Apparatus, system, and method for monitoring and characterizing user activity via flexible circuitry

Abstract

A system configured to monitor and characterize a user's motion is disclosed. The system may include a wearable device comprising a tubular body of elastic material, a flexible circuit including a liquid-phase conductor configured to generate a first signal, and an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") coupled to the elastic material and configured to generate a second signal. The system may further include a processor communicatively coupled to the flexible circuit and the IMU.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 157,812, entitled "JOINT MONITORING SLEEVE," filed March 7, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 235,937, entitled "BIASING ELECTRODES SLEEVES," filed August 23, 2021; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 241,806, entitled "BRACE WITH INERTIAL MEASUREMENT UNITS," filed September 8, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to flexible circuits, and more particularly to flexible circuits that can be incorporated into wearable devices for the purpose of generating simulated movements in a virtual environment that correspond to physical movements in a real environment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The following description is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the embodiments disclosed herein and is not intended to be a complete description, A complete understanding of the various embodiments can be obtained by taking the specification, claims, and abstract as a whole.

[0004] In various aspects, a system configured to monitor and characterize a user's motion is disclosed. The system can include a wearable device including a tubular body including an elastic material, a flexible circuit including a liquid-phase conductor configured to generate a first signal, an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") connected to the elastic material, the IMU configured to generate a second signal, and a processor communicatively connected to the flexible circuit and the IMU.

[0005] In various aspects, a wearable device configured to monitor a user's movements is disclosed. The wearable device can include a tubular body made of an elastic material, a flexible circuit including a liquid-phase conductor configured to generate a first signal, and an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") connected to the elastic material and configured to generate a second signal, wherein the flexible circuit and the IMU are communicatively connected to a processor via a plurality of conductive traces made of the liquid-phase conductor.

[0006] In various aspects, a method for generating a virtual reproduction of a physical motion performed by a user of a wearable device including a plurality of flexible circuits is disclosed, the method including: performing a first motion while wearing the wearable device, generating a first electrical parameter associated with the first motion by a first flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits, generating motion capture data associated with performing the first motion by a camera, associating the generated motion capture data and the generated first electrical parameter by a processor communicatively coupled to the wearable device, storing the correlation by a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, repeating the first motion while wearing the wearable device, and generating, by the processor, a virtual reproduction of the first motion based solely on the stored correlation between the generated motion capture data and the generated first electrical parameter.

[0007] These and other features and characteristics of the present disclosure, as well as the method of operation and function of the associated elements of construction, and combination of parts, and economic efficiency of manufacture, will become more apparent from a consideration of the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part hereof, and in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings, and it is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for the purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] The various features of the embodiments described herein are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. However, the various embodiments, together with their advantages, both as to organization and method of operation, may be understood as follows in accordance with the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a strain sensor system including a two-dimensional strain sensor according to at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.

[0010] [Figure 2] 2A-E illustrate individual layers of the medium of the strain sensor system of FIG. 1 in accordance with at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.

[0011] [Figure 3] 3A and 3B show traces of a strain sensor system in a relaxed state and a deformed state in accordance with at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.

[0012] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates another strain sensor in accordance with at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.

[0013] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates an electrode according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates another electrode according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] [Figure 7] 7A and 7B show another electrode according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates another electrode according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] [Figure 9] 9A and 9B show another electrode according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates a wearable device according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates another wearable device according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates another wearable device in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates a flexible circuit configured to be incorporated into a wearable device in accordance with at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.

[0022] [Figure 14] 14A-D show several other flexible circuits in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] [Figure 15] FIG. 15 illustrates another wearable device in accordance with at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.

[0024] [Figure 16] FIG. 16 illustrates the wearable device of FIG. 15 according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] [Figure 17] FIG. 17 illustrates the wearable device of FIGS. 15 and 16 according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] [Figure 18] FIG. 18 illustrates another wearable device according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] [Figure 19] FIG. 19 illustrates another wearable device according to at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] [Figure 20] 20A-D illustrate a wearable device configured to monitor and perform actions of a user, including corresponding characterizations of the monitored actions, in accordance with at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.

[0029] [Figure 21] 21A-C illustrate the use of indicators in a wearable device in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] [Figure 22] FIG. 22 illustrates a method for calibrating strain gauge data and IMU data in accordance with at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.

