Researchers in Japan report a breakthrough in the design ofskin sensors that significantlyextends the life of devices that monitor oxygen blood levels.

As reported in Medical News Today, the University of Tokyoscientists developed an “e-skin” that is stable in the air and thusdoes not deteriorate within hours of use as do current sensors.

Five layers of an inorganic material comprise the protectivefilm around the sensor, protecting its electronic components fromair and water vapor.

The device is worn on a finger and displays the blood oxygenlevel via a polymer light-emitting diode system. Thescientists said their e-skin represents a major step forward,overcoming the limitations of the previous devices, which were madefrom glass or plastic.

The process opens the way for more ultra-thin and ultra-flexiblewearable monitoring devices, the research team said, ones that canbe used for several days.

"Ultimately, flexible organic optical sensors may be directlylaminated on organs to monitor the blood oxygen level during andafter surgery,” the team posited.