[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":334},["ShallowReactive",2],{"slug-the-future-of-surfaces-in-healthcare-and-beyond":3},{"post":4,"relatedPosts":197,"relatedBooks":333},{"id":5,"date":6,"date_gmt":7,"guid":8,"modified":10,"modified_gmt":11,"slug":12,"status":13,"type":14,"link":15,"title":16,"content":18,"excerpt":21,"author":23,"featured_media":24,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":29,"categories":30,"tags":32,"project_category":52,"contact_email_category":53,"yst_prominent_words":54,"class_list":62,"better_featured_image":89,"acf":132,"yoast_meta":141,"_links":144},22813,"2019-01-26T11:00:10","2019-01-26T09:00:10",{"rendered":9},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F","2022-04-14T13:59:53","2022-04-14T11:59:53","the-future-of-surfaces-in-healthcare-and-beyond","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-surfaces-in-healthcare-and-beyond",{"rendered":17},"The Future of Surfaces In Healthcare and Beyond",{"rendered":19,"protected":20},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2019. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Augmented reality displays, transparent touchscreens, shape-shifting buildings, digital tattoos with screens, living organisms as vibrating information panels, projectors turning any exterior into a control panel: the future of surfaces is as exciting as never before. How could medicine and healthcare benefit from the change in the usage of surfaces in the future?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Beauty and aesthetics of the surfaces around humans\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the cacophony of noise, colors and constant stimuli, humans of the 21\u003Csup>st\u003C\u002Fsup> century are yearning for simplicity, cleanliness, and nature. Clear-cut shapes, single colors and natural materials. An escape from the vibrating, fully packed screens, the tumultuous urban environments, the mess of too many objects. No wonder that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002FMarieKondo\">Marie Kondo\u003C\u002Fa> and tidying up are so popular lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>And that wish for simplicity, cleanliness and streamlined forms is how our smartphones got lost their keyboards and buttons in recent years – with other industries mimicking its minimalistic design. An empty surface which can turn into the greatest Swiss army knife ever devised, through interaction, connectivity, and contextual response, could be used almost everywhere.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The latest vehicle interiors, our television sets, information screens in shopping malls – all mimic that surface. Thus, we started to contemplate whether and how healthcare adopted that design and what happens to surfaces in the future. What happens to that part of an object which gets into contact with the outside world, including humans, and may have nothing in common with the underlying structure, form or substance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-22816\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"527\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FFuturistic-Table-Design.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22816\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FFuturistic-Table-Design.jpg 700w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FFuturistic-Table-Design-512x385.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.10stunninghomes.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How do we imagine the surfaces of the future?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When contemplating about the future, \u003Cstrong>let’s first turn to visionaries who already imagined futuristic exteriors, displays, and screens before. The see-through touchscreen with visualized data grabbed the attention of many filmmakers\u003C\u002Fstrong>. In \u003Cem>Star Trek\u003C\u002Fem>, health data such as temperature, the state of the brain, lungs, cell rate or blood all appear on an easily decodable, transparent display from the earliest episodes of the series. While Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy had to be content with the simple computer screen of today, Tom Cruise in \u003Cem>Minority Report\u003C\u002Fem> could go way beyond that. The movie is still shaping the imagination of today’s display design containing transparent, floating, holographic screens which you could control through hand gestures and touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogs.sas.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fsastraining\u002Ffiles\u002F2017\u002F06\u002Fmed_bay.jpg\" alt=\"\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: https:\u002F\u002Fblogs.sas.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fsastraining\u002Ffiles\u002F2017\u002F06\u002Fmed_bay.jpg\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The combination of nature and technology shows a revolutionary use of surfaces in one of our favorite sci-fi movies, The Fifth Element. In the best scene, when the team tries to use the natural elements and opens up the covers with using wind, fire, water or earth, the visual display of the fluorescent lights combine with the simplest design.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In many respects, the recent Marvel-hit, Black Panther, moved beyond the universe of traditional displays. Although transparent touch-screens and displays emerging out of the blue appeared throughout the movie, electronic information also appeared on unexpected surfaces, such as the head part of the bed on which CIA Agent, Everett K. Ross was healed or on the wall behind the patient. In another remarkable sci-fi series, Westworld, the tri-fold tablet caught our eyes. This somewhat pocketable device is used by every Delos employee for any task that would require a smartphone or tablet today – not just modifying the behavioral programming of Westworld’s robotic hosts, but also mundane phone calls, GPS location tracking, and the like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=eLYAnLnfarU\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Smart wood and shape-shifting tabletop\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although in many cases inspiration comes from sci-fi movies, we agree with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theawl.com\u002F2013\u002F02\u002Fhow-minority-report-trapped-us-in-a-world-of-bad-interfaces\u002F?utm_source=feedburner\">Christian Brown, architect and designer when he says\u003C\u002Fa> that directors don’t necessarily show us the future, but what looks good on screen – be it huge buttons or over-sized letters on displays that the protagonists control with ridiculous haptic moves in front of see-through computers. Thus, while the direction is definitely transparent, minimalist, opaque design, perhaps holographic visualization and see-through glasses, there are many more trends that are not following sci-fi visions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One of the directions which is visible today is that \u003Cstrong>boundaries between objects start to become blurrier than ever. You cannot tell whether it’s just a simple shelf or the control panel for a spaceship. There are already \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=9TS9Hsa6iCg\">\u003Cstrong>projectors that turn any surface into touchscreens\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong>. Also, the Japanese start-up, \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.siliconrepublic.com\u002Fmachines\u002Fces-2019-iot-mui-smart-display\">\u003Cstrong>Mui Lab, introduced its Mui Smart Display at CES earlier the month\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong>, which looks like a plank of wood when it’s not active.