October 31, 2024 /SemiMedia/ — Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has introduced a new stretchable printed circuit (SPC) technology, marking a breakthrough in flexible electronics for medical applications. The SPC allows for both flexibility and stretchability, enabling it to deform and adapt to various surfaces while maintaining full functionality. This advancement targets applications such as wearable therapeutic devices and vital sign monitoring tools, improving comfort, accuracy, and durability over traditional devices.

Demand for continuous vital monitoring is growing as advanced diagnostic procedures in hospitals and real-time health data collection become integral to preventative healthcare. However, conventional devices often lack flexibility, leading to discomfort, poor contact with the skin, and inconsistent data. Murata’s SPC addresses these issues with a soft, skin-friendly material designed for applications including EEG, EMG, and ECG devices, allowing more adaptable monitoring across different body areas and patients, including in complex regions such as joints.

The SPC technology incorporates advanced features such as ANSI/AAMI EC12-compliant stretchable electrodes, hybrid bonding, and a unique shielding layer to minimize electromagnetic interference. The substrate's high resistance to moisture and tolerance for high voltages further enhance durability and reliability, giving designers the freedom to innovate while integrating multi-functional sensing.

Murata's SPC can be customized to meet specific client needs, drawing on Murata’s extensive resources for collaborative development, testing under various conditions, and troubleshooting. Depending on requirements, components such as filters, amplifiers, and multiple sensors can be integrated into a single sheet for accurate, multi-parameter data acquisition. Murata also provides end-to-end support, from custom design and prototyping to production, facilitating efficient product development for next-generation medical wearables.

For further details, pleas visit https://www.murata.com/en-us/products/pcb/spc.