What Is the Device and How Is It Unique?
A non-contact wearable sensor developed by U.S. and South Korean researchers.
It’s a small, wearable device about the size of a smartphone face.
Unlike typical wearables, it does not touch the skin directly.
It measures substances like water vapour, CO₂, and volatile organic compounds that pass through the skin.
This can help monitor general health and skin condition without causing harm to sensitive skin, such as wounds.
Why Is It Important?
It can help detect early signs of diseases or health issues in a remote and cost-effective way.
Useful for monitoring wound healing in diabetes without touching the wound.
Can also help check for harmful chemicals entering through the skin, making it useful for people working in risky environments.
Adds new data beyond traditional vitals like heart rate or temperature.
How Does the Device Work?
It creates a sealed microclimate over the skin using a chamber.
Small sensors inside measure how quickly water vapour or gases build up when a valve is closed.
Opening and closing the valve helps calculate how fast these substances move through the skin — this is called the flux.
The device sends data wirelessly to your phone and can be placed anywhere on the body.
Potential Uses and Future Impact
Could become a new type of vital sign to help doctors track health without constant physical checkups.
May be useful in the perfume industry or even in treating burn victims, once more testing is done.
Helps better understand how the skin functions as a barrier and how its health reflects overall body condition.
May lead to more personalized and proactive healthcare using non-invasive tools.
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