\u003C\u002Fstrong> And it is actually lumber. A “smart” one. The concept brilliantly displays the latest design trends: the yearning to go back to nature, the need to stay on the technological train and to use any surface as a display.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Farchinect.com\u002Fpattenstudio\u002Fproject\u002Ftransform-smart-surfaces-of-the-future\">Daniel Leithinger of MIT Media Lab’s Tangible Media Group says\u003C\u002Fa>, “\u003Cem>the future of interface design is that we’ll be able to interface with everything, and the line between what we call a computer and what we don’t will eventually go away entirely. Tomorrow’s computers will be furniture, clothing, and more, and the ways we interact with them — and they with us — will be richer than we can possibly imagine\u003C\u002Fem>.” Their team created the “Transform” project, a shape-shifting tabletop embedded with motion-detecting sensors that can change its shape or transfer physical objects across its surface. Imagine a future, where a kid throws a ball inside a room but that doesn’t bounce back from the surface of the table breaking plates and glasses to shiver, but a motion-sensing table actually catches it and pulls it inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-22820 size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"490\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FShape-Shifting-Tabletop.jpg\" alt=\"surfaces\" class=\"wp-image-22820\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FShape-Shifting-Tabletop.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FShape-Shifting-Tabletop-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FShape-Shifting-Tabletop-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FShape-Shifting-Tabletop-512x288.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: https:\u002F\u002Farchinect.com\u002Fpattenstudio\u002Fproject\u002Ftransform-smart-surfaces-of-the-future\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Paperfeel tablet and moving buildings\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The blurring boundaries between electronic objects and traditional articles for personal use also show elsewhere. For example, current technology is not only able to imitate the look, but also the feel of paper.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Thus, you can get rid of all your notebooks and help save the rain forests of the Amazon, but at the same time not give up on the feel of paper. That’s what the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgizmodo.com\u002Fthe-remarkable-e-ink-tablet-is-way-too-good-for-its-sof-1822612517\">reMarkable tablet\u003C\u002Fa> offers. We suspect that something similar will appear in the case of news magazines and journals – comparable to what was already presented in Minority Report. Another \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.popsci.com\u002Ftechnology\u002Farticle\u002F2010-11\u002Fe-paper-breakthrough-could-lead-rollable-flexible-even-disposable-e-readers\">breakthrough from the University of Cincinnati\u003C\u002Fa> could even lead to rollable, flexible, low-cost, even disposable e-readers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>An additional example of revolutionizing texture, material and surfaces is the development of objects to grow, move around or morph into their environment. For example, one company that has found an alternative to conventional manufacturing methods is biotechnology startup BioMASON. They use a process that’s millions of years old. They inject sand with microorganisms, actually mimicking the way coral grows in nature over thousands of years, but reducing the process to mere days. And what about shape-shifting buildings, rotating skylines or emerging and disappearing staircases? These concepts are not (only) out of fairy tales and sci-fi movies: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cntraveler.com\u002Fstory\u002Fdubai-wants-to-build-a-rotating-tower-where-the-view-changes-on-demand\">architects are creating a rotating skyscraper in Dubai\u003C\u002Fa> where the view changes every single day. Plans for the 80-story residential building were first announced in 2008, and are expected to be implemented by 2020. Breathtaking, isn’t it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-22821\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"361\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FDubai-Rotating-Skyscraper.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22821\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FDubai-Rotating-Skyscraper.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FDubai-Rotating-Skyscraper-768x319.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FDubai-Rotating-Skyscraper-512x213.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.whatson.ae\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>AR projections on surfaces in medicine and healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>What does this all mean for the future of healing? \u003Cstrong>Touchscreens, electronic displays, and tablets of all forms also appeared in healthcare in the last years, turning medicine from a paper-based into a screen-based profession. In the future, the GP’s personal computer will disappear into the desk as a single, perhaps rollable touchscreen with the option to visualize body parts or organs through immersive reality or in a holographic manner.\u003C\u002Fstrong> While touchscreens are only capable of providing information in 2D, the advantage of VR\u002FAR, mixed reality and holograms is their ability to project data in 3D – and that’s incredibly useful for medical professionals or students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For example, the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.anatomage.com\u002Ftable\u002F\">Anatomage Table\u003C\u002Fa> is the world’s first virtual dissection surface perfect for teaching anatomy easily and spectacularly. The Hololens mixed reality device is also an excellent tool for studying the human body. But not only objects can be the space for projecting information. