Menu

Menu

About the Hydration Check Patch

Learn more

About the Hydration Check Patch

Learn more

Sweat

Diagnostics

Explore the Hydration Check Experience

Introduction

The Hydration Check Patch is a product concept developed by industrial designer Nils Achenbach as part of his master’s thesis in Advanced Product Design at Umeå Institute of Design in northern Sweden. With experience in personal electronics, advanced medical care products, as well as automotive, automation, and industrial equipment, he chose to explore continuous sweat sensing as a potential future direction for wellbeing and fitness wearables.




“For my final project, I wanted to focus on a topic that has always interested me and motivated my studies in design. Wearable technology, in particular, has the potential to transform abstract concepts into practical, intuitive products that can benefit people’s lives. The Hydration Check Patch aims to be a vision for the near-future potential of sweat analysis in printed electronics and wearable sensors. I believe that this project is only the start of many more tools and products that can support individuals in various life stages, from senior care to self-care, and hospital care in the future.”

What the Hydration Check patch does -
and why I am doing it

What the Hydration Check patch does
- and why I am doing it

The Hydration Check Patch demonstrates electrochemical sweat analysis for noninvasive, continuous hydration monitoring without requiring physical activity. Designed for elderly care, it addresses the increasing healthcare demands and the rise of heat waves around the globe.

During my research, I explored demographic aging and the increasing strain on healthcare systems across Europe. By 2050, an estimated 29% of Europeans will be aged over 65, significantly amplifying healthcare demands amidst capacity limitations and a shortage of qualified personnel. This underscores the critical need for diagnostic and preventive tools and remote healthcare applications that empower patients to manage their health. Inspired by these challenges, I designed a solution benefiting both healthcare professionals and senior individuals. And isn't it strange that there are no reliable hydration-tracking solutions on the market yet?

What you need to take away

Sweat offers a variety of biomarkers, such as sodium, potassium, and lactate, that correlate with blood levels, making it a promising alternative to invasive methods like blood draws, which often cause discomfort in patients. Since seniors naturally have a decreased ability to sweat, two iontophoresis electrodes on the patch can induce an unnoticeable one mA current to stimulate sweat glands and draw tiny amounts of sweat into a microfluidic channel. An electrochemical sweat sensor operates by using electrodes coated with specific chemical receptors that react with these biomarkers, producing an electrical signal that is measured and analyzed. The sensors are printed on flexible PET substrates and use very small amounts of silver and carbon for the electrodes. Roll-to-roll printing processes are very cost-effective, making the patches accessible and affordable since the receptor is typically used for two to three days.

Talking to experts within elderly care, as well as fellow designers from our community, I've come to realize that the idea of the Hydration Check Patch has great potential. Perhaps more importantly, many people have approached me, asking me to continue developing this product and bring it to market so they can better support their loved ones. I genuinely believe that a product like this could have a lasting, positive impact on the world.

The Designer

Contact

Let’s start a conversation

Say "hej" for a chat about the future of healthcare

Contact

Let’s start a conversation

Say "hej" for a chat about the future of healthcare

Contact

Let’s start a conversation

Say "hej" for a chat about the future of healthcare