Mechanochromic array patch and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a skin-integrated mechanochromic array patch that implements a color change in response to strain applied to the skin surface by musculoskeletal movement, and may include stretchable mechanochromic color-changing portions; polymer connecting portions connecting the mechanochromic color-changing portions to each other; and water-insoluble support portions, wherein the polymer connecting portions may have an elastic modulus greater than that of the mechanochromic color-changing portions.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanochromic array patch, and more specifically, to a mechanochromic array patch that implements a color change in response to mechanical strain applied to the surface of the skin by the movement of the musculoskeletal system. Background Technology

[0002] Wearable device technology, which implements functional components and systems on the human body, is being widely applied in various forms for musculoskeletal movement analysis and disease diagnosis due to its advantages, such as high convenience and ease of reflecting actual body movements. These wearable devices provide us with information regarding the state and movement of the musculoskeletal system through direct bio-signal measurement or indirect methods via separate externally connected systems. By analyzing this data, it is possible to assess the condition of the musculoskeletal system and diagnose the presence of diseases; depending on the type of wearable device, measurements are taken in specific environments or during daily life.

[0003] However, existing methods can only obtain information at specific points rather than continuous detection because the device possesses physical properties different from our skin and its degree of directness is limited. Additionally, there is a problem in that the strain of the film itself is reflected rather than the strain of different skin regions beneath the patch; to avoid this, these methods have been applied restrictively only to large, unidirectional movements of joint areas, rather than complex movements of the musculoskeletal system over a wide area. - Prior Art Information 1. Korean Published Patent 10-2022-0077497 (Publication Date: June 9, 2022) 2. Korean Published Patent 10-2019-0002029 (Publication Date: January 8, 2019) The problem to be solved

[0004] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a mechanochromic patch comprising mechanochromic color-changing portions arranged in an array form.

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a method for manufacturing a mechanochromic patch comprising mechanochromic color-changing portions arranged in an array form. means of solving the problem

[0006] A mechanochromic array patch according to the present invention may comprise stretchable mechanochromic portions, said mechanochromic portions arranged in a two-dimensional array form; polymer connecting portions connecting adjacent mechanochromic portions to each other; and water-insoluble support portions. The polymer connecting portions may have an elastic modulus greater than that of the mechanochromic portions. Each of said mechanochromic portions may be configured to change color according to strain.

[0007] A method for manufacturing a mechanochromic array patch according to the present invention may include the steps of: forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate; forming a line-shaped polymer connection on the sacrificial layer; forming mechanochromic color-changing portions at each end of the polymer connection; forming an insoluble support on the polymer connection and the mechanochromic color-changing portions; and removing the sacrificial layer, wherein the polymer connection may have an elastic modulus greater than that of the mechanochromic color-changing portions. Effects of the invention

[0008] The mechanochromic array patch of the present invention can provide information regarding the movement of the musculoskeletal system without distortion caused by an external power source or the size of the patch. By separating a non-stretchable polymer connecting part from a color-changing part having stretchability and mechanochromic properties, the sensitivity and functionality of the patch can be improved.

[0009] The mechanochromic array patch of the present invention is manufactured in the form of a skin-integrated patch that can be attached along the contours of the skin, thereby enabling the identification of movements of the musculoskeletal system beneath the skin in a locally concentrated manner. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mechanochromic array patch according to one embodiment. Figures 2a and 2b are each plan views of a mechanochromic array patch enlarged from the M region of Figure 1. FIG. 2a is a plan view of a mechanochromic array patch according to one embodiment. FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of a mechanochromic array patch under external force conditions with applied tensile stress according to one embodiment. FIGS. 3A, FIGS. 3B, FIGS. 3C, and FIGS. 3D are drawings illustrating the manufacturing process of a mechanochromic array patch according to one embodiment. FIG. 3e is a drawing showing a mechanochromic array patch according to one embodiment transferred onto the skin. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a mechanochromic array patch to which compression is applied according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a mechanochromic array patch to which tensile stress has been applied according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a mechanochromic array patch including polymer connections that are continuously connected in a triangular shape. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a mechanochromic array patch containing polymer connections that are continuously connected in a hexagonal shape. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0011] In order to fully understand the structure and effects of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various forms and various modifications can be made. The description of these embodiments is provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention.

[0012] The terms used herein are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text. As used herein, 'comprises' and / or 'comprising' do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components to the mentioned components.

[0014] Hereinafter, a mechanochromic array patch according to the present invention and a method for manufacturing the same will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a mechanochromic array patch according to one embodiment.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a mechanochromic array patch (1000) may include stretchable mechanochromic portions (1200), said mechanochromic portions (1200) arranged in a two-dimensional shape; polymer connecting portions (1100) connecting adjacent mechanochromic portions (1200) to each other; and water-insoluble support portions (1400). The polymer connecting portions (1100) may have an elastic modulus greater than that of said mechanochromic portions (1200).

