Miniature Dosimeters Autonomously Monitor EMR Exposure
By MedImaging International staff writers Posted on 16 Jan 2020 |
Image: A prototype autonomous EMR dosimeter (Photo courtesy of NU)
A millimeter-scale, ultra-low-power wireless digital platform provides continuous electromagnetic radiation (EMR) dosimetry for time-managed, wireless consumer devices.
Developed at Northwestern University (NU; Evanston, IL, USA) and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST; Daejeon, Republic of Korea), the miniaturized digital dosimeter provides continuous EMR monitoring in an autonomous mode at one or multiple wavelengths simultaneously, transmitting the data over long-range wireless protocols to standard consumer devices. A single button cell battery powers the unit over a multiyear life span, enabled by the combined use of a light-powered, accumulation mode of detection and a light-adaptive, ultralow-power circuit design.
The dosimeter includes an accumulation detection module (ADM) for dosimetry and a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) system on a chip for wireless communication. A key feature is that the built-in ADM can directly measure continuous dose exposure without power consumption. As a result, it remains in an ultra-low sleep mode in the absence of light while continuously monitoring dosage via the ADM. When the dose exceeded a threshold, the device briefly wakes up to wirelessly transmit exposure data using BLE protocols to a smartphone, and resets the ADM and quickly return to sleep mode.
The ADM also includes a photodiode, supercapacitor, and a metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). The miniaturized forms of the device have already been tested on sunglass clips, earrings, and wristbands for personalized EMR exposure detection. Field studies have shown that the dosimeter is extremely efficient in monitoring short-wavelength blue light from indoor lighting and display systems, as well as ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared (IR) radiation from the sun. The study was published on December 13, 2109, in Science Advances.
“The key feature of the ADM is that it directly measures exposure dose in a continuous fashion, without any power consumption. By contrast, conventional digital approaches approximate dose through computational time integration across a series of brief measurements of intensity, each performed using active, battery-powered electronics,” concluded lead author Kyeongha Kwon, PhD, of NU and KAIST, and colleagues. “Lack of interface ports and mechanical switches and the absence of need for battery replacement allow hermetic sealing of device for waterproof, sweat-resistant, and wear-resistant capabilities.”
Overexposure or underexposure to EMR can accumulate with latent consequences; where excessive exposure to UV and blue light from the sun or emissions of tanning beds and cellphones, can have associated health risks. For instance, repetitive keratinocyte damage from chronic exposure to UV is fundamental to cause skin cancer. The shorter wavelengths of the visible spectrum can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the skin to cause DNA damage, hyperpigmentation and inflammation, alongside collagen and elastin degradation. Blue light can cause photochemical damage in retinal tissue to accelerate age-related maculopathy and modulate retinal control of the human circadian rhythm to suppress melatonin secretion.
Related Links:
Northwestern University
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Developed at Northwestern University (NU; Evanston, IL, USA) and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST; Daejeon, Republic of Korea), the miniaturized digital dosimeter provides continuous EMR monitoring in an autonomous mode at one or multiple wavelengths simultaneously, transmitting the data over long-range wireless protocols to standard consumer devices. A single button cell battery powers the unit over a multiyear life span, enabled by the combined use of a light-powered, accumulation mode of detection and a light-adaptive, ultralow-power circuit design.
The dosimeter includes an accumulation detection module (ADM) for dosimetry and a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) system on a chip for wireless communication. A key feature is that the built-in ADM can directly measure continuous dose exposure without power consumption. As a result, it remains in an ultra-low sleep mode in the absence of light while continuously monitoring dosage via the ADM. When the dose exceeded a threshold, the device briefly wakes up to wirelessly transmit exposure data using BLE protocols to a smartphone, and resets the ADM and quickly return to sleep mode.
The ADM also includes a photodiode, supercapacitor, and a metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). The miniaturized forms of the device have already been tested on sunglass clips, earrings, and wristbands for personalized EMR exposure detection. Field studies have shown that the dosimeter is extremely efficient in monitoring short-wavelength blue light from indoor lighting and display systems, as well as ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared (IR) radiation from the sun. The study was published on December 13, 2109, in Science Advances.
“The key feature of the ADM is that it directly measures exposure dose in a continuous fashion, without any power consumption. By contrast, conventional digital approaches approximate dose through computational time integration across a series of brief measurements of intensity, each performed using active, battery-powered electronics,” concluded lead author Kyeongha Kwon, PhD, of NU and KAIST, and colleagues. “Lack of interface ports and mechanical switches and the absence of need for battery replacement allow hermetic sealing of device for waterproof, sweat-resistant, and wear-resistant capabilities.”
Overexposure or underexposure to EMR can accumulate with latent consequences; where excessive exposure to UV and blue light from the sun or emissions of tanning beds and cellphones, can have associated health risks. For instance, repetitive keratinocyte damage from chronic exposure to UV is fundamental to cause skin cancer. The shorter wavelengths of the visible spectrum can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the skin to cause DNA damage, hyperpigmentation and inflammation, alongside collagen and elastin degradation. Blue light can cause photochemical damage in retinal tissue to accelerate age-related maculopathy and modulate retinal control of the human circadian rhythm to suppress melatonin secretion.
Related Links:
Northwestern University
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Latest Radiography News
- Novel Breast Imaging System Proves As Effective As Mammography
- AI Assistance Improves Breast-Cancer Screening by Reducing False Positives
- AI Could Boost Clinical Adoption of Chest DDR
- 3D Mammography Almost Halves Breast Cancer Incidence between Two Screening Tests
- AI Model Predicts 5-Year Breast Cancer Risk from Mammograms
- Deep Learning Framework Detects Fractures in X-Ray Images With 99% Accuracy
- Direct AI-Based Medical X-Ray Imaging System a Paradigm-Shift from Conventional DR and CT
- Chest X-Ray AI Solution Automatically Identifies, Categorizes and Highlights Suspicious Areas
- AI Diagnoses Wrist Fractures As Well As Radiologists
- Annual Mammography Beginning At 40 Cuts Breast Cancer Mortality By 42%
- 3D Human GPS Powered By Light Paves Way for Radiation-Free Minimally-Invasive Surgery
- Novel AI Technology to Revolutionize Cancer Detection in Dense Breasts
- AI Solution Provides Radiologists with 'Second Pair' Of Eyes to Detect Breast Cancers
- AI Helps General Radiologists Achieve Specialist-Level Performance in Interpreting Mammograms
- Novel Imaging Technique Could Transform Breast Cancer Detection
- Computer Program Combines AI and Heat-Imaging Technology for Early Breast Cancer Detection