A review: Recent advancements in sensor technology for non-invasive neonatal health monitoring
Shivam Mishra, Ghada A. Khouqeer, B. Aamna, Abdullah N. Alodhayb, S. Jafar Ali Ibrahim, Manish Kumar Hooda, Gaurav Jayaswal
Abstract
Neonates and paediatric patients need to be monitored using a variety of instruments to measure physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac activity, respiratory rate, body temperature, etc. For each measurement, a review of current and emerging techniques has been reviewed, highlighting limitations as well as clinical utility. However, some developing countries have neonatal mortality rates reaching as high as 40% due to the unavailability of these healthcare monitoring systems. Hence, there has been a growing interest in low-cost flexible biosensors for healthcare applications that can attempt to address current limitations as well as be cost-effective. Such biosensors can make use of advances in several technologies, including non-invasive sensory, analytical, transudative, as well as transmissive sensing. A review of advances and the state-of-the-art techniques in each field are presented, as well as flowcharts and guidelines on how such a biosensor can be designed. Finally, several design considerations as well as key features are presented, highlighting essential as well as nice-to-have features of such a biosensor, all aiming towards improving the overall stability, comfort, and development of critical infants.