Non-invasive and non-occlusive blood pressure estimation via a chest sensor.

The clinical demand for a device to monitor Blood Pressure (BP) in ambulatory scenarios with minimal use of inflation cuffs is increasing. Based on the so-called Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) principle, this paper introduces and evaluates a novel concept of BP monitor that can be fully integrated within a chest sensor. After a preliminary calibration, the sensor provides non-occlusive beat-by-beat estimations of Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) by measuring the Pulse Transit Time (PTT) of arterial pressure pulses travelling from the ascending aorta towards the subcutaneous vasculature of the chest. In a cohort of 15 healthy male subjects, a total of 462 simultaneous readings consisting of reference MAP and chest PTT were acquired. Each subject was recorded at three different days: D, D+3 and D+14. Overall, the implemented protocol induced MAP values to range from 80 ± 6 mmHg in baseline, to 107 ± 9 mmHg during isometric handgrip maneuvers. Agreement between reference and chest-sensor MAP values was tested by using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.78) and Bland-Altman analysis (mean error = 0.7 mmHg, standard deviation = 5.1 mmHg). The cumulative percentage of MAP values provided by the chest sensor falling within a range of ±5 mmHg compared to reference MAP readings was of 70%, within ±10 mmHg was of 91%, and within ±15mmHg was of 98%. These results point at the fact that the chest sensor complies with the British Hypertension Society (BHS) requirements of Grade A BP monitors, when applied to MAP readings. Grade A performance was maintained even two weeks after having performed the initial subject-dependent calibration. In conclusion, this paper introduces a sensor and a calibration strategy to perform MAP measurements at the chest. The encouraging performance of the presented technique paves the way towards an ambulatory-compliant, continuous and non-occlusive BP monitoring system.

A current-mode interface circuit for a piezoresistive pressure sensor

An interfacing circuit for piezoresistive pressure sensors based on CMOS current conveyors is presented. The main advantages of the proposed interfacing circuit include the use of a single piezoresistor, the capability of offset compensation, and a versatile current-mode configuration, with current output and current or voltage input. Experimental tests confirm linear relation of output voltage versus piezoresistance variation.

Assessing the Functionality and Biocompatibility of a Wireless Contact Lens Sensor for 24 hour-intraocular Pressure Monitoring in Volunteers: Preliminary Results

Purpose: In vitro studies in porcine eyes have demonstrated a good correlation between induced intraocular pressure variations and corneal curvature changes, using a contact lens with an embedded microfabricated strain gauge. Continuous 24 hour-intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring to detect large diurnal fluctuation is currently an unmet clinical need. The aims of this study is to evaluate precision of signal transmission and biocompatibility of 24 hour contact lens sensor wear (SENSIMED Triggerfish®) in humans. Methods: After full eye examination in 10 healthy volunteers, a 8.7 mm radius contact lens sensor and an orbital bandage containing a loop antenna were applied and connected to a portable recorder. Best corrected visual acuity and position, lubrication status and mobility of the sensor were assessed after 5 and 30 minutes, 4, 7 and 24 hours. Subjective comfort was scored and activities documented in a logbook. After sensor removal full eye examination was repeated, and the registration signal studied. Results: The comfort score was high and did not fluctuate significantly, except at the 7 hour-visit. The mobility of the contact lens was minimal but its lubrication remained good. Best corrected visual acuity was significantly reduced during the sensor wear and immediately after its removal. Three patients developed mild corneal staining. In all but one participant we obtained a registration IOP curve with visible ocular pulse amplitude. Conclusions: This 24 hour-trial confirmed the functionality and biocompatibility of SENSIMED Triggerfish® wireless contact lens sensor for IOP-fluctuation monitoring in volunteers. Further studies with a range of different contact lens sensor radii are indicated.

Designing and testing of a sensor based on a magnetoresistive manganese perovskite thick film

In this paper we report on the growth of thick films of magnetoresistive La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 by using spray and screen printing techniques on various substrates (Al2O3 and ZrO2). The growth conditions are explored in order to optimize the microstructure of the films. The films display a room-temperature magnetoresistance of 0.0012%/Oe in the 1 kOe field region. A magnetic sensor is described and tested.

La1-xSrxMnO3 as a candidate for a room temperature pressure sensor /

Perovskite manganite compounds, Lai-xDxMnOs (D-divalent alkaline earth Ca, Sr or Ba), whose electrical and magnetic properties were first investigated nearly a half century ago, have attracted a great deal of attention due to their rich phase diagram. From the point of view of designing a future application, the strong pressure dependence of the resistivity and the accompanying effects in thin films have potential for application in pressure sensing and electronic devices. In this study we report our experimental investigations of pressure dependence of the resistivity of Lao.siSvo^iQMnOs and Lai-xSvxMnOs (LSMO) epitaxial films with x= 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, on SrTiOs substrates.

