Human portable health monitoring device based on body surface microorganisms

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of human portable health monitoring device based on body surface microorganism, belong to wearable health monitoring equipment technical field, including microbial fuel cell from outside to inside is cover layer, cathode, separator, anode in turn;Anode material selects carbon cloth and porous nanoparticle combination, uses porous carbon nanoparticle to modify anode carbon cloth, increases anode surface area, improves reaction rate and power generation microorganism content;Cathode material selects silver oxide and TiO2 combination, increases catalyst activity, conductivity and stability.The present application provides long-acting stable energy self-supply health monitoring device, and health monitoring device based on microbial fuel cell;Realize health monitoring device miniaturization, portable, can real-time;Utilize the characteristics of silver oxide self-circulation, realize high efficiency at the same time reduce material cost, easy to market and popularization of product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wearable health monitoring equipment technology, and more specifically to a portable human health monitoring device based on surface microorganisms. Background Technology

[0002] Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) utilize microorganisms on the human body's surface to oxidize organic matter in sweat, generating electrical signals that can predict and promptly treat health conditions. With advancements in artificial intelligence and biomaterials, electronic skin holds great potential. However, it currently faces several challenges, including short battery life, susceptibility to electrolyte acidification in MFCs requiring substantial budgets for battery replacements, low power generation efficiency necessitating the development of electrode materials with excellent conductivity and low resistance, and the inefficient enzyme catalysis limiting development of sweat collection-based fuel cells. Microbial fuel cells, however, offer advantages such as mild reaction conditions, cleanliness, and high efficiency. With further research and advancements in bioelectrochemistry, electronic skin will be widely adopted, enabling human health monitoring while simultaneously meeting our diverse energy needs.

[0003] Research and development on flexible electronic skin and flexible batteries is increasing, and these are becoming more and more common wearable sensors for monitoring human pulse, respiration, and systolic blood pressure. However, the field of organic matter monitoring is currently relatively unexplored. Furthermore, compared to other batteries, using microbial fuel cells as a power source—taking from and supplying to humans—offers better sustainability and is more environmentally friendly.

[0004] Currently, most health monitoring devices on the market are relatively large and require external power supplies. Products utilizing microorganisms on the human body surface as catalysts to oxidize organic matter in sweat and generate electricity for wearable health monitoring are not yet widespread. Enzyme fuel cells, as the primary sweat-based power source for traditional wearable electronic products, cannot provide reliable, long-lasting, and stable power generation, and lack self-sustainability and long-term stability. While nickel foam is a commonly used cathode material in existing technologies, experiments have shown that prolonged operation leads to salt precipitation, blocking oxygen diffusion channels within the cathode, hindering the reaction, and preventing in-situ regeneration of the electrode material. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a portable human health monitoring device based on surface microorganisms, so as to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A portable human health monitoring device based on skin microorganisms includes: a microbial fuel cell for wearing on the surface of human skin to generate an electric current by oxidizing organic matter in sweat using microorganisms; a data processing unit connected to the microbial fuel cell to receive the current signal generated by the microbial fuel cell; and a data display unit connected to the data processing unit to display changes in the electrical signal to achieve the purpose of monitoring human health.

[0008] The microbial fuel cell consists of a cover layer, a cathode, a separator layer, and an anode from the outside to the inside. The anode material is a combination of carbon cloth and porous nanoparticles. The porous carbon nanoparticles are used to modify the anode carbon cloth to increase the anode surface area, improve the reaction rate, and increase the content of electrogenic microorganisms. The cathode material is a combination of silver oxide and TiO2 to increase catalyst activity, conductivity, and stability.

[0009] The beneficial effects of this invention are: it provides a long-lasting and stable energy self-supplied health monitoring device, and a health monitoring device based on a microbial fuel cell; it enables the miniaturization, portability, and real-time capability of the health monitoring device; and it utilizes the self-recycling characteristics of silver oxide to reduce material costs while achieving high reaction efficiency, facilitating the marketization and popularization of the product.

[0010] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will become apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0012] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a microbial fuel cell as described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the voltage changes of the microbial fuel cell device described in an embodiment of the present invention in pure water and high saline high glucose concentration solutions.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the 24-hour voltage change on the human skin surface as described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Wherein: 1-Covering layer; 2-Cathode; 3-Segmentation layer; 4-Anode; 5-Microbial enrichment layer; 6-Skin surface. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0017] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0018] It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in general dictionaries should be understood to have meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the prior art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless defined as here.

