STRP

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Skin-Like Cardiac Patch for Personalized and Preventive Heart Care

Lead: Lin Dong, PhD, Assistant Professor; Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, NJIT

Partner: Huzaifa Shakir, MD, MHA, FACS; Associate Professor, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School

Keywords: Heart disease, cardiac monitoring solutions, data-driven clinical decisions

Amount: $75000

Intellectual Property Status: Invention disclosure

Award Date: 01/02/2026

End Date: 06/30/2027

ABSTRACT

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, driving urgent demand for advanced, reliable, and patient-centric cardiac monitoring solutions that enable early detection, continuous care, and data-driven clinical decisions. Existing ambulatory devices, which rely primarily on electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring, are limited by patient discomfort, rigid connections, poor breathability, short battery life, and inadequate long-term usability. These constraints hinder continuous monitoring, delay timely intervention, and reduce patient engagement, creating a clear gap in the market for next-generation, high performance wearable solutions.

The proposed skin-like dual-functional cardiac patch directly addresses these limitations by simultaneously capturing ECG and seismocardiogram (SCG) signals, providing a comprehensive, real-time assessment of cardiac function. It leverages advanced nanofibrous materials to detect mechanical heart vibrations and nanowire electrodes for robust electrical performance while maintaining skin-like flexibility, breathability, and biocompatibility. Its self-powered design converts cardiac motion into sensing signals, enabling autonomous, continuous monitoring without external power sources. The combination of dual-modal sensing, seamless skin conformity, and long-term wearability establishes a new benchmark for personalized, preventive cardiac care.

The commercial potential is substantial. The global cardiovascular devices market was valued at $57.35 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $128.23 billion by 2034, reflecting a CAGR of 8.4%. Growth is fueled by increasing cardiovascular disease prevalence, rising healthcare expenditures, and adoption of wearable, minimally invasive, and home-based monitoring solutions. By delivering non-intrusive, dual-modal monitoring with superior comfort and usability, the patch provides a distinct competitive advantage over traditional ECG-centric devices. A provisional patent further secures intellectual property and enhances investment and commercialization prospects.

By combining innovative nanomaterials, flexible electronics, and patient-focused design, the dual-functional cardiac patch represents a transformative, investable platform. It supports earlier detection, informed clinical decision-making, improved patient outcomes, and positions itself to capture a significant share of the expanding wearable and home-based cardiac monitoring market, offering a high-impact, commercially viable solution for the future of cardiac care.