[0031] [Figure 23] FIG. 23 illustrates a method for generating signals related to electrical parameters and relating those electrical parameters to physical movements of a user of a wearable device disclosed herein in accordance with at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure.

[0032] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set forth herein illustrate, in one aspect, various aspects of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any aspect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in this disclosure and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are representative and exemplary. Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it will be understood that terms such as "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" are terms of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Furthermore, it will be understood that terms such as "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" are terms of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[0034] This application is related to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 947,744, entitled "Deformable Conductors and Associated Sensors, Antennas, and Multiplexing Systems," filed April 6, 2018, and published August 30, 2018 as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0247727. , U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 157,102, "SENSORS WITH DEFORMABLE CONDUCTORS AND SELECTIVE DEFORMATION," filed October 11, 2018, published February 21, 2019 as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0056277; U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 16 / 885,854, "CONTINUOUS INTERCONNECTS BETWEEN HETEROGENEOUS MATERIALS," filed May 28, 2020, published December 3, 2020 as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0381349; U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 893,427, "DEFORMABLE SENSORS WITH SELECTIVE DEFORMATION," filed No. 17 / 192,725, entitled DEFORMABLE INDUCTORS, filed June 4, 2020, published December 3, 2020 as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0386630, and filed March 4, 2021, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0386630; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 2021 / 0280482, filed September 9, 2021; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 263,112, filed October 10, 2021, entitled "TWO DIMENSIONAL MOTION CAPTURE STORING GAUGE SENSOR," the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. It should also be understood that in the following description, terms such as "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," etc. are used for convenience only and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[0036] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or patent records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights disclosed herein.

[0037] There is a growing need for high-precision integration of physical and virtual environments. Indeed, augmented reality and virtual reality, including the Metaverse, are becoming increasingly prevalent and promise to revolutionize the way people work, play, relax, and rehabilitate. However, traditional "smart" accessories (e.g., sleeves, braces, gloves, tight-fitting clothing, etc.) typically rely on sensors such as inertial measurement units ("IMUs"), which are expensive and prone to drift over time, limiting their value proposition. As a result, traditional devices may not provide the precision needed for certain applications where accuracy is critical. For example, the range of motion during flexion of a joint (e.g., knee, elbow) is an important indicator of knee joint health. It would be beneficial for physicians to accurately simulate the full range of motion of a patient's body parts (e.g., legs, arms, shoulders, neck, back, hands, wrists, fingers, ankles, feet, and toes) and track and remotely monitor rehabilitation. If user movements could be tracked with sufficient accuracy, doctors could benefit from more monitoring and patients could enjoy the convenience of virtual appointments and consultations.

[0038] According to another example, the Metaverse promises to offer consumers a variety of virtual products and services. As previously mentioned, conventional devices may lack the accuracy necessary to realize this unprecedented market. For example, many conventional devices rely on relative point-to-point data to obtain a limited approximation of a user's movements (e.g., the relative positions of a user's knees and hips). However, if a user wants to play a virtual game of soccer with a friend in the Metaverse, a more accurate reproduction of the user's movements can enhance the experience. Therefore, there is a need for devices, systems, and methods that accurately simulate a user's movements in a virtual environment. According to some non-limiting aspects, such devices, systems, and methods can use flexible circuits, particularly shape-changeable conductors that can facilitate stretchability and flexibility while maintaining electrical conductivity. As such, electrical parameters measured across these circuits can be correlated with a user's physical movements, enabling accurate simulations.

[0039] While electronic components typically have some degree of inherent flexibility, that flexibility is typically limited both in the amount the component can bend, the ability to recover from the bend, and the number of times the component can be bent before degrading or breaking. Furthermore, electronic components that exhibit stretchability, such as those made with silver or other conductive inks, have poor durability and typically do not fully recover after being stretched. This results in a continued change in their electrical properties until complete failure. As a result, the use of such electronic components in various environments can result in limited reliability and lifespan, or even complete failure.

[0040] However, by using conductive gel in traces within circuits, electronic components can be made flexible, stretchable, and deformable while maintaining elasticity. Furthermore, operational bending, stretching, deformation, or other physical manipulation of conductive traces formed from conductive gel can produce predictable and measurable changes in the trace's electrical properties, with little hysteresis upon returning to a relaxed state. By measuring such changes in the trace's resistance or impedance, the change in trace length can be inferred. By combining the length changes of multiple traces, the relative movement of points on a two-dimensional surface can be calculated. For example, when points are located on a constrained body, such as on the limbs of an articulated body, the two-dimensional displacement information can be used to calculate and determine the relative movement of the points in three-dimensional space.