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.accuvein.com\u002F2015\u002F11\u002Faccuvein-cited-as-a-premier-augmented-reality-application\u002F\">The start-up company AccuVein\u003C\u002Fa> uses augmented reality by using a handheld scanner that projects over skin and shows nurses and doctors where veins are in the patients’ bodies. Moreover, in October 2018, the FDA gave the green light to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.novarad.net\u002F\">Novarad’s OpenSight Augmented Reality System\u003C\u002Fa> for pre-operative surgical planning, with which physicians can see both the 3D patient image from previous scans projected onto the patient as well as the patient physically in front of them. These examples mean that with the help of technology, physicians and nurses will also “use” patients’ bodies as surfaces for projecting information in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-22822 size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FAnatomage-Table.jpg\" alt=\"surfaces\" class=\"wp-image-22822\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FAnatomage-Table.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FAnatomage-Table-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002FAnatomage-Table-512x341.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.anatomage.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Living organisms as displays\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The idea of projecting information on the bodies of humans might go even further by creating screens and displays which combine with our clothes or even biological materials. Sensors, LEDs already appeared on clothing\u003C\u002Fstrong>, but an extraordinary example of digital textiles is \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fbehnazfarahi.com\u002Fcaress-of-the-gaze\u002F\">\u003Cem>Caress of the Gaze\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>, a unique, 3D printed garment from Iranian-American designer \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.behnazfarahi.com\u002F\">Behnaz Farahi\u003C\u002Fa> that bristles under the gaze of the person looking at it. Another \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fastcompany.com\u002F3068422\u002F7-concepts-that-tease-the-wacky-future-of-screens\">concept shows dresses that change based on their surroundings\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Sensors already \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-clothing-and-biofashion-might-bring-new-directions-to-the-apparel-industry\">found their way into clothing related to fitness and wellness\u003C\u002Fa>, too. Sydney-based startup \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wearablex.com\u002F\">Wearable X’\u003C\u002Fa>s Nadi X yoga pants come with built-in haptic vibrations that gently pulse at the hips, knees, and ankles to encourage you to move and\u002For hold positions. French fashion tech company, Spinali’s UV Protect swimsuit collection is equipped with a removable medallion-style waterproof sensor that aims to stop you from staying too long in the sun. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.omsignal.com\u002F\">OMSignal’s smart bra, the OMbra\u003C\u002Fa>, records distances run, breathing rates and heart rate, and even tells you when you’re recovered enough to head back to the gym. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wareable.com\u002Fsmart-clothing\u002Fsensorias-smart-sock-20-price-specs-release-date-3694\">Sensoria’s second-gen connected socks\u003C\u002Fa> want you to have the best run possible by offering data on your speed, distance, time as well as style. Also, the concept of SkinTrack goes even further by joining together screen and body part as an interface. The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fastcompany.com\u002F3059848\u002F8-incredible-prototypes-that-show-the-future-of-human-computer-interaction\">new technology developed by the Human-Computer Interaction Institute’s Future Interfaces Group expands your smartwatch’s “touchscreen”\u003C\u002Fa> over your entire hand and arm – just by wearing a specially designed ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Caress of the Gaze\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FRH5_HHLNi6c?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>However, what if we even went a zero gravity moon step further. One day it might be possible to combine biological\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cstrong> materials with screens, especially as the rise in bioengineering is upon us. Numerous companies are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-bioprinting-overview\">experimenting with 3D bioprinted tissues\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cstrong>, creating synthetic skin, bones and other artificial replacements for body parts. Thus, coating organisms with LED lights might not even be that far away\u003C\u002Fstrong>. London-based digital design studio \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fastcodesign.com\u002Fsection\u002Funiversal-everything\">Universal Everything\u003C\u002Fa> even created \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fastcompany.com\u002F3068422\u002F7-concepts-that-tease-the-wacky-future-of-screens\">the concept piece where a screen made of gel was applied to the side of a goldfish\u003C\u002Fa>, relaying the health information of the fish. Although that sounds extraordinary, it might be superfluous – not like a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-tattoos-make-healthcare-more-invisible\">digital tattoo on your arm displaying your vital signs\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are already many experiments with the technology. In 2016, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Feu.usatoday.com\u002Fstory\u002Ftech\u002Fcolumnist\u002F2016\u002F03\u002F19\u002Fbiostamp-big-step-forward-medical-wearables\u002F82032978\u002F\">MC10 marketed its BioStampRC sensor, a waterproof, band-aid-like patch\u003C\u002Fa> that sticks to the skin and monitors movement, muscle performance or heart activity. The tiny wearable even has a Bluetooth radio and a miniature battery. Imagine the nanodevice having a teeny-tiny LED display with all your relevant information in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Carmel Majidi: Electronic Tattoos for Wearable Computing: Stretchable, Robust, and Inexpensive\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FOaITzyMptFQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Hospital walls changing colors and acting as displays\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Not only the bodies but also such traditional “display materials” as hospitals could be utilized in a more revolutionary way\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Transparency, cleanliness, light colors and simple, even neutral or sterile design are also the trademark of health facilities (or at least they aim for reaching it). \u003Cstrong>It is easy to visualize transparent touchscreens or augmented reality panels as information signs or maps in large hospitals. Interactive walls changing colors using various sensors could also play a role in medical professionals’ work – signifying a sudden emergency by turning red, for example.