The increasing use of disposable medical electrodes poses a significant environmental challenge. In response to this growing concern, Screentec is developing innovative methods to reduce environmental impact. Through collaboration with industry partners and research institutions, and active participation in the EU project Sustronics, Screentec is working on creating wearable electrodes using more sustainable substrates and conductive pastes, like copper and carbon.
One of the pilots within the Sustronics project, titled “Wearable Health Monitoring,” aims to establish lifecycle design practices for single-use and multi-use wearable health monitoring devices. Screentec, as an industrial manufacturer of printed electronics, is leading the charge in developing more eco-friendly ECG electrodes as part of Pilot 2.2 of the Sustronics project.
The Sustronics Project: Enhancing Sustainability in Healthcare
With a three-year timeline and nine pilots, the Sustronics project brings together key players in the value chain with a total of 46 partners from 11 countries. The project aims to lead the electronics industry towards sustainability, addressing environmental challenges and strengthening Europe’s position as a global technology hub.
Pilot #2.2 of the Sustronics project, Wearable Health Monitoring, aims to establish lifecycle design practices for single-use and multi-use health monitoring solutions. This initiative includes identifying and testing alternative materials to replace current ones – for example, replacing silver with copper and carbon and PET substrates with paper. Additionally, the project aims to design connector-free electrodes to streamline production processes and advocate for more sustainable manufacturing strategies. Addressing the washability of multi-use electrodes integrated into textiles is also a key aspect.
The goal of the pilot is to create prototypes of more sustainable single-use and multi-use medical electrodes for ECG and Bioimpedance monitoring. Together with its partners EDI, Movesense, Tampere University, Tervakoski, UPM Raflatac, and VTT, Screentec is committed to advancing more sustainable technology in healthcare.
Collaborative Efforts for More Sustainable Wearable Electrodes
The project involves extensive testing and collaboration with key stakeholders. Screentec has conducted test prints using 22 different materials, including various substrates and conductive pastes. Electromechanical testing by Tampere University, functional testing by Movesense, and material processability testing by Screentec have all contributed to the project. Additionally, lifecycle analyses by VTT have provided crucial insights into the environmental impact, guiding the project towards greater sustainability.
The Next Steps
Pilot 2.2 is advancing, with significant progress marked by the completion of Gen1 prototypes. The project’s next phase focuses on printing Gen2 samples, aiming to refine and optimize electrode designs based on insights from the Gen1 prototypes. Screentec, in collaboration with its partners, will use data from the Gen1 samples to identify the best materials and processes for the Gen2 prototypes.
Success hinges on combining optimal materials and techniques to create high-performance electrodes that meet stringent sustainability standards. By continuously iterating and refining with each generation, Screentec, together with project partners, aims to advance environmentally friendly healthcare technology.
Pilot 2.2 Project Partners in the picture (from left to right): Ulla Saari (Tampere University), Kimmo Keränen (VTT), Pasi Lehtonen (UPM Raflatac), Jussi Kaasinen (Movesense), Juuso Rantanen (Tervakoski), Lotta Hepo-oja (VTT), Matti Mäntysalo (Tampere University), Kirsi Immonen (VTT). On the couch: Janne Oinas (UPM Raflatac), Fatemeh Abedi (Tampere University) and Mikko Paakkolanvaara (Screentec).
Read more about the Sustronics Project here.