An Inter-digital Capacitive Electrode Modified as a Pressure Sensor

Inter-digital capacitive electrodes working as electric field sensors have been developed for touch panel applications. Evaluation circuits to convert variations in electric fields in such sensors into computer compatible data are commercially available. We report development of an Interdigital capacitive electrode working as a sensitive pressure sensor in the range 0-120 kPa. Essentially it is a touch/proximity sensor converted into a pressure sensor with a suitable elastomer buffer medium acting as the pressure transmitter. The performance of the sensor has been evaluated and reported. Such sensors can be made very economical in comparison to existing pressure sensors. Moreover, they are very convenient to be fabricated into sensor arrays involving a number of sensors for distributed pressure sensing applications such as in biomedical systems.

A layer-by-layer film of chitosan in a taste sensor application

Chitosan is alternated with sulfonated polystyrene (PSS) to build layer-by-layer (LBL) films that are used as sensing units in an electronic tongue. Using impedance spectroscopy as the principle method of detection, an array using chitosan/PSS LBL film and a bare gold electrode as the sensing units was capable of distinguishing the basic tastes - salty, sweet, bitter, and sour - to a concentration below the human threshold. The suitability of chitosan as a sensing material was confirmed by using this sensor to distinguish red wines according to their vintage, vineyard, and brands.

An electrochemical sensor for (L)-dopa based on oxovanadium-salen thin film electrode applied flow injection system

An oxovanadium-salen complex (NAP-ethylene-bis(salicylidenciminato) oxovanadium) thin film deposited on a graphite-polyurethane electrode was investigated with regard to its potential use for detection of L-dopa in flow injection system. The oxovanadium(IV)/oxovanadium(V) redox couple of the modified electrode was found to mediate the L-dopa oxidation before its use in the FIA system. Experimental parameters, such as pH of the carrier solution, flow rate, sample volume injection and probable interferents were investigated. Under the optimized FIA conditions, the amperometric signal was linearly dependent on the L-dopa concentration over the range 1.0 x 10(-1) to 1.0 x 10(-4) mol L-1 (I-anodic, mu A) = 0.01 + 0.25 [L-dopa mu mol L-1]) with a detection limit (S/N = 3) of 8.0 x 10(-7) mol L-1 and a sampling frequency of 90 h(-1) was achieved. For a concentration of 1.0 x 10(-5) mol L-1 L-dopa, the R.S.D. of nine consecutive measurements was 3.7%. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrochemical sensor for sulfite determination based on a nanostructured copper-salen film modified electrode

The electrochemical preparation described herein involved the electrocatalytic oxidation of sulfite on a platinum electrode modified with nanostructured copper salen (salen=N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato)) polymer films. The complex was prepared and electropolymerized at a platinum electrode in a 0.1 mol L-1 solution of tetrabutylammonium perchlorate in acetonitrile by cyclic voltammetry between 0 and 1.4V vs. SCE. After cycling the modified electrode in a 0.50 mol L-1 KCI solution, the estimated surface concentration was found to be equal to 2.2 x 10(-9) Mol cm(-2). This is a typical behavior of an electrode surface immobilized with a redox couple that can usually be considered as a reversible single-electron reduction/oxidation of the copper(II)/copper(III) couple. The potential peaks of the modified electrode in the electrolyte solution (aqueous) containing the different anions increase with the decrease of the ionic radius, demonstrating that the counter-ions influence the voltammetric behavior of the sensor. The potential peak was found to be linearly dependent upon the ratio [ionic charge]/[ionic radius]. The oxidation of the sulfite anion was performed at the platinum electrode at +0.9V vs. SCE. However, a significant decrease in the overpotential (+0.45V) was obtained while using the sensor, which minimized the effect of oxidizable interferences. A plot of the anodic current vs. the sulfite concentration for chronoamperometry (potential fixed = +0.45V) at the sensor was linear in the 4.0 x 10(-6) to 6.9 x 10(-5) mol L-1 concentration range and the concentration limit was 1.2 x 10(-6) mol L-1. The reaction order with respect to sulfite was determined by the slope of the logarithm of the current vs. the logarithm of the sulfite concentration. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development of an electrochemical sensor for determination of dissolved oxygen by nickel-salen polymeric film modified electrode