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Moreover, doctors or nurses might have the option to use voice commands or various hand gestures on the floating, transparent screen to give instructions or request a vaccine. Although that sounds science fiction at the moment (close to Minority Report), there’s already a gadget which operates similarly. The user puts \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.myo.com\u002F\">Myo\u003C\u002Fa> on their arm, and the person is able to control a computer from a distance with specific gestures. If there is a USB-stick connected to a laptop meters away, the Myo-user holding a presentation could change ppt-slides, zoom-in or zoom-out with just one gesture in the air. At the moment, the technology should still be developed to be used for such purposes as hospital touchscreen navigation, but we might eventually get there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Walls That Change Colour to Your Touch\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FlRHZY9BnIZc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fpeek-into-the-future-of-hospitals\">hospitals of the future might entirely disappear\u003C\u002Fa> as we know them today as patients are moving towards becoming the point of care. Thus, we might only experience the new generation of interactive and shape-shifting surfaces in emergency rooms, at the GP’s office or in self-driving ambulances. That’s not gonna happen tomorrow. We should go way down the road to reach those scenarios, but the first time you casually encounter a surface-switching table and a VR wall, you should know, the future has arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",false,{"rendered":22,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>Augmented reality displays, transparent touchscreens, shape-shifting buildings, digital tattoos with screens, living organisms as vibrating information panels, projectors turning any exterior into a control panel: the future of surfaces is as exciting as never before. How could medicine and healthcare benefit from the change in the usage of surfaces in the future?\u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,22833,"closed",true,"","standard",{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31],499,[33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51],1204,279,1205,289,1206,406,1207,425,1208,450,145,527,200,609,246,697,271,1100,275,[],[],[55,56,57,58,59,60,61],2609,1717,1721,1739,1759,1883,1979,[63,14,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88],"post-22813","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthcare-design","tag-surface","tag-hospital","tag-screen","tag-innovation","tag-display","tag-smartphone","tag-led","tag-technology-2","tag-touchscreen","tag-vr","tag-augmented-reality-2","tag-ar","tag-design","tag-healthcare-design","tag-future","tag-hospital-design","tag-health","tag-futuristic","tag-healthcare",{"id":24,"alt_text":27,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":90,"media_details":91,"post":5,"source_url":131},"image",{"width":92,"height":93,"file":94,"sizes":95,"image_meta":127,"original_image":130},2560,1440,"2019\u002F01\u002F062_future_design_of_surfaces-scaled.gif",{"medium":96,"large":102,"thumbnail":107,"medium_large":111,"1536x1536":112,"2048x2048":117,"large_old_512x288":122},{"file":97,"width":98,"height":99,"mime-type":100,"source_url":101},"062_future_design_of_surfaces-370x208.gif",370,208,"image\u002Fgif","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002F062_future_design_of_surfaces-370x208.gif",{"file":103,"width":104,"height":105,"mime-type":100,"source_url":106},"062_future_design_of_surfaces-768x432.gif",768,432,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002F062_future_design_of_surfaces-768x432.gif",{"file":108,"width":109,"height":109,"mime-type":100,"source_url":110},"062_future_design_of_surfaces-150x150.gif",150,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002F062_future_design_of_surfaces-150x150.gif",{"file":103,"width":104,"height":105,"mime-type":100,"source_url":106},{"file":113,"width":114,"height":115,"mime-type":100,"source_url":116},"062_future_design_of_surfaces-1536x864.gif",1536,864,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002F062_future_design_of_surfaces-1536x864.gif",{"file":118,"width":119,"height":120,"mime-type":100,"source_url":121},"062_future_design_of_surfaces-2048x1152.gif",2048,1152,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002F062_future_design_of_surfaces-2048x1152.gif",{"file":123,"width":124,"height":125,"mime-type":100,"source_url":126},"062_future_design_of_surfaces-512x288.gif",512,288,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002F062_future_design_of_surfaces-512x288.gif",{"aperture":128,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":128,"copyright":27,"focal_length":128,"iso":128,"shutter_speed":128,"title":27,"orientation":128,"keywords":129},"0",[],"062_future_design_of_surfaces.gif","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F01\u002F062_future_design_of_surfaces-scaled.gif",{"related_posts":133,"related_posts_footer":137,"cta_type":27,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":20},[134,135,136],15752,17417,17043,[138,139,140],14685,14256,21722,{"yoast_wpseo_title":142,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":143,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":15},"The Future of Surfaces In Healthcare and Beyond - The Medical Futurist","AR, VR displays, touchscreens, shape-shifting buildings: the future of surfaces is as exciting as never before. How could healthcare benefit from it?",{"self":145,"collection":151,"about":154,"author":157,"replies":160,"version-history":163,"predecessor-version":167,"wp:featuredmedia":171,"wp:attachment":174,"wp:term":177,"curies":193},[146],{"href":147,"targetHints":148},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F22813",{"allow":149},[150],"GET",[152],{"href":153},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[155],{"href":156},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[158],{"embeddable":26,"href":159},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F6",[161],{"embeddable":26,"href":162},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=22813",[164],{"count":165,"href":166},20,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F22813\u002Frevisions",[168],{"id":169,"href":170},42409,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F22813\u002Frevisions\u002F42409",[172],{"embeddable":26,"href":173},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F22833",[175],{"href":176},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=22813",[178,181,184,187,190],{"taxonomy":179,"embeddable":26,"href":180},"category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=22813",