[0041] According to some non-limiting embodiments, the flexible circuit can be constructed as disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 154,665, filed February 26, 2021, entitled "HIGHLY SUSTAINABLE CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THEM," and / or International Patent Application No. PCT / US2019 / 047731, filed August 22, 2019, entitled "STRUCTURES WITH DEFORMABLE CONDUCTORS," the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0042] Additionally, the traces of the flexible circuit may be comprised of a liquid conductor. As used herein, the term "liquid conductor" is intended to include any of the flexible, deformable conductors described herein and / or any of the flexible, deformable conductors described in any document incorporated by reference. Specifically, "liquid conductors" are described in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2017 / 019762, entitled "LIQUID WIRE," filed February 27, 2017, and published September 8, 2017 as International Patent Publication No. WO2017 / 151523A1, and / or International Patent Application No. PCT / US2019 / 047731, entitled "STRUCTURES WITH DEFORMABLE CONDUCTORS," filed August 22, 2019, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0043] For example, according to certain non-limiting embodiments, each trace can include various forms, such as liquid, paste, gel, and / or powder, that allow the trace to have deformable properties (e.g., soft, flexible, stretchable, bendable, elastic, flowable viscoelastic, Newtonian, non-Newtonian, etc.). According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the shape-changeable conductor can include an electroactive material, such as a deformable conductor made from a conductive gel (e.g., a gallium-indium alloy). The conductive gel can have a shear-thinning composition and, according to certain non-limiting embodiments, can include a mixture of materials in desired ratios. For example, according to one preferred non-limiting aspect, the conductive gel can include a weight percentage of 59.9% to 99.9% eutectic gallium alloy and a weight percentage of 0.1% to about 2.0% gallium oxide. Of course, the present disclosure contemplates other non-limiting embodiments featuring traces of various forms and / or compositions to achieve the advantages disclosed herein.

[0044] The conductive composition can be characterized as a conductive shear thinning gel composition. The conductive compositions described herein can also be characterized as compositions having the properties of a Bingham plastic. For example, the conductive composition can be viscoplastic, such that at low stresses it is rigid and can form and maintain three-dimensional features defined by height and width, but at high stresses it flows as a viscous fluid. According to other non-limiting aspects, the low shear viscosity of useful metal gels is 10 6 ~4x10 7 The viscosity can be in the range of 1,000,000 to 40,000,000 Pa*s (1,000,000 to 40,000,000 Pa*s). Here, "low shear" viscosity refers to the viscosity under static (or sedimentation) conditions. The micro / nanostructures consist of oxide sheets forming cross-linked structures, which can be obtained, for example, by mixing in a way that entrains air into the mixture, or by ultrasonic treatment, which induces cavitation at the surface that draws air into the mixture, so that oxide formation in cross-linked structures can be achieved.

[0045] The flexible circuit and shape-changing conductors can be used to construct various sensors that, when incorporated into a wearable device worn by a user (e.g., a sleeve, a brace, etc.), can generate variable electrical parameters (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, and electromagnetic fields) that can be correlated to physical parameters (e.g., strain, stress, electromagnetic fields, etc.). This can then be used to generate highly accurate simulations of user motion while wearing the device. For example, a wearable device (e.g., a knee brace, an elbow sleeve, etc.) can employ flexible circuits and shape-changing conductors configured to function as sensors (e.g., strain sensors). Shape-changing conductors configured to move with a joint enable the wearable device to actively and accurately monitor joint flexibility over thousands of strain cycles without substantial electrical or physical degradation. Therefore, continuous calibration is not necessary; rather, the flexible circuit can be used to calibrate traditional sensors (e.g., an IMU). Furthermore, a portion of the circuit can be configured to measure strain and, therefore, swelling of a specific location on a patient's appendage (e.g., a shin).

