BodyNET: Sensor System for wearable electronics

Stanford researchers at the Bao Research Group have patented a body area sensor network (bodyNET) that can be used to monitor human physiological signals for next-generation personalized healthcare. BodyNET is composed of chip-free and battery-free stretchable on-skin sensor tags that are wirelessly linked to flexible readout circuits attached to textiles.
Graphical Abstract

Figure description - a Schematic to describe a sensor node that thoroughly eliminates the interconnect between rigid and soft components. A stretchable sensor is conformably attached on skin and collects the signals. The information is wirelessly read out by a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) initiator on clothing. b,c, Schematics for conventional Bluetooth (b) and NFC (c) designs that have been developed previously for wearable sensors. d, Design concept of the bodyNET. e, Photograph of one sensor node for sensing the pulse on a human wrist. f, Photo of a person wearing multiple skin sensors. g, Photograph of on-skin sensors with different designs. h, Photo of a stretched target. i Photo of a bent FPCB initiator.

Image credit: Bao Research Group

Stage of Development

Tested Prototype

Demonstrated that the flexible bodyNET system can be used to simultaneously and continuously analyze a person's pulse, breath and body movement

Stanford News Article,
"Stanford engineers have developed wireless sensors that stick to the skin to track our health" August 16, 2019

Related Technologies
Stanford Docket S19-292 "Stretchable multi-sensor tag for wearable electronics"
Stanford Docket S19-032 "Coupling Insensitive compact reader for fully-passive sensors"