Project description
A wrist sensor for continuous monitoring of body temperature
Our body maintains a normal temperature under homeostasis through a built-in control system in our brain. Body core temperature constitutes a vital parameter in various diseases and is elevated in response to infection. To assist the continuous monitoring of body temperature, the EU-funded gSKIN BodyTemp project has developed the first thermal sensor that can be incorporated in wrist wearables such as smart watches and activity trackers. The disruptive technology will expand existing features (heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation, calorie consumption) of wearables but most importantly, it will assist the health monitoring of individuals suffering from conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or sleep disorders.
Objective
Wearable biosensor systems for fitness and health monitoring have become popular in the last years, however, there is no wearable technology available for accurately monitor core body temperature (CBT) to date. In consequence, gSKIN BodyTemp (gSKIN BT hereafter) project aims at providing the first thermal sensor for non-invasive, wireless and continuous CBT monitoring; also meeting size requirements to be integrated in wrist wearable devices. The invention relies on our patented heat flux technology, a cost-effective thermal sensor plus sophisticated machine learning algorithms allowing accurate (±0.2°C) and real-time CBT measurements for the first time on the wrist and under free living conditions. gSKIN BT will result on added value for high-quality wearables, improving healthcare and sport medicine by enabling ubiquitous CBT monitoring. Other valuable novelties are its reduced cost and lower energy consumption compared to the available options. These advantages make gSKIN BT a disruptive solution with great potential for commercial success in the growing wearables market (€123 B by 2026, CAGR 35%), representing a core source of growth for the company and consolidating our position in the thermal sensing sector. We will conduct a feasibility study and a business plan analyzing the technical, commercial and financial aspects required to ensure the market launch. Being CBT an important vital parameter involved in some of the biggest health issues (e.g. sleep disorders, Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases), gSKIN BT will be a great enabler for the necessary transformation towards a patient centred preventive health care system.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsbiosensors
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesinternetinternet of things
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologydementiaalzheimer
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologyparkinson
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencemachine learning
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
8005 Zurich
Switzerland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.