[0046] For example, the circuit described above can be implemented to form a two-dimensional strain sensor using a network of conductive gel traces, whose individual electrical properties are converted into the relative lengths or other orientations of the traces. By combining the electrical properties (e.g., by triangulation or other mathematical processes), the relative positions of various points on a two-dimensional surface can be determined. By repeatedly measuring these electrical properties over time, the movement of the points can be determined, enabling real-time motion capture of the points using the strain sensors. By scaling the network of traces and / or increasing the number and placement of strain sensors on the object, real-time motion capture of the object can be obtained.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 1 , a strain sensor system 100 including a two-dimensional strain sensor 102 is illustrated in accordance with at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure. By way of example, the strain sensor system 100 can be configured similarly to that disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 263,112, filed October 10, 2021, entitled “TWO DIMENSIONAL MOTION CAPTURE STRAIN GAUGE SENSOR,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. According to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 1 , the strain sensor 102 can include multiple traces 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d. While four traces 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d are shown in FIG. 1 , the number of traces can be specifically configured depending on user preference and / or intended application. Each of the traces 104a-104d can be formed of a conductive gel, as disclosed in detail herein. The conductive gel may be disposed on and sealed by the medium 106. Each of the traces 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d may extend between and electrically connect one of the two reference points 108a, 108b and the anchor points 110a, 110b. In the illustrated example, the reference points 108a, 108b are not directly connected to each other, and the anchor points 110a, 110b are not directly connected to each other.

[0048] In particular, the medium 106 and strain sensor 102 may generally be formed according to the techniques described herein or according to other existing or hereafter developed mechanisms, including, but not limited to, injection molding, 3D printing, thermoforming, laser etching, die cutting, etc. The medium 106 may be formed from any one of a B-stage resin film, a C-stage resin film, an adhesive, a thermosetting epoxy-based film, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and / or a silicone, among other suitable compounds or materials. In one embodiment, the medium 106 has a tensile elongation of 550%, a tensile modulus of 5.0 megapascals, a recovery of 95%, a thickness of 100 micrometers, a 90 degree peel strength of at least 1.0 kilonewtons / meter, a dielectric constant of 2.3 at 10 gigahertz, a dissipation factor of 0.0030 at 10 gigahertz, a breakdown voltage of 7.0 kilovolts at a thickness of 80 micrometers, a heat resistance that remains unchanged for 10 cycles at 260° C. in a nitrogen atmosphere, and a chemical resistance that remains unchanged for 24 hours in either NaOH, Na2CO3, or a copper etchant.

[0049] Details of an exemplary medium 106 are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0381349 to Ronay et al., entitled "CONTINUOUS INTERCONNECTS BETWEEN HETEROGENEOUS MATERIALS," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0050] The strain sensor 102 is configured to identify changes in the relative positions of the reference points 108a, 108b based on changes in the impedance / resistance of one or more of the traces 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d. In particular, the strain sensor 102 is configured to determine the relative positions, according to a Cartesian system (x, y), of given reference points 108a, 108b on a plane defined by the medium 106 with respect to two anchor points 110a, 110b to which the reference points 108a, 108b are connected via their associated traces 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d. Thus, for example, the relative position of the reference point 108a can be determined by determining the lengths of the traces 104a and 104b at any given time and / or by determining the relative positions (x, y) of the anchor points 110a, 110b.

[0051] The length of the traces 104a, 104b can be determined as a function of the resistance and / or impedance of a given trace 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d measured between the reference points 108a, 108b and the anchor points 110a, 110b connected by the traces 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d. In the illustrated example, the strain sensor system 100 includes an electronic parameter sensor 112 operably connected to a processor 114. The electronic parameter sensor 112 may be any device configured to detect or otherwise measure an electronic property, such as resistance, capacitance, inductance, etc. Thus, in various examples, the electronic parameter sensor 112 may be an ohmmeter or a resistance signal reader. Furthermore, the electronic parameter sensor 112 and the processor 114 may be separate components or may be integrated. In such an example, the processor 114 may be part of a chipset or package incorporating resistance signal reading and recording functionality. In yet other examples, an analog-to-digital signal processor may be utilized to convert the analog resistance signal to a digital signal, which may be received by the processor 114. In examples where a remote processor is configured to receive signals from the strain sensor 102, a wireless communication component integrated into the sensor may be configured to provide the signals to the processor 114.