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":26,"href":183},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=22813",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":26,"href":186},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=22813",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":26,"href":189},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=22813",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":26,"href":192},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=22813",[194],{"name":195,"href":196,"templated":26},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",[198],{"id":140,"date":199,"date_gmt":200,"guid":201,"modified":203,"modified_gmt":204,"slug":205,"status":13,"type":14,"link":206,"title":207,"content":209,"excerpt":211,"author":23,"featured_media":213,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":214,"categories":215,"tags":217,"project_category":226,"contact_email_category":227,"yst_prominent_words":228,"class_list":233,"better_featured_image":244,"acf":278,"yoast_meta":288,"_links":291},"2022-06-23T10:00:00","2022-06-23T08:00:00",{"rendered":202},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F","2022-06-23T15:57:48","2022-06-23T13:57:48","digital-tattoos-make-healthcare-more-invisible","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-tattoos-make-healthcare-more-invisible",{"rendered":208},"Digital Tattoos Make Healthcare More Invisible",{"rendered":210,"protected":20},"\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">What if markings on your skin could unlock your phone or get you access to entrance doors? And what if they could also measure your blood pressure or hydration level constantly in the background only alerting you in case of values out of the normal range? Digital tattoos could act as minilabs rendering our skin an interactive display and making healthcare more invisible at the same time. Here’s our summary of the latest trends and research efforts to make it happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Our bodies are the next frontier for technology\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the course of the development of medical devices, a general trend has emerged: tools are getting more miniaturized, digitised and connected than ever. While in the past, the ultimate goal of medical instruments was to somehow measure health parameters or to somehow record measurements, currently, the question is how to measure more accurately, more easily and simply by using aptly designed means.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, \u003Cstrong>the triumphant march of health sensors and wearables does not stop at creating ever tinier, more and more streamlined smartwatches or clothing clips – such as the Lumo Run -, the next frontier for technological advancement definitely takes us the closest to the human body that we have ever been. Seamless, thin and unrecognizable sensors made of flexible materials appear first interwoven with our clothes, then on our skin as digital tattoos, in our bellies as digestibles or in our blood vessels as nanobots.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffuture-of-sports-medicine\" target=\"_blank\">sports medicine\u003C\u002Fa>, there are already digitised garments for improving performance. For example, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.hexoskin.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">HexoSkin\u003C\u002Fa> developed a shirt with sensors woven into it that measures heart rate, breathing, counts steps taken, pace, and calories burned. Moreover, researchers working in nanotechnology are experimenting with exceptionally \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.gizmag.com\u002Fscallop-microbots-swim-body-max-planck\u002F34589\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">micro-sized – smaller than a millimeter – robots that literally swim through your bodily fluids\u003C\u002Fa>; and the FDA approved the first digital pill \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fedition.cnn.com\u002F2017\u002F11\u002F14\u002Fhealth\u002Ffda-digital-pill-abilify\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\">with a digital ingestion tracking system in 2017\u003C\u002Fa>. Now, let’s see how digital tattoos want to crawl onto our skins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-21723 size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002Fchaotic-moon-biowearables-tattoo-circuits-on-wtvox.com_.jpg\" alt=\"digital tattoos\" class=\"wp-image-21723\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002Fchaotic-moon-biowearables-tattoo-circuits-on-wtvox.com_.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002Fchaotic-moon-biowearables-tattoo-circuits-on-wtvox.com_-768x411.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002Fchaotic-moon-biowearables-tattoo-circuits-on-wtvox.com_-512x274.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.wtvox.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What do we call a digital tattoo?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the development in 3D printing as well as circuit printing technologies, flexible electronics and materials, applying the so-called digital tattoos or electronic tattoos on the skin for some days or even weeks became possible. Some researchers use gold nanorods, others graphene or various polymers with rubber backing to apply the tattoo on the skin without causing irritation. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.digitaltrends.com\u002Fcool-tech\u002Fsmart-tattoos-health-wearable-news\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Certain experts believe\u003C\u002Fa> that these skin patches or tattoos are only the beginning, and in the future, other skin techniques such as henna, tanning, and makeup will also be tested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>These flexible, waterproof materials impervious to stretching and twisting coupled with tiny electrodes are able to record and transmit information about the wearer to smartphones or other connected devices\u003C\u002Fstrong>. That’s why fantasies about digital tattoos unlocking tablets, opening doors or supporting border crossing took off. In 2014, Motorola Corporation launched the digital tattoo for the identification of its Moto X handset. The digital tattoo sticker unlocks the smartphone without the need for any passwords or patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>As the tiny patches can measure electrophysiological parameters, they could allow healthcare experts to monitor and diagnose critical health conditions such as heart arrhythmia, heart activities of premature babies, sleep disorders and brain activities noninvasively\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Moreover, by tracking vital signs 24 hours a day without the need for a charger, it is especially suited for following patients with high risks of stroke, for example. The digital tattoo could send alerts to medical systems, it might call the ambulance and