[0017] Each of the mechanochromic color-changing parts (1200) can change color depending on the strain. For example, the color of the mechanochromic color-changing part to which tensile stress is applied may be different from the color of the color-changing part before the tensile stress is applied. Each of the color-changing parts (1200) constituting the mechanochromic patch may display different colors depending on the concentrated strain.

[0018] Each of the mechanochromic color-changing portions (1200) may include a stretchable polymer and a mechanochromic material. The stretchable polymer may be formed from a material that is free to change shape, such as having elasticity. For example, the stretchable polymer may include polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), poly-butylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), and poly(styrene-block-butadiene styrene) (SBS). The mechanochromic material may include a photonic crystal, piezophotonic materials, mechanophores-linked polymers, and a microcrack structure.

[0019] In the present invention, the stretchable polymer may have an elastic modulus of about 0.5 MPa to about 80 MPa.

[0020] The mechanochromic color-changing portion (1200) may additionally include a skin-adhesive material layer for adhesion to the skin. The material layer may include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and hydrogel.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, adjacent mechanochromic sections (1200) can be connected by a line-shaped polymer link (1100). The polymer link (1100) may include a non-stretchable polymer. For example, the polymer link (1100) may include polyimide (PI), photoresist, and resin.

[0022] In the present invention, the non-stretchable polymer may have an elastic modulus of about 2 GPa or more.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, a water-insoluble support (1400) may be formed on the polymer linkage (1100) and the mechanochromic color change portions (1200). The water-insoluble support (1400) may include water-insoluble materials such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polystyrene (PS), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET).

[0024] Figures 2a and 2b are enlarged plan views of the M region of Figure 1.

[0025] FIG. 2a shows the appearance of a mechanochromic array patch before tensile stress is applied. Referring to FIG. 2a, each of the mechanochromic color-changing portions (1200A, 1200B) may have a first width (A1). The first mechanochromic color-changing portion (1200A) may be connected to the second mechanochromic color-changing portion (1200B) by a polymer connecting portion (1100) having a first length (D1).

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2b, the mechanochromic array patch (1000) may be subjected to an external force condition in which tensile stress is applied. Under the external force condition, each of the first and second mechanochromic color-changing parts (1200A, 1200B) may have a second width (A2). The second width (A2) may be larger than the first width (A1). Under the external force condition, the mechanochromic color-changing parts (1200A, 1200B) may display a different color from the mechanochromic color-changing parts (1200A, 1200B) of FIG. 2a because the color of the mechanochromic color-changing parts (1200A, 1200B) may change according to strain. The strain of each of the mechanochromic color-changing parts (1200A, 1200B) may be the difference between the second width (A2) and the first width (A1).

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the polymer connecting portion (1100) may include a non-stretchable polymer, so that the length (D1) of the polymer connecting portion in FIG. 2b may be substantially the same as the length (D1) of the polymer connecting portion in FIG. 2a. Additionally, the polymer connecting portion (1100) may have less or no color change compared to the mechanochromic color-changing portion (1200) even under external force conditions where tensile stress is applied.

[0028] Referring again to FIG. 2a, when the tensile stress applied to the mechanochromic array patch is reduced, each of the mechanochromic color-changing parts (1200A, 1200B) can again have a first width (A1). Accordingly, the mechanochromic color-changing parts (1200A, 1200B) can display the color they had before the tensile stress was applied.

[0029] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are drawings illustrating the manufacturing process of a mechanochromic array patch. The following is omitted if it overlaps with what has been previously described.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, a method for manufacturing a mechanochromic array patch according to the present invention may include the steps of: forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate; forming a line-shaped polymer connection on the sacrificial layer; forming mechanochromic color-changing portions at each end of the polymer connection; and removing the sacrificial layer.

[0031] A method for manufacturing a mechanochromic array patch according to the present invention includes the step of forming a sacrificial layer (1300) on a substrate. The sacrificial layer (1300) may include polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacrylamide (PAAM), and / or polyacrylic acid (PAA).

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3a, a line-shaped polymer connection (1100) may be formed on a sacrificial layer (1300). Referring to FIG. 3b, mechanochromic color-changing portions (1200) may be formed at each end of the polymer connection (1100). Referring to FIG. 3c, a water-insoluble support portion (1400) may be formed on the polymer connection (1100) and the mechanochromic color-changing portions (1200). At this time, the water-insoluble support portion (1400) may be formed in a form that transfers a film onto the polymer connection (1100) and the mechanochromic color-changing portions (1200).

[0033] A method for manufacturing a mechanochromic array patch according to the present invention may include a step of removing a sacrificial layer (1300) after forming a water-insoluble support (1400). FIG. 3d is a drawing showing the mechanochromic array patch transferred onto the skin after removing the sacrificial layer (1300).

[0034] FIG. 3e is a schematic diagram showing the form in which a mechanochromic patch according to one embodiment of the present invention is transferred onto the skin. Referring to FIG. 3e, after the mechanochromic array patch of FIG. 3d is transferred onto the skin, the skin transfer support (1400) can be removed. Depending on the movement of the musculoskeletal system beneath the skin, the mechanochromic array patch attached to the skin may have different strain distributions internally. The strain distribution may appear as a color change of each of the mechanochromic discoloration parts (1200).