[0052] While the illustrated strain sensor system 100 includes an electronic parameter sensor 112 and a processor 114, one or both of the electronic parameter sensor 112 and the processor 114 may be remote from the remainder of the strain sensor system 100 and / or from cloud computing assets, etc. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the electronic parameter sensor 112 and / or the processor 114 may be integrated into the strain sensor 102 itself, as illustrated, or may be components to which the strain sensor 102 is operatively connected. If the processor 114 and / or the electronic parameter sensor 112 are remote from the strain sensor 102, a wireless communication module may be incorporated into the strain sensor 102 to provide data to the electronic parameter sensor 112 and / or the processor 114.

[0053] In various examples, the processor 114 does not require a calibrated or predetermined relationship between the impedances of given traces 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d to determine the relative positions of the reference points 108a, 108b and / or the relative positions of the anchor points 110a, 110b. In such examples, the processor 114 can determine the relative position (x, y) of the reference point 108a on the medium 106 by determining the relative position of the reference point 108a relative to the determined positions (x, y) of each of the anchor points 110a, 110b to which the traces 104a, 104b are connected. In such examples, the position variables x and y of the reference point 108a may be determined by the processor 114 according to the following equations:

number

number

number

number

number

[0054] In the above equation, r is the impedance of a given trace 104a, 104b as measured by electronic parameter sensor 112 and provided to processor 114. By applying the same equation to traces 104c, 104d in the same manner as for reference point 108b, the respective positions of reference points 108a, 108b can be determined. By performing calculations at a relatively high frequency, for example, at least once per second, or at least 15 times per second, or at least 24 times per second, strain sensor system 100 can obtain a real-time determination of the relative positions of reference points 108a, 108b, i.e., the amount and rate of movement of reference points 108a, 108b.

[0055] Although the strain sensor system 100 is described with respect to measuring resistance or impedance, any electrical measurement may be applied on a similar basis. Thus, for example, the traces 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d may have or be configured to have an inductance, capacitance, or other measurable electronic property that may change based on deformation of the trace. Thus, although an electronic parameter sensor 112 is described and illustrated, any electronic instrument configured to detect and measure the relevant electronic property may be utilized in addition to or in place of the electronic parameter sensor 112 in a manner similar to this disclosure. The parameter sensor 112 may include an analog-to-digital signal converter operable to communicate with a processor 114 that may digitally process the signal.

[0056] 2A-2E are depictions of the individual layers of the medium 106 of the strain sensor 102 in an exemplary embodiment. In the example of FIGS. 2A-2E, the strain sensor 102 is a laminated structure in which the individual layers of the medium 106 are separately formed and laminated, and then integrally united to form the entire medium 106. The layers may be formed according to the iterative stencil-in-place process described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 220 / 0066628, entitled "STRUCTURES WITH DEFORMABLE CONDUCTORS," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, or by any other suitable mechanism. However, as noted above, forming the strain sensor 102 as a laminated structure is exemplary and not limiting, and any suitable technique for fabricating the strain sensor 102 can be applied instead of or in addition to fabricating the strain sensor 102 as a laminated structure. The depictions of the layers are viewed along the long axis of the strain sensor 102 and, therefore, are either a top or bottom view of the layer relative to the perspective of FIG. 1.

[0057] 1-4, the sensors 102, 402, flexible circuits, and wearable devices disclosed herein can include one or more substrates attached to a primary material, the one or more substrates being comprised of a flexible, stretchable material such as that disclosed by U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 548 / 379. The disclosure of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 548,379, entitled "STRUCTURES WITH DEFORMABLE CONDUCTORS," filed August 22, 2019, and granted August 10, 2021 as U.S. Patent No. 11,088,063, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Specifically, the one or more substrates can be made from flexible or stretchable materials, such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, flexible plastics, silicone-based materials (e.g., polydimethylsiloxane ("PDMS"), thermoplastic polyurethane ("TPU"), ethylene propylene diene terpolymer ("EPDM"), neoprene, polyethylene terephthalate ("PET"), flexible composite materials, and / or naturally flexible materials such as leather. For example, the one or more substrates can be made from elastic and stretchable materials, such as Lubrizol® Estane® 58000 series (e.g., 58238), among others. The substrate may be made of TPU, which is a flexible material. Alternatively, one or more substrates may be formed from a relatively stiff yet flexible material, such as Lubrizol® Estane® S375D, among others. According to other non-limiting embodiments, the main material of the wearable device itself may comprise any of the flexible and / or stretchable materials described above. The substrate may comprise a multi-layer structure including a substrate layer, a stencil layer, and a sealing layer, although in other non-limiting embodiments, the substrate may comprise a two-layer structure configured to accommodate the deformable traces (e.g., substrate layer, sealing layer, etc.) or may be a single layer.

