic devices with the skin is a promising strategy for personalized healthcare monitoring and diagnostics. On-skin bioelectrodes hold great potential for the real-time tracking of physiological parameters. However, persistent challenges of stability and reliability have instigated exploration beyond conventional noble metals. This study focuses on the ionic passivation and oxidation dynamics of copper-based on-skin thin-film bioelectrodes. Through parylene chemical vapor deposition, we harness a controlled thin film of parylene insulation to counter the intrinsic susceptibility of copper to oxidation in the ionic environment. The results represent the relationship among the parylene insulation thickness, copper oxidation, and electrode impedance over temporal intervals. Comparative analyses indicate that the short-term stability of the copper electrode is comparable to that of the gold electrode. Therefore, we propose a cost-effective strategy for fabricating copper-based on-skin bioelectrodes by introducing enhanced ionic stability within a discernible operational timeframe. This study enriches our understanding of on-skin bioelectronics and affordable material choices for practical use in wearable healthcare devices.

• 한국정밀공학회지
• /
• 제31권4호
• /
• pp.359-364
• /
• 2014

This paper describes the development of needle type probe that measures temperature and injects medicine for both diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal pain syndrome (MPS). The size of trigger points is from several micrometers to millimeter. Therefore, it is required to develop a medical device that is capable of not only finding the trigger points by temperature measurement, but also injecting medicine at the exact location for treatment. To challenge these difficulties, thermocouple was fabricated on the surface of a needle using metal deposition process. Special type of stainless-constantan thermocouple was achieved from the stainless body of a needle itself and deposited constantan metal film. In particular, parylene coating enables to limit the temperature sensitive area to the end of the needle tip. Fabricated needle type probe produces $3.25mV/^{\circ}C$ of thermoelectric sensitivity and compared its performance with commercial T-type thermocouple in animal muscle sample.