Title:
Optimizing the Mechanical Design of Wearable Multimodal Biosensing Systems Towards Recording in Dynamic Settings
Optimizing the Mechanical Design of Wearable Multimodal Biosensing Systems Towards Recording in Dynamic Settings
Author(s)
Nichols, Christopher James
Advisor(s)
Inan, Omer T.
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Abstract
Wearable sensing technologies have demonstrated their capabilities in both clinical and in-lab settings to non-invasively measure health biomarkers and show potential for sensing at home. However, a substantial gap of quality exists within literature between devices which are “wearable” and devices which are truly viable for consumer use. These device form factor limitations can lower user compliance, impair data quality, and impact usability in uncontrolled settings. This work aims to address the mechanical design shortcomings of non-invasive wearable devices by improving their performance and viability for dynamic out-of-lab settings. Specifically, it concentrates on the optimization of a wearable multimodal knee health monitoring system to measure high quality biosignals – joint acoustic emissions, electrical bioimpedance, and joint kinematics – in both clinical as well as at-home and mid-activity settings. The design and hardware enhancements shortened the time required to accurately attach the system onto individuals, increased device robustness, and helped migrate the system towards adhesive-free biosensing. Moreover, an alternate version of the system was optimized for multimodal bioimpedance measurement in out-of-lab settings. This compact design enabled accurate at-home and mid-activity MFBIA which were used to predict muscle force, fatigue, and recovery. The following MS dissertation elaborates upon the optimizations of both form factors and highlights the trials and successes from acquiring health information in previously inaccessible dynamic settings. It also examines future directions for these wearable sensing systems and the potential furthering of their mechanical design. Designing novel wearable devices for use in diverse and uncontrolled environments allows for more acute tracking of health parameters and is a crucial step towards expanding the accessibility and impact of wearable health technologies.
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Date Issued
2022-07-19
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