[0058] 2A is substrate layer 202. Substrate layer 202 is formed from the material of medium 106 and will ultimately have traces 104a, 104b disposed thereon but will otherwise be featureless and may, in various embodiments, be used for insulating and / or encapsulating conductive gel.

[0059] 2B illustrates a first patterned layer 204. The first patterned layer 204 is formed from the material of the medium 106 and includes traces 104a, 104b formed as channels containing, for example, a conductive gel formed in the medium 106. Additionally, a first reference via 206 and a first anchor via 208 are operably connected to the respective traces 104a, 104b and provide electrical access to the traces 104a, 104b through the various layers of the strain sensor 102. The vias 206, 208 may be formed from a conductive gel or any suitable conductor.

[0060] 2C is an insulating layer 210. The insulating layer 210 is formed from the material of the medium 106 and includes a first reference via 206 and a first anchor via 208 extending through the insulating layer 210.

[0061] 2D is a second patterned layer 212. The second patterned layer 212 is formed from the material of the medium 106 and includes traces 104c and 104d formed as channels containing, for example, a conductive gel formed in the medium 106. A first reference via 206 and a first anchor via 208 extend through the second patterned layer 212, and a second reference via 214 and a second anchor via 216 are operatively connected to the traces 104c and 104d.

[0062] 2E is encapsulation layer 218. The encapsulation layer 218 is formed from the material of medium 106 and includes first reference via 206, first anchor via 208, second reference via 214, and second anchor via 216, which are exposed from medium 106 to provide operative connection between strain sensor 102 and electronic parameter sensor 112, as shown in FIG.

[0063] It should be appreciated and understood that the various layers are presented by way of example and not limitation, and that any of a variety of additional or alternative layers may be incorporated into the laminate structure as desired. The laminate structure may incorporate at least one substrate layer onto which a conductive gel is disposed, at least one pattern layer forming at least one trace, and at least one encapsulation layer to encapsulate the trace or other components of the laminate structure. The laminate structure may further include a stencil layer if a stencil fixation manufacturing method is used; conductive layers, such as buses, sensors, ground planes, and shields for relatively high voltage applications; insulating layers, such as, for example, insulating layers between the substrate layer, conductive layers, stencil layers, and / or encapsulation layers, primarily insulating the traces or conductive layers from one another; electronic components, such as, for example, surface mount capacitors, resistors, processors, and the like, not necessarily formed according to the processes disclosed herein; vias for interlayer connections; and contact pads.

[0064] A collection of layers in a laminate structure may be referred to as a "stack." A final or intermediate structure may include at least one unitized stack (or multiple stacks, e.g., using modular construction techniques). Additionally or alternatively, a structure may be comprised of one or more unitized stacks each containing at least one electronic component. A laminate assembly may be comprised of multiple laminate structures, e.g., modular structures. The assembly may use an island architecture that includes a first laminate structure ("island"), which may typically be a laminate structure with electrical components disposed thereon or may be a laminate such as a discrete sensor. The first laminate structure is bonded to a second laminate structure, e.g., including traces and vias configured like a conventional printed circuit board ("PCB"), which, for example, function as a pathway for signals, currents, or potentials to travel between the island and other surrounding structures (e.g., sensors, etc.).

[0065] 3A and 3B are abstract depictions of the traces of strain sensor 102 in a relaxed configuration and a deformed configuration, respectively. Strain sensor 102 is considered to be in a relaxed configuration when no external forces are acting on strain sensor 102, causing strain sensor 102 to deform by stretching, bending, etc. Strain sensor 102 is considered to be in a deformed configuration when an external force is acting on strain sensor 102, causing strain sensor 102 to deform by stretching, bending, etc., resulting in one or more of traces 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d lengthening or shortening relative to their length in the relaxed configuration. While FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrated in a two-dimensional plane, it should be appreciated and understood that the principles described with respect to two dimensions apply equally to three-dimensional strains applied to strain sensor 102.

[0066] In the illustrated example, in the relaxed configuration, traces 104a and 104d are substantially equal in length, e.g., within 5 percent, and therefore have approximately equal resistance or impedance. Similarly, traces 104b and 104c are substantially equal in length and therefore are approximately equal in distance. In this situation, processor 114 determines that the relative (x, y) positions of reference points 108a and 108b are in a relaxed state.

