THE LIFEGUARD BRIEFS

A team of U.S. scientists has designed new underpants "smart" as well as being comfortable, durable and even elegant, could save lives. In the spring, the garment has an electronic biosensor which is in constant contact with the skin and can measure blood pressure, heart rate and other vital signs.The technology, developed by Professor Joseph Wang nanoengineering of the University of California San Diego and his team can revolutionize the field of intelligent clothing is part of a change that is to move from hospital-based treatment to care in home.The method is similar to conventional screen printing, but the ink contains carbon electrodes. The project is funded by the U.S. Army and the soldiers are likely to be the first to try."This specific project involves monitoring injuries to soldiers during surgery on the battlefield, and the goal is to develop minimally invasive sensors that can locate (...) and identify the type of wound," said Wang.Treat the woundThe biosensor that detects the lesion could also direct the release of drugs to relieve pain and to treat the wound. But the range of application of technology goes beyond the Army."We take into account the trend of personalized medicine to remotely monitor the elderly at home, controlling a wide variety of biomedical markers, such as heart disease, warn of a possible stroke and diabetic changes," among others, said WangBiosensors in clothing can also provide valuable information to athletes or even measure blood alcohol levels.But Wang said it may take some time before these smart underwear can be worn by soldiers on the battlefield, because more research is needed to ensure that monitoring systems are strong and durable to overcome the wear of daily activity .However, the view that there is increasing need to develop health monitoring systems reliable and able to carry on clothing.