Wearable and flexible oxygen sensor for transcutaneous oxygen monitoring

A wearable and flexible oxygen sensor with membrane structure was constructed by pouching KCl electrolyte solution by both non-permeable (metal weldable) sheet and gas-permeable membrane with Pt- and Ag/AgCl-electrode patterned by microfabrication techniques. The electrolyte solution was fastened only by heat-sealing the edges of the weldable membranes without any chemical adhesives. The wearable oxygen sensor (thickness: 84 mum) was applied to the electrochemical measurement with a fixed potential of -600 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, thus obtaining the calibration range to dissolved oxygen (DO) from 0 to 8.0 mg/l and the quick response time (I I s to 90% of a steady-state current), which operate similarly to a commercially available oxygen electrode. By placing the wearable oxygen sensor onto the forearm skin surface of the subject inhaling various concentrations of oxygen the gas phase as the physiological application of it, the transcutaneous oxygen pressure was successfully monitored without any inconveniences such as skin inflammation, etc. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.