Many ancient cultures practiced tattooing. Scientists concluded that these tattoos were symbols of their beliefs, social status, and rites of passage. Some of the tattoos that they discovered didn’t align with that symbolism though. Researchers suggest that these tattoos were for medical relief, because of their odd placement and minimalist designs. Ötzi the Iceman is a prime example. To this day, Ötzi is considered the most well preserved specimen of human remains. Scientists determined that he suffered with numerous painful conditions. Ötzi had 61 total tattoos consisting of lines and dashes, that were all done in the same areas as his conditions. His tattoos match traditional acupuncture points, which further suggests that tattooing was a medical practice. Of course, that was thousands of years ago when medical knowledge was exceptionally limited. In modern day, researchers and medical professionals are once again looking to tattoos for an array of applications.

Project: Dermal Abyss

In 2017, researchers from MIT and Harvard collaborated to study tattoos as status sensors. Under project Dermal Abyss, they developed inks capable of changing color depending on body status. The inks work by detecting changes in interstitial fluids (bodily fluid that surrounds cells). The inks are embedded the same way as normal tattoos, with the use of a tattoo machine. They have successfully developed a green that darkens depending on sodium levels, another green that turns brown depending on glucose, and two different inks to indicate pH. One is a pink that turns purple, and the other is a multi-color changing pigment. Each pigment indicates a different pH level. For a person living with diabetes, this could be revolutionary. In theory, one tattoo could save you from pricking your finger throughout the day. MIT has noted that this project was for research, so we can only imagine that future.

Less Invasive Method A – Graphene

Graphene is a material of the carbon family. This means that it is incredibly strong, however it is also incredibly thin. Unintentionally discovered in 2004, we are still exploring the potential uses for graphene today. A group of researchers at the University of Texas had theorized and developed a graphene patch for medical uses. The patch can interact with natural electrical signals of the body because of graphene’s conductivity. It is referred to as an electronic tattoo, because it is applied like temporary tattoos and is flush with skin. The ultrathin patch conforms to skin better than existing methods and remains flexible. That means readings will be more accurate and patient is subject to less discomfort.

Less Invasive Method B – Sensors Printed Directly Onto Skin

In early fall 2020, researchers announced a newly developed method of status monitoring that could revolutionize patient care. The concept is based around traditionally fabricated/printed circuitry, which requires high temperatures to bond metal components. Scientists were able to successfully lower the necessary temperature for bonding by adding additional material to the metals. After this crucial formula change, scientists could then print the same circuitry at room temperature. Newly achieved safe and low temperatures also mean that circuitry can be printed directly onto skin. Scientists were able to print functional circuitry onto skin in order to measure and monitor various vital signs. These ultrathin ‘biosensors’ offer a superior conformity to skin, which means that they remain flexible and comfortable.

Sources:

https://info.painfulpleasures.com/blogs/tattoos-technology-dermal-abyss?gclid=Cj0KCQiA5bz-BRD-ARIsABjT4ngqo9vp8Nio83FvCqlvY2a9TLiGkmOS32tSnzPKcgUCK7d2ogezF1saAiyxEALw_wcB

Overview ‹ DermalAbyss: Possibilities of Biosensors as a Tattooed Interface — MIT Media Lab

https://provaeducation.com/news/wearable-tattoo-scientists-print-sensors-directly-onto-skin-without-heat/1698948/

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsami.0c11479