[0019] Those skilled in the art will understand that, unless specifically stated otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” used herein may also include the plural forms. It should be further understood that the term “comprising” as used in this specification means the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or groups thereof.

[0020] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of those different embodiments or examples.

[0021] In the description of this specification, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0022] In the description of this specification, the terms “center,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” and “outer,” etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this technology and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this technology.

[0023] Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "setting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection or setting, a detachable connection or setting, or an integral connection or setting. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this art according to the specific circumstances.

[0024] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be further explained and described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. However, the specific embodiments do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Those skilled in the art should understand that the accompanying drawings are merely schematic diagrams of embodiments, and the components in the drawings are not necessarily essential for implementing the present invention.

[0026] In one specific embodiment, an electronic skin patch and a wearable sensor are connected in series. The former is used to generate electricity, and the latter is used to monitor pulse, respiration, and systolic blood pressure, thereby realizing an integrated organic matter monitoring device that combines sensors and a microbial fuel cell. A portable human health monitoring device based on skin microorganisms includes: a microbial fuel cell for wearing on the surface of human skin, utilizing microorganisms to oxidize organic matter in sweat to generate current; a data processing unit connected to the microbial fuel cell to receive the current signal generated by the microbial fuel cell; and a data display unit connected to the data processing unit for displaying changes in the electrical signal to achieve the purpose of monitoring human health.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the microbial fuel cell consists of a cover layer 1, a cathode 2, a separator layer 3, and an anode 4 from the outside in. During use, the anode is in close contact with the surface of human skin 6. The skin surface, especially when damp with sweat, contains a large number of microorganisms, forming a microbial enrichment layer 5. The anode material is a combination of carbon cloth and porous nanoparticles. The porous carbon nanoparticles modify the anode carbon cloth, increasing the anode surface area and improving the reaction rate and the content of electrogenic microorganisms. The cathode material is a combination of silver oxide and TiO2, increasing catalyst activity, conductivity, and stability.

[0028] In this embodiment, to achieve real-time data monitoring on the body surface, the electrode material is selected by combining carbon cloth with porous nanoparticles. Porous carbon nanoparticles are used to modify the anode carbon cloth, increasing the anode surface area and improving the reaction rate and the content of electrogenic microorganisms. Silver oxide is combined with TiO2 to increase catalyst activity, conductivity, and stability. TiO2 is a photosensitive material, and as an electrode material, it can effectively promote the electrode reaction rate and improve the catalytic effect. The cathode material is self-recyclable: Ag2O is selected as the cathode material. During the reaction, Ag2O loses electrons and is reduced to elemental Ag, at which point the reduction potential is +0.80V. Elemental Ag is oxidized to Ag2O in air, at which point the oxidation potential of Ag is -0.80V; at this point, oxygen undergoes a reduction reaction, with a reduction potential of +800V. Based on the potential difference, we can determine that the self-recycling of the cathode material is valid, although the reaction rate is relatively slow.

[0029] As shown in Table 1, because electrons spontaneously transfer from low potential to high potential, the anode potential is the oxidation potential of organic matter. The main organic substances on the surface of the human body are lactic acid, glycerol, pyruvic acid, and serine. In addition, trace amounts of glycerol are present on the soles of the feet. The cathode potential is the reduction potential of Ag₂O. Through the data, we find that the anode potential is much lower than the cathode potential, indicating that this reaction is spontaneous.

[0030] Table 1

[0031]

[0032]

[0033] Regarding the selection of electrode materials, since our product is adsorbed onto the human body surface, we must consider the user experience and avoid using high-hardness metal materials. Therefore, for the cathode, we chose a combination of relatively soft silver oxide and titanium dioxide, which has excellent conductivity, chemical stability, and catalytic performance, and is also lightweight, breathable, and easy to recycle. The anode uses a combination of carbon cloth and porous nanoparticles, which also has excellent conductivity and reaction rate, strong corrosion resistance, low density, and good elastic modulus.

[0034] The product process is divided into five modules. To ensure that the organic matter in human sweat generates a significant electrical signal, we conducted a laboratory step, culturing and enriching microorganisms from human sweat and applying them between the anode and the adhesive layer. The enriched signal is stronger and easier to collect. Without enrichment, the microorganisms would have lower sensitivity to organic matter, affecting the experimental results.

