Informatietype:
Project

Sensor mat: contact-free measurement of vital bodily signs

Measuring a person’s vital signs, such as their heart rate and respiration, usually only provides a snapshot and always involves attaching equipment to their body. Wouldn’t it be great if we could continuously monitor babies at home or patients in a hospital, for example, without the need for any plasters, tubes, or wires? This is now possible thanks to the sensor mat, developed by TNO at the Holst Centre.

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Heart rate, respiration, position

The mat contains numerous sensors, which have been printed onto an ultra-thin film incorporated into or laid under a special mattress. Apart from heart rate and respiration, they can also detect a person’s position and movements. By measuring body pressure at many different points across the hypersensitive mat, it is possible to deduce whether or not a baby is sleeping peacefully, for example. Parents get accurate, real-time information on their smartphone about how their child is lying and breathing. The next step will involve adding sensors to measure blood pressure, body temperature, and humidity.

Comfortable method

The sensor mat is based on printed electronics technology, one of TNO’s particular specialisms at the Holst Centre. This technology allows sensors to be applied to a large, ultra-thin surface. Several hundred so-called piezoelectric sensors have been printed onto the mat. Because the substrate is soft and flexible, it is comfortable for the patient. The sensor mat allows the contact-free measurement of vital signs and activities without the patient noticing anything. Besides a bed, the sensor mat could also be integrated into the seat and back of an office chair or car seat to monitor functions, activities, or alertness.

Measuring over a longer period

Real-time information about the condition of a child or patient is useful, but collecting such data over a longer period opens up many more applications. A clear picture emerges of sleep behaviour, growth, and other key indicators of a person’s health and patterns can be identified. These, in turn, can be a predictor of possible health conditions. Thanks to TNO’s in-depth knowledge of ICT and smart algorithms, the data can be collected and used completely securely.

Monitoring patients at home

The sensor mat can potentially play an important role in healthcare and in reducing costs. In many cases bedridden patients will be able to return home more quickly, as it will be possible to monitor them constantly in a contact-free way. Another possible application will be to incorporate the flexible and stretchable printed sensors into the clothing of elite athletes, so that the data obtained can be used to improve their performance.

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Flying Food takes next step in protein transition with crickets in Africa

Informatietype:
Insight
31 May 2023

With the Flying Food project, TNO, together with partners, is committed to accelerating the protein transition in Africa. The Flying Food consortium is setting up a value chain using crickets as a healthy food.

Symposium: Optimising food and fibre composition

Informatietype:
Event

Trends towards more plant-based foods and alternatives for meat and diary are expected to result in a higher intake of a wide range of fibres. These developments offer new opportunities for optimising food and fibre composition. The symposium will highlight these developments with examples of recent insights and results and will discuss ways for further exploring this complex and challenging field.

Startdatum:
Locatie:
Naturalis Leiden, Darwinweg 2

Ancora Health develops personal diabetes plan with 360 methodology

Informatietype:
Insight
11 May 2023

With the help of TNO's knowledge of diabetic typing, Ancora Health wants to implement a diabetes lifestyle programme within healthcare.

MixMasters uses TNO phenotype test to offer personalised nutrition

Informatietype:
Insight
11 May 2023

TNO is helping MixMasters answer the question 'How can we personalise while remaining user-friendly?' Moreover, during their collaboration, the idea for a new concept was born: FoodiYou.

Personalised Health: Take it personal

Informatietype:
Insight
17 April 2023

TNO helps companies develop scientifically based personalised health applications. Knowledge is translated into applications by using a systems approach, and personalised health is put into practice. An example of this is the collaboration with Gabriele Ronnett of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health Company.