transmit pertinent data, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the future, tiny multifaceted patches might as well \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.slashgear.com\u002Fwhats-inside-motorolas-digital-tattoo-31284412\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">track muscle movements around speech when applied to the throat\u003C\u002Fa>, potentially turning the tattoos into half of a wireless hands-free kit. Since you don’t actually have to speak out loud, it could pick up sub-vocal commands, too. Alternatively, the figurative or non-figurative, well-designed electronic tattoos can even track brain signals with enough accuracy to control a computer. However, that’s still the distant future. Anyhow, here are some projects and research efforts which already made digital tattoos happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-21725 size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"332\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FDigital-tattoo_future.jpg\" alt=\"digital tattoos\" class=\"wp-image-21725\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FDigital-tattoo_future.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FDigital-tattoo_future-768x293.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FDigital-tattoo_future-512x196.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.emergeinteractive.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The most advanced digital tattoos to date\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Wearable glucose monitoring with enzymes\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nanoengineers at the University of California, San Diego have been working on these technologies for quite a while. It started when they \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fucsdnews.ucsd.edu\u002Findex.php\u002Fpressrelease\u002Ftemporary_tattoo_offers_needle_free_way_to_monitor_glucose_levels\" target=\"_blank\">developed a temporary tattoo\u003C\u002Fa> that both extracts and measures the level of glucose in the fluid in between skin cells. The flexible device consists of carefully patterned electrodes printed on temporary tattoo paper\u003C\u002Fstrong>. The two electrodes apply a tiny amount of electrical current that forces glucose molecules that reside below the skin to rise to the surface, allowing for the measurement of blood sugar. In the spring of 2018, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fucsdnews.ucsd.edu\u002Ffeature\u002Fclinical-trial-tests-tattoo-sensor-as-needleless-glucose-monitor\" target=\"_blank\">the research center started a clinical trial\u003C\u002Fa> with 50 adults, aged 18 to 75, with either type 1 or 2 diabetes or diabetes due to other causes. According to the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flajolla.com\u002Fnews\u002Fhealth-monitoring-patches-san-diego-research\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">latest reports\u003C\u002Fa>, the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fclinicaltrials.ucsd.edu\u002Ftrial\u002FNCT04088201\" target=\"_blank\">trials are still running\u003C\u002Fa>, but they might have come close to their finish. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But the University of California San Diego also has a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41551-022-00887-1\" target=\"_blank\">more recent announcement\u003C\u002Fa>, dubbed \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fjacobsschool.ucsd.edu\u002Fnews\u002Frelease\u002F3449\">‘Lab on the skin’\u003C\u002Fa>, a wearable device capable of monitoring not only glucose but also alcohol and lactate levels. The device is about the size of a stack of six quarters. It is applied to the skin through a Velcro-like patch of microscopic needles, or microneedles, that are each about one-fifth the width of a human hair. Wearing the device is not painful—the microneedles barely penetrate the surface of the skin to sense biomolecules in interstitial fluid, which is the fluid surrounding the cells beneath the skin. The device can be worn on the upper arm and it sends data wirelessly to a custom smartphone app.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FSkin-patch-glucose-alcohol-lactate-768x480.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46692\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FSkin-patch-glucose-alcohol-lactate-768x480.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FSkin-patch-glucose-alcohol-lactate.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>‘Lab on the skin’ patch from the UCSD team. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fucsdnews.ucsd.edu\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Image source\u003C\u002Fa> \u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The wearable consists of a disposable microneedle patch connected to a case of electronics. Different enzymes on the tips of the microneedles react with glucose, alcohol and lactate in interstitial fluid. The wearable was tested on five volunteers, who wore the device on their upper arms while exercising, eating and drinking, and the readings closely matched the control values, measured by standard lab equipment. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1.2 Non-enzyme glucose monitoring from sweat\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fabs\u002Fpii\u002FS0956566321006436?via%3Dihub\" target=\"_blank\">Another route\u003C\u002Fa> taken by the research team of Penn State University aims to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medgadget.com\u002F2021\u002F10\u002Fwearable-non-invasive-sensor-measures-glucose-in-sweat.html\" target=\"_blank\">measure glucose levels from sweat\u003C\u002Fa>. The low-cost sensor consists of laser-induced graphene and a nickel-gold alloy that can detect very low levels of glucose in sweat without the use of enzymes. The sensor contains a microfluidic chamber into which sweat is drawn, and then an alkaline solution reacts with the glucose in the sweat, causing a reaction in the alloy and a substantial electrical signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"542\" height=\"407\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FPenn-state-University-sweat-glucose-monitor.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46693\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>The wearable by the Penn State University Research Team. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psu.edu\u002Fnews\u002Fresearch\u002Fstory\u002Fmonitoring-glucose-levels-no-needles-required\" target=\"_blank\">Image source\u003C\u002Fa> \u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The technology involves drawing sweat into a microfluidic chamber, where glucose reacts with an alkaline solution to form a compound that can react with a nickel-gold alloy present in the device. This reaction causes an electrical signal that can indicate the amount of glucose present in the sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So far, the researchers have tested it with some volunteers and found that it could successfully track changes in blood glucose before and after a meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“We want to work with physicians and other health care providers to see how we can apply this technology for daily monitoring of a patient,” said Huanyu Cheng, a researcher involved in the study \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psu.edu\u002Fnews\u002Fresearch\u002Fstory\u002Fmonitoring-glucose-levels-no-needles-required\" target=\"_blank\">in the press release\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.engadget.com\u002F2016\u002F03\u002F22\u002Fgraphene-based-patch-diabetes\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">South Korean researchers have created something similar\u003C\u002Fa> a while before, also with the help of graphene. Seoul National University assistant professor Dae-Hyeong Kim and a team of researchers manufactured specific sensors that can detect your temperature and the pH\u002Fchemical composition of the sweat of people with e.g. type II diabetes. It then beams the data it collects to an accompanying smartphone app. If the system infers that the wearers need medicine based on the state of their sweat, the app computes the amount of necessary medication. The patch’s microneedle array then injects the right amount into the body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-21728 size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FGraphene-digital-tattoo-for-people-with-diabetes.jpg\" alt=\"digital tattoos\" class=\"wp-image-21728\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FGraphene-digital-tattoo-for-people-with-diabetes.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FGraphene-digital-tattoo-for-people-with-diabetes-768x470.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FGraphene-digital-tattoo-for-people-with-diabetes-512x313.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.engadget.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Image source \u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> 2. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mc10inc.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>MC10\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company has been the best-known enterprise specialised in the advancement of digital tattoos in the last ten years\u003C\u002Fstrong>. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mc10inc.com\u002Four-story#company-overview\" target=\"_blank\">John Rogers and his research team\u003C\u002Fa> gave the groundwork for the revolutionary technology in stretchable electronics, on which MC10’s operation is based. The company tirelessly \u003Cstrong>develops silicon devices thinned to a fraction of the width of a human hair, uses stretchable metallic interconnects, and elastic rubberlike polymers to form complete powered systems that sense, measure, analyse, and communicate information\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 2016, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Feu.usatoday.com\u002Fstory\u002Ftech\u002Fcolumnist\u002F2016\u002F03\u002F19\u002Fbiostamp-big-step-forward-medical-wearables\u002F82032978\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MC10 marketed its BioStampRC sensor, a waterproof, band-aid-like patch\u003C\u002Fa> that sticks to the skin and monitors movement, muscle performance or heart activity. The tiny wearable even has a Bluetooth radio and a miniature battery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-21726 size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FMC10_Electronic_Tattoo-1.jpg\" alt=\"digital tattoos\" class=\"wp-image-21726\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FMC10_Electronic_Tattoo-1.jpg 800w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FMC10_Electronic_Tattoo-1-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FMC10_Electronic_Tattoo-1-512x256.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.mc10inc.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Image source\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpubs.acs.org\u002Fdoi\u002F10.1021\u002Facsnano.7b02182\" target=\"_blank\">Graphene-based electronic tattoo\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A group of researchers based at the University of Texas created graphene-based, almost transparent tattoos. While researchers \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Fav\u002Ftechnology-41669803\u002Fhow-a-graphene-tattoo-could-monitor-your-health\" target=\"_blank\">usually use gold in electronic components, here, they applied graphene\u003C\u002Fa> – a more conductive, hundreds of times thinner material allowing to naturally wrinkle with the skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Due to graphene’s unique electronic properties, these patches \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffuturism.com\u002Fresearchers-designed-a-graphene-based-electronic-tattoo-that-can-monitor-your-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">work like wearable electronic devices, enabling biometric uses, such as monitoring the electrical activity of the brain, heart, and muscles\u003C\u002Fa>. The tattoos would even allow the wearer to directly interact with machines\u003C\u002Fstrong>. These tattoos offer complete functionality for several days but can be removed simply with a piece of adhesive tape. It is hoped that as the cost of graphene falls, such tattoos will become affordable for medical use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-21729\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FGraphene-based-digital-tattoo.jpeg\" alt=\"digital tattoos\" class=\"wp-image-21729\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FGraphene-based-digital-tattoo.jpeg 620w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002FGraphene-based-digital-tattoo-512x384.jpeg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.spectrum.ieee.