[0035] First, a microbial fuel cell is fabricated using a tablet compression method, and then adsorbed onto the human skin along with enriched microorganisms. During exercise, when a person sweats, the microorganisms in the device act as catalysts, oxidizing organic matter in the sweat and generating an electric current. Electrons generated in the substrate are transferred to the anode and flow to the cathode, which is connected by a wire. Finally, a current sensor displays the current change, thereby monitoring the user's health status. Multiple experiments were conducted, and the measured experimental data was imported into a computer database using Arcunio programming. The patterns of electricity generation under different conditions were summarized, and the data was uploaded to the cloud. Future development plans include wireless transmission via Bluetooth technology and the creation of a related app that would allow users to display their health status on their mobile phones and synchronize it with hospital records.

[0036] At the anode, microorganisms oxidize organic matter. The main organic substances on the human body surface are lactic acid, glycerol, pyruvate, and serine, with lactic acid and alanine being the predominant components. Under the catalysis of microorganisms, lactic acid and alanine on the body surface react with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. Furthermore, alanine can be catalyzed to produce lactic acid, ethanol, and other organic matter.

[0037] At the cathode, Ag₂O loses electrons and is reduced to elemental Ag, at which point the reduction potential is +0.80V. Elemental Ag is then oxidized again to Ag₂O in the air, at which point the oxidation potential of Ag is -0.80V. Oxygen undergoes a reduction reaction, with a reduction potential of +800V. Based on this potential difference, we can determine that the self-circulation of the cathode material is valid, although the reaction rate is relatively slow.

[0038] In this embodiment, the reaction principles of the cathode and anode are as follows:

[0039] <1> anode:

[0040]

[0041]

[0042] C3H4O3+NADH+H + →C3H6O3+NAD +

[0043] <2> cathode:

[0044] Ag2O-e - →Ag + O₂ → Ag₂O

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown in Table 2, a wearable microbial fuel cell device was used to measure voltage changes in pure water and high saline and high glucose concentration solutions to simulate normal human sweat and sweat from diabetic patients.

[0046] Table 2

[0047]

[0048] The measurement data from the device shows that the average voltage generated by pure water is about 32mV, and the average voltage generated by saline + glucose solution is about 50mV. The voltage of pure water is nearly 20mV lower than that of the mixed solution.

[0049] In the product application stage, we wear the microbial fuel cell on our wrist. The device transmits electrical signals to a computer, which then displays them through a data display unit.

[0050] To ensure that the organic matter in human sweat generates a significant electrical signal, we conducted a laboratory step by culturing and enriching microorganisms from human sweat and applying them between the anode and the adhesive layer. The enriched microorganisms produced a stronger and easier-to-collect electrical signal; without enrichment, the microorganisms would have lower sensitivity to organic matter, affecting the experimental results. Because the anode substrate is derived from the body's own surface microorganisms, it is harmless and will not contain pathogens. Table 3 shows the experimental results after microbial enrichment.

[0051] Table 3

[0052]

[0053] We measured the electrical signal values ​​of the human body surface over multiple days and 24 hours, as shown in Table 4 and... Figure 3 As shown, taking April 19, 2023 as an example, the data shows that in the early morning, when the temperature is lowest, the human body surface temperature tends to be at its lowest and most stable, and the amount of sweat secretion is about 0. At this time, the electrical signal on the body surface tends to be at its lowest and most stable. From 12 noon to 3 pm, when the temperature is highest, with the human body moving, the body surface temperature rises, the amount of sweat secretion increases, and the electrical signal on the body surface is at its highest.

[0054] Table 4

[0055] 00：00 28.92 01：00 28.87 02：00 28.93 03：00 29.31 04：00 29.96 05：00 29.47 06：00 31.12 07：00 31.92 08：00 33.34 09：00 39.84 10：00 44.97 11：00 49.29 12：00 57.49 13：00 62.63 14：00 66.26 15：00 58.12 16：00 50.54 17：00 51.68 18：00 45.28 19：00 42.88 20：00 38.48 21：00 34.52 22：00 32.11 23：00 29.76

[0056] Based on theoretical investigation and experiments, we conclude that:

[0057] ① For the same person, the electrical signal during movement is nearly 30mV greater than that during rest;

[0058] ②After the enrichment operation, the electrical signal value increased significantly;

[0059] ③ The electrical signal values ​​on the human body surface are positively correlated with the amount of sweat secretion and the content of microorganisms on the body surface.

[0060] In summary, when the human body is in a sub-healthy or diseased state, sweat secretion increases and the electrical signals on the body surface abnormally increase. This achieves the ultimate goal of human health monitoring.

[0061] In summary, the portable human health monitoring device based on surface microorganisms described in this embodiment of the invention uses silver oxide and titanium dioxide as the cathode, and carbon cloth modified with porous carbon nanoparticles as the anode, separated by non-woven fabric. These three parts constitute the main components of the fuel cell. The anode and cathode are connected to the data processing unit by wires, and the data display unit is also connected to the data processing unit by wires, allowing the electrical signal to visually display the current changes of the fuel cell. The entire device is connected to a computer's USB port via a data cable.

