Tattoos That Can Track Your Health

Many ancient cultures practiced tattooing. Scientists found that these tattoos were symbols of their beliefs, social status, and rites of passage. Some of the tattoos that they found didn’t align with that theory though. Researchers suggest that these tattoos were for medical relief, because of their odd placement and designs. Ötzi the Iceman is a prime example. To this day, Ötzi is considered the most well preserved of human remains. Scientists found that he suffered with many painful conditions. Ötzi had 61 total tattoos made up of lines and dashes, that were all done in the same areas as his pain. His tattoos match traditional acupuncture points, which suggests that tattooing was a medical practice. Of course, that was thousands of years ago when medical knowledge was very limited. In modern day, researchers and medical professionals are once again looking to tattoos for an array of uses.

Project: Dermal Abyss

In 2017, researchers from MIT and Harvard collaborated to study tattoos as status sensors. Under project Dermal Abyss, they made inks capable of changing color depending on body status. The inks work by detecting changes in interstitial fluids ( fluid that surrounds cells). The inks are laid the same way as normal tattoos, with the use of a tattoo machine. They have successfully made a green that darkens depending on sodium levels, another green that turns brown depending on glucose, and two inks to indicate pH. One is a pink that turns purple, and the other is a multi-color changing ink. Each color shows a different pH level. For a person living with diabetes, this could be revolutionary. In theory, one tattoo could save you from pricking your finger through out the day. MIT has noted that this project was for research, so we can only imagine that future.

Less Invasive Method A – Graphene

Graphene is a material of the carbon family. This means that it is very strong, however it is also incredibly thin. Accidentally discovered in 2004, we are still exploring the potential uses for graphene today. A group of researchers at the University of Texas had theorized and made a graphene patch for medical uses. The patch can interact with natural electrical signals of the body because of graphene’s conductivity. It is referred to as an electronic tattoo, because it is applied like temporary tattoos and is flush with skin. The ultrathin patch conforms to skin better than existing methods and remains flexible. That means readings will be more accurate and patient is subject to less discomfort.

Less Invasive Method B – Sensors Printed Directly Onto Skin

In early fall 2020, researchers announced a newly developed method of status monitoring that could revolutionize patient care. The concept is based around traditionally fabricated/printed circuitry, which requires high temperatures to bond metal components. Scientists were able to successfully lower the needed temperature for bonding by adding additional material to the metals. After this crucial formula change, scientists could then print the same circuitry at room temperature. Newly achieved safe and low temperatures also mean that circuitry can be printed directly onto skin. Scientists were able to print functional circuitry onto skin in order to measure and monitor various vital signs. These ultrathin ‘biosensors’ offer a superior conformity to skin, which means that they remain flexible and comfortable.

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