An amperometric oxygen sensor based on a polymeric nickel-salen (salen = N,N'-ethylene bis(salicylideneiminato)) film coated platinum electrode was developed. The sensor was constructed by electropolymerization of nickel-salen complex at platinum electrode in acetonitrile/tetrabutylammonium perchlorate by cyclic voltammetry. The voltammetric behavior of the sensor was investigated in 0.5 mol L-1 KCl solution in the absence and presence of molecular oxygen. Thus, with the addition of oxygen to the solution, the increase of cathodic peak current (at -0.25 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE)) of the modified electrode was observed. This result shows that the nickel-salen film on electrode surface promotes the reduction of oxygen. The reaction can be brought about electrochemically, where the nickel(II) complex is first reduced to a nickel(I) complex at the electrode surface. The nickel(I) complex then undergoes a catalytic oxidation by the molecular oxygen in solution back to the nickel(II) complex, which can then be electrochemically re-reduced to produce an enhancement of the cathodic current. The Tafel plot analyses have been used to elucidate the kinetics and mechanism of the oxygen reduction. A plot of the cathodic current vs. the dissolved oxygen concentration for chronoamperometry (fixed potential = -0.25 V vs. SCE) at the sensor was linear in the 3.95-9.20 mg L-1 concentration range and the concentration limit was 0.17 mg L-1 O-2. The proposed electrode is useful for the quality control and routine analysis of dissolved oxygen in commercial samples and environmental water. The results obtained for the levels of dissolved oxygen are in agreement with the results obtained with a commercial O-2 sensor. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An electrochemical sensor for dipyrone determination based on nickel-salen film modified electrode

An amperometric dipyrone sensor based on a polymeric nickel-salen (salen = N,N'-ethylenebis(salicydeneiminato)) film coated platinum electrode was developed. The sensor was constructed by electropolymerization of nickel-salen complex at a platinum electrode in acetonitrile/tetrabuthylamonium perchlorate by cyclic voltammetry. After cycling the modified electrode in a 0.50 mol L-1 KCl solution, the estimated surface concentration was found to be equal to 1.29 x 10(-9) mol cm(-2). This is a typical behavior of an electrode surface immobilized with a redox couple that can usually be considered as a reversible single-electron reduction/oxidation of the nickel(II)/nickel(III) couple. A plot of the anodic current versus the dipyrone concentration for chronoamperometry (potential fixed = +0.50 V) at the sensor was linear in the 4.7 x 10(-6) to 1.1 x 10(-4) mol L-1 concentration range and the concentration limit was 1.2 x 10(-6) mol L-1. The proposed electrode is useful for the quality control and routine analysis of dipyrone in pharmaceutical formulations.

Development of Nanostructured Electrochemical Sensor Based on Polymer Film Nickel-Salen for Determination of Dissolved Oxygen

An amperometric oxygen sensor based on a polymeric nickel-salen (salen = N,N '-ethylenebis(salicydeneiminato)) film coated platinum electrode was developed. The sensor was constructed by electropolymerization of nickel-salen complex at a platinum electrode in acetonitrile/tetrabuthylamonium perchlorate by cyclic voltammetry. The voltammetric behavior of the modified electrode was investigated in 0.5 mol L-1 KCl solution in the absence and presende of molecular oxygen. A significant increased of cathodic peak current (at -0.20 vs. SCE) of the modified electrode with addition of oxygen to the solution was observed. This result shows that the nickel-salen film on the surface of the electrode promotes the reduction of oxygen. The reaction can be brought about electrochemically where in the nickel(II) complex is first reduced to a nickel(I) complex at the electrode surface. The nickel(I) complex then undergoes a catalytic oxidation by the oxygen molecular in solution back to the nickel(II) complex, which can then be electrochemically re-reduced to produce an enhancement of the cathodic current. The plot of the cathodic current versus the dissolved oxygen concentration for chronoamperometry (potential fixed = -0.20 V) at the sensor was linear in the concentration range of 3.95 to 9.20 mg L-1 with concentration limit of 0.17 mg L-1 O-2. The modified electrode proposed is useful for the quality control and routine analysis of dissolved oxygen in commercial water and environmental water samples. The results obtained for the levels of dissolved oxygen are in agreement with the results obtained with an O-2 commercial sensor. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Pyroelectric composite film for X-ray intensity detection

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Voltammetric sensor for amoxicillin determination in human urine using polyglutamic acid/glutaraldehyde film

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Surface pressure-area isotherms for Langmuir monolayers and a docking molecular orientation of perylene tetracarboxylic derivatives on a water surface

The surface pressure-molecular area (pi-A) isotherms for Langmuir monolayers of four perylenetetracarboxylic (PTCD) derivatives, measured with varying subphase temperatures and compression speeds, are reported. The behavior of these PTCD derivatives at the water-air interface is modeled using the rigid docking method. This approach is the first attempt to model the molecular orientation of PTCD on the water surface to be compared with experimental Langmuir isotherms. Through this methodology, it would be possible to anticipate aggregation and determine if favorable spatial orientations of perylenes are generated on the water surface. The pi-A isotherm experiments show that these molecules can support high surface pressures, indicating strong packing on the water surface and that the isotherms are compression speed independent but temperature dependent. The molecular orientation and stacking was further examined in Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) monolayers deposited onto glass and glass coated with Ag island films using UV-visible absorption and surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF) measurements.