[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/SmartWristbandFigure2.jpg” thumb_width=”150″ /]Researchers at Rutgers University-New Brunswick (NJ) have developed a wristband with a biosensor that can count particles, including blood cells, bacteria and organic or inorganic particles in the air. The cuff-sized wristband has a circuit to process electrical signals, a micro-controller for digitizing data and a Bluetooth module to transmit data wirelessly to a smartphone app for further analysis. The blood count has to be done through pinpricks that funnel the cells through a channel thinner than a human hair to the biosensor.

From the articles, it appears the technology would be an add-on extending the capabilities of other sensor-based wearables. For instance, blood count monitoring could add another diagnostic parameter to traditional devices for chronic conditions and be used in diagnostic tools in remote or battlefield settings. Environmental analysis of air particles could be used for allergens or potentially toxic environments. Bacterial analysis could be used in potentially infectious settings or diagnosis. Rutgers Today,  Microsystems & Nanoengineering, Mobihealthnews