IoMT-Integrated Serpentine Strain Gauge for Bioelectromagnetic Contact Lens Platforms in Continuous Tonometric Monitoring

초록

Glaucoma is a well-known ocular disease characterized by structural deformation of the eyeball resulting from changes in intraocular pressure (IOP). Typically, asymptomatic in early stages, glaucoma leads progressively to optic nerve damage and eventually permanent vision loss. This article presents a system-level investigation integrating a serpentine strain gauge specifically engineered for bioelectromagnetic contact lens (CL) platforms to enable continuous, noninvasive tonometric monitoring of IOP. Leveraging advanced microfabrication techniques and an optimized serpentine geometry, the proposed sensor demonstrates a strain sensitivity of 116±3Ω/mmHg with an expanded measurement uncertainty of ±1.2mmHg (k=2) , effectively capturing subtle corneal curvature variations associated with physiological IOP fluctuations. Embedded within an ultrathin, flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate, this resistance-based sensor is coupled seamlessly with a miniaturized circular-shaped dipole antenna designed for robust wireless operation at the 2.45-GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. Comprehensive electromagnetic (EM) simulations employing ANSYS HFSS and Sim4Life, corroborated by rigorous experimental validation, confirm optimal antenna performance, achieving a −10-dB bandwidth of 760 MHz and a peak gain of approximately −16.93 dBi. Safety evaluations through specific absorption rate (SAR) analyses indicate compliance with IEEE safety standards, affirming the antenna’s biocompatibility and appropriateness for ocular applications. Furthermore, the sensor-integrated telemetry system reliably transmitted strain-induced electrical signals up to 3 m, demonstrating effective real-time data acquisition and transmission for telemedicine applications. This integration of flexible electronics, optimized EM design, and wireless telemetry significantly advances the state-of-the-art in ocular biosensing, providing transformative potential for patient-centric, continuous glaucoma management.

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