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Image source\u003C\u002Fa> \u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.harvard.edu\u002Fgazette\u002Fstory\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fharvard-researchers-help-develop-smart-tattoos\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Dermal Abyss\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Researchers at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology developed colour-changing\u003C\u002Fstrong> digital tattoos within the project entitled Dermal Abyss, a bunch of biosensitive inks changing colours\u003Cstrong> parallel how changes in your body occur\u003C\u002Fstrong>. The inks can measure the concentration of glucose, sodium, and pH in the skin’s interstitial fluid, which surrounds cells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The researchers have so far created a green ink that intensifies as the wearer’s sodium levels rise, which is often a sign of dehydration. Another green ink turns brown as glucose levels rise, which could be used by people with diabetes for monitoring their condition in the future. In early tests, pink inks turned blue as pH levels increased, but researchers are still testing various new inks for future use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tattoos as medical condition monitors\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fok5RucH09Sw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Digital tattoos will help make healthcare seamless and invisible\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Can you imagine a dolphin-shaped digital tattoo measuring your heart rate on your ankle? And what about a glucose monitor forming a sailing boat on your belly? The Medical Futurist recommends you get used to this thought \u003Cstrong>as the latest trend in the health sensor and wearable market shows that digital tattoos are the future. These seamless, thin and unrecognizable sensors could replace smartwatches or wrist-worn wearables as they won’t need batteries\u003C\u002Fstrong> – they will get the necessary energy through electrophysiological processes -, \u003Cstrong>and they will be more accurate due to constant skin contact\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It is an astonishingly hopeful phenomenon for shifting from reactive “sick care” to preventive as well as predictive health. These tiny digital tattoos could immediately signal if a measurement is out of range or significantly differs from the average – and the user or the doctor could promptly respond to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In other industries that already works. Isn’t it ridiculous and terrifying at the same time that we bring our cars to the mechanic at the moment that it indicates a problem, however, we don’t do that with our own signals? We don’t deal with them, or we don’t even know there was a sign. The Medical Futurist hopes that the beautifully designed digital tattoos will change the situation soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":212,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>What if markings on your skin could unlock your phone or get you access to entrance doors? And what if they could also measure your blood pressure or hydration level constantly in the background only alerting you in case of values out of the normal range? Digital tattoos could act as minilabs rendering our skin an interactive display and making healthcare more invisible at the same time. Here’s our summary of the latest trends and research efforts to make it happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",46763,{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[216,31],496,[36,218,40,219,220,221,222,223,224,225,47],355,453,545,596,206,1036,207,1037,[],[],[229,230,231,232],2465,3539,4489,1681,[234,14,64,65,66,67,68,235,69,73,236,77,237,238,239,240,241,242,243,84],"post-21722","category-health-sensors-trackers","tag-personalized-medicine","tag-wearables-2","tag-sensors","tag-health-sensors","tag-digital","tag-digital-tattoo","tag-digital-health","tag-digital-tattoos",{"id":213,"alt_text":27,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":90,"media_details":245,"post":140,"source_url":277},{"width":246,"height":247,"file":248,"sizes":249,"image_meta":276},1920,1080,"2022\u002F06\u002Ftmf_digital-tattoo_small.png",{"medium":250,"large":256,"thumbnail":261,"medium_large":265,"1536x1536":266,"2048x2048":271},{"file":251,"width":252,"height":253,"mime-type":254,"source_url":255},"tmf_digital-tattoo_small-370x208.png","370","208","image\u002Fpng","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002Ftmf_digital-tattoo_small-370x208.png",{"file":257,"width":258,"height":259,"mime-type":254,"source_url":260},"tmf_digital-tattoo_small-768x432.png","768","432","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002Ftmf_digital-tattoo_small-768x432.png",{"file":262,"width":263,"height":263,"mime-type":254,"source_url":264},"tmf_digital-tattoo_small-150x150.png","150","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002Ftmf_digital-tattoo_small-150x150.png",{"file":257,"width":258,"height":259,"mime-type":254,"source_url":260},{"file":267,"width":268,"height":269,"mime-type":254,"source_url":270},"tmf_digital-tattoo_small-1536x864.png","1536","864","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002Ftmf_digital-tattoo_small-1536x864.png",{"file":272,"width":273,"height":274,"mime-type":254,"source_url":275},"tmf_digital-tattoo_small-2048x1152.png","2048","1152","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002Ftmf_digital-tattoo_small-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":128,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":128,"copyright":27,"focal_length":128,"iso":128,"shutter_speed":128,"title":27,"orientation":128},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002Ftmf_digital-tattoo_small.png",{"related_posts":20,"related_posts_footer":279,"cta_type":283,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":284},[280,281,282],16497,16150,16977,"subscribe",[285,286,287],24761,31417,34151,{"yoast_wpseo_title":289,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":290,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":206},"Digital Tattoos Make Healthcare More Invisible - The Medical Futurist","Digital tattoos could render our skin an interactive display and make healthcare more invisible in the future. Here’s our summary of the latest innovations.",{"self":292,"collection":297,"about":299,"author":301,"replies":303,"version-history":306,"predecessor-version":310,"wp:featuredmedia":314,"wp:attachment":317,"wp:term":320,"curies":331},[293],{"href":294,"targetHints":295},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F21722",{"allow":296},[150],[298],{"href":153},[300],{"href":156},[302],{"embeddable":26,"href":159},[304],{"embeddable":26,"href":305},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=21722",[307],{"count":308,"href":309},40,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F21722\u002Frevisions",[311],{"id":312,"href":313},46764,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F21722\u002Frevisions\u002F46764",[315],{"embeddable":26,"href":316},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F46763",[318],{"href":319},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=21722",[321,323,325,327,329],{"taxonomy":179,"embeddable":26,"href":322},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=21722",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":26,"href":324},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=21722",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":26,"href":326},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=21722",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":26,"href":328},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=21722",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":26,"href":330},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=21722",[332],{"name":195,"href":196,"templated":26},[],1789238012616]