Smart patch combines real-time health monitoring and drug delivery

A DGIST research team, led by Professor Kyung-In Jang, has developed a smart patch capable of real-time biometric signal monitoring and drug delivery. This patch integrates various sensors and a drug delivery system into a single unit using a foldable structure, enabling real-time cardiovascular health monitoring and immediate drug administration when necessary. The research team expects this technology to be widely applicable across multiple medical fields, including glucose management, pain relief, and chronic disease treatment.

The research is published in the journal Nature Communications.

As society continues to age, the importance of personalized health care continues to grow. Consequently, interest is growing in wearable medical devices capable of real-time health monitoring and immediate treatment. However, existing wearable devices typically provide either biometric signal detection or drug delivery, with limitations in integrating multiple functions into a thin and stable structure.

To overcome these limitations, Professor Kyung-In Jang’s team designed a smart patch that integrates electrical and optical biometric signal sensors, a drug delivery system, and a wireless communication module into a foldable structure. This patch can automatically deliver drugs based on real-time biometric signals, enabling personalized treatment tailored to the user’s health condition(s).

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