[0035] Since the polymer linkage (1100) has a larger elastic modulus than the mechanochromic color change portion (1200), the change in length and thickness may be smaller or non-existent compared to the mechanochromic color change portion. The color change of the mechanochromic color change portions (1200) can be utilized for strain analysis concentrated locally on the mechanochromic color change portion (1200). Through strain analysis, the movement of the musculoskeletal system beneath the skin can be inferred.

[0036] FIGS. 4 and FIGS. 5 are plan views showing the color change of a mechanochromic patch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the appearance of a mechanochromic array patch attached to the skin when the skin contracts, with compression applied in the left-right direction. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the appearance of a mechanochromic array patch when the skin relaxes, with tensile stress applied in the left-right direction. In FIGS. 4 and FIGS. 5, the change in length and thickness of the polymer connecting portion (1100) may be smaller or non-existent compared to the mechanochromic discoloration portions (1200).

[0037] FIGS. 6 and 7 are plan views illustrating embodiments of various array designs of a mechanochromic array patch. Referring to FIG. 6, the polymer linkages (1100) of the mechanochromic array patch can be continuously connected in a triangular shape. Referring to FIG. 7, the polymer linkages (1100) can be continuously connected in a hexagonal shape.

[0039] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical concept or essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. Explanation of the symbols

[0040] 1000 : Mechanochromic Array Patch 1100 : Polymer connector 1200: Mechanochromic part 1300 : Sacrifice layer 1400 : Insoluble support

Claims

Claim 1 A stretchable mechanochromic portion, wherein the mechanochromic portions are arranged in a two-dimensional array form; a polymer linker connecting adjacent mechanochromic portions to each other; and a water-insoluble support, wherein the polymer linker has an elastic modulus greater than that of the mechanochromic portions. Claim 2 In claim 1, each of the mechanochromic color-changing portions is configured to change color according to strain, forming a mechanochromic array patch. Claim 3 In claim 1, the polymer connecting portion is a mechanochromic array patch comprising a non-stretchable polymer. Claim 4 In claim 1, each of the mechanochromic color-changing portions is a mechanochromic array patch comprising a stretchable polymer and a mechanochromic material. Claim 5 In claim 4, the stretchable polymer comprises at least one of polydimethylsiloxane, poly-butylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), and poly(styrene-block-butadiene styrene) (SBS), a mechanochromic array patch. Claim 6 In claim 4, the mechanochromic material comprises at least one of a photonic crystal, piezophotonic materials, mechanophores-linked polymers, and a microcrack structure, forming a mechanochromic array patch. Claim 7 In claim 1, the polymer linkage comprises at least one of polyimide, photoresist, and resin in a mechanochromic array patch. Claim 8 In claim 1, the water-insoluble support comprises at least one of polydimethylsiloxane, polystyrene, and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), a mechanochromic array patch. Claim 9 In claim 1, the mechanochromic discoloration portion further comprises a skin-adhesive material layer, wherein the material layer comprises at least one of polyvinyl alcohol and hydrogel, a mechanochromic array patch. Claim 10 A method for manufacturing a mechanochromic array patch comprising: forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate; forming a line-shaped polymer connection on the sacrificial layer; forming mechanochromic color-changing portions at each end of the polymer connection; forming an insoluble support on the polymer connection and the mechanochromic color-changing portions; and removing the sacrificial layer, wherein the polymer connection has an elastic modulus greater than that of the mechanochromic color-changing portions. Claim 11 A method for manufacturing a mechanochromic array patch according to claim 10, wherein the sacrificial layer comprises at least one of polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, and polyacrylic acid. Claim 12 In claim 10, a method for manufacturing a mechanochromic array patch comprising each of the mechanochromic color-changing portions, the mechanochromic array patch comprising a stretchable polymer and a mechanochromic material. Claim 13 A method for manufacturing a mechanochromic array patch according to claim 12, wherein the stretchable polymer comprises at least one of polydimethylsiloxane, polymer resin, and poly(styrene-block-butadiene styrene) (SBS). Claim 14 A method for manufacturing a mechanochromic array patch according to claim 12, wherein the mechanochromic color-changing portions comprise at least one of a mechanochromic photonic crystal, piezophotonic materials, mechanophores-linked polymers, and a microcrack structure. Claim 15 In claim 10, a method for manufacturing a mechanochromic array patch in which the polymer linkage is any one of polyimide, photoresist, and resin. Claim 16 A method for manufacturing a mechanochromic array patch according to claim 10, wherein the water-insoluble support comprises at least one of polydimethylsiloxane, polystyrene, and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). Claim 17 A method for manufacturing a mechanochromic array patch according to claim 10, wherein the step of forming the mechanochromic discoloration portions includes the step of adding a skin-adhesive material layer, said material layer comprising at least one of polyvinyl alcohol and hydrogel.

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