[0062] The substrate for the microbial fuel cell uses microorganisms enriched in a laboratory setting, placed between the anode and a non-woven fabric layer. In this embodiment, the portable health monitoring device is worn on the wrist. When the body sweats, the microorganisms within the device oxidize the organic matter in the sweat, generating an electric current. This current is transmitted via wires connecting the anode and cathode to the data processing unit, where the data display unit shows the changes in the electrical signal, thus achieving the purpose of monitoring human health. The data processing unit itself is an Arduino programming system that summarizes the patterns of electrical signal changes under different sweat volumes, uploads the data to the cloud, and uses a related app to synchronize the health status data collected by the device.

[0063] The microbial fuel cell consists of five layers, from the outside in: a capping layer, a cathode, a separator layer, an anode, and finally, an adhesive layer that firmly adheres to the human body surface. The anode material combines carbon cloth with porous nanoparticles. Modifying the anode carbon cloth with porous carbon nanoparticles increases the anode surface area, improving the reaction rate and the content of electrogenic microorganisms. The cathode material combines silver oxide with TiO2 to enhance catalyst activity, conductivity, and stability.

[0064] Self-sustaining and long-term stable: Microbial energy harvesting technology is more powerful than that of enzymes, exhibiting better self-sustaining and long-term stability.

[0065] Features include real-time, ultra-portable, and self-supplied capabilities: The device is an unfoldable "sandwich" structure that achieves miniaturization, portability, and lightweight design. It is also rollable, breathable, and allows for close contact with the skin, enabling real-time operation.

[0066] Electrode materials can be recycled in situ: Silver oxide has excellent electrical conductivity, chemical stability, and catalytic performance. It is also lightweight, flexible, and oxidizes rapidly. After being reduced to silver, silver oxide can be oxidized back to silver oxide, making it easy to recycle. Ag₂O, as the electrode cathode material, gains electrons and undergoes a reduction reaction to become elemental Ag. Ag is then gradually oxidized to Ag₂O in the air, thus achieving self-recycling of the electrode material.

[0067] A microcontroller essentially executes logic commands to perform operations. It can be replaced by a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an integrated circuit composed of a matrix of configurable logic blocks, which can perform the same operations as a microcontroller. A microcontroller, in principle, is a data processing unit and therefore can be replaced by a microcomputer. It also has the functions of programming and storing data, and can display changes in electrical signals on a computer.

[0068] The data processing system can be replaced by other operating systems or platforms. Our designed microbial fuel cell is connected to the data processing unit and computer. The Ardunio programming system, after data processing, summarizes the patterns of electrical signal changes under different sweat volumes, uploads the data to the cloud, and synchronizes it using a related app. The Ardunio programming system in this process can be replaced by other operating systems or platforms.

[0069] While the specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that, based on the technical solutions disclosed in the present invention, various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative effort should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A portable human health monitoring device based on surface microorganisms, characterized in that, include: Microbial fuel cells are designed to be worn on the surface of human skin and generate electricity by using microorganisms to oxidize organic matter in sweat. The data processing unit is connected to the microbial fuel cell and receives the current signal generated by the microbial fuel cell. The data display unit, connected to the data processing unit, is used to display changes in electrical signals to achieve the purpose of monitoring human health. The microbial fuel cell consists of, from the outside in, a capping layer, a cathode, a separator layer, and an anode. The anode material is a combination of carbon cloth and porous nanoparticles. The porous carbon nanoparticles modify the anode carbon cloth, increasing the anode surface area and improving the reaction rate and the content of electrogenic microorganisms. The cathode material is a combination of silver oxide and TiO2, increasing catalyst activity, conductivity, and stability. Specifically, the cathode uses silver oxide and titanium dioxide, while the anode uses carbon cloth modified with porous carbon nanoparticles, separated by a non-woven fabric. The anode and cathode are connected to a data processing unit via wires, and the data display unit is also connected to the data processing unit via wires. The substrate for the microbial fuel cell is microorganisms enriched in a laboratory setting, placed between the anode and the non-woven fabric layer. When a person sweats, the microorganisms in the device oxidize the organic matter in the sweat, generating an electric current. This current is transmitted to the data processing unit via the wires connecting the anode and cathode, and the data display unit displays the changes in electrical signals, achieving the purpose of monitoring human health.

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