When most people think about wearable electronics, the first image that comes to mind is the smartwatch on their wrist. In reality, there are many highly advanced sensors that are being created in the healthcare sector. They keep track of much more than the number of steps you take, and can provide life-saving data to help doctors assess patient health.
Wearables in Healthcare
There are many applications for wearable sensors, including monitoring neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease. These sensors provide clinical grade data from patients regardless of whether they are in a medical office or taking care of errands at home. This can be extremely useful since symptoms may come and go throughout the day, and won’t always be obvious at a doctor’s visit.
Another type of wearable sensor is the UV patch which can monitor sun exposure. The user puts on a slim patch that measures how much UV exposure they’re getting from the sun. Considering most people don’t put on enough sunscreen and many forget to reapply it often enough, this patch can be a great tool for anyone who loves the sun but is concerned about rising skin cancer rates. This can be especially useful as the seasons change, since people are still spending time outdoors but may be less worried about sun exposure in the cooler temperatures.
Sensors in Professional Settings
Wearable sensors have also entered the workplace. Now companies can effectively monitor their workforce and identify risks from poor ergonomics or repetitive movements. If workers are improperly lifting heavy items, or straining regularly throughout the day, it can result in injuries. By tracking worker movement, employers can see where improvement is needed and provide necessary training. This can improve safety and productivity while reducing costs and downtime.
The sports industry has also caught on to this technology and has been using wearable sensors. Riddell, long known for their football sports equipment, is using sensors inside of helmets to determine the impact of hits to a player’s body. To date, Riddell has monitored over two million hits to players. This data can be used to monitor issues such as concussions.
If you have an idea for a new way to use diagnostic sensors, we invite you to get in touch via email at info@techprintinc.com to see how we can help. Techprint’s design and manufacturing capabilities support many custom wearable applications.