[0067] In the deformed configuration, an external force causes reference point 108a to move relative to reference point 108b. In the illustrated example, the lengths, and therefore the resistance, of traces 104c and 104d are substantially unchanged, and as a result, processor 114 is configured to determine that the strain sensor 102 proximate reference point 108b is not under strain, at least relatively. However, if trace 104a shortens or trace 104b lengthens relative to the lengths of traces 104a and 104b in the relaxed state, then the lengths, and therefore the resistance, of traces 104a and 104b have changed. As a result, processor 114 is configured to determine that the strain sensor 102 proximate reference point 108a is under strain.

[0068] Strain applied to the strain sensor 102 at different locations will result in different deformations of the strain sensor 102, resulting in traces 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d expanding or contracting differently than shown. Additionally, while two traces are shown as having constant lengths, any or all of the traces 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d may change length, which may result in a different measured resistance. Additionally, the strain sensor 102 may be sensitive to multiple forces acting on the strain sensor 102, to the extent that different forces appear at different locations on the strain sensor 102.

[0069] 4 is an abstract depiction of an exemplary aspect of strain sensor 402. In contrast to strain sensor 102, strain sensor 402 includes four reference points 404a, 404b, 404c, and 404d. In such an example, reference points 404c and 404d may function as virtual anchor points for reference points 404a and 404b. As a result, the resistance on trace 406a may be measured from reference point 404a to reference point 404c, and so on.

[0070] The relative position of each of the reference points 404a, 404b, 404c, and 404d is determined by two of the traces 406. For clarity, the traces 406 associated with each of the reference points 404a, 404b, 404c, and 404d are shown with specific dashed lines. Thus, the relative position (x, y) of the reference point 404a is determined based on the resistance of the traces 406a and 406b, and the relative position of the reference point 404c is determined based on the resistance of the traces 406e and 406f. The principles disclosed herein are easily scalable to any number of reference points across any area. The number of inputs to the electronic parameter sensor 112 or ohmmeter can be scaled proportionally with the processing resources of the processor 114.

[0071] It should further be appreciated and understood that the number of traces associated with a given reference point can be expanded based on the available traces. In various examples, the relative position of a reference point may be determined based on three or more traces rather than just two, and the equations described above are expanded to incorporate the additional traces. However, in further examples, additional traces beyond two for each reference point 404 may be treated as redundant traces. Thus, while processor 114 may use only two traces to determine the relative position of a given reference point, if a trace to a reference point 404 becomes broken, processor 114 can use another unbroken trace to determine the relative position of the reference point 404.

[0072] The inclusion of multiple reference points 404 on a strain sensor and / or multiple strain sensors may provide for the creation of real-time three-dimensional models of larger objects. Thus, for example, a wearable device may have traces extending throughout the wearable device, connected to many reference points distributed throughout the wearable device. By periodically determining the relative position of each reference point, the processor 114 can easily create a three-dimensional model of the wearable device based on changes in the relative position of each reference point relative to neighboring reference points. According to some non-limiting embodiments, two-dimensional movement can be monitored via the strain sensor system 100 and associated with a three-dimensional representation. This is done by associating a constrained motion system with known two-dimensional displacement data and calculating three-dimensional displacement from the two-dimensional output of the strain sensor system 100.

[0073] By adapting the strain sensors disclosed herein to various uses, the lengths of the traces may be optimized for the conditions of the wearable device or other article to which the strain sensor is attached. Thus, for example, some traces may be relatively long and have reference points spaced apart in certain locations where strain is not expected (e.g., along the forearm of a sleeve, across the thigh of a knee brace, etc.), while other traces may be relatively short and have reference points spaced apart in locations where strain is expected (e.g., at the elbow of a sleeve, the knee joint of a knee brace, etc.).

[0074] While the sensors in FIGS. 1-4 are described as “strain” sensors, it should be understood that, according to some non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure, the sensors can be used to generate electrical parameters (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, electromagnetic field, etc.) that can be related to other physical parameters (e.g., stress, pressure, dimension, etc.) aside from strain. Thus, by incorporating the flexible circuits and shape-changing conductors described above into a wearable device worn by a user (e.g., a sleeve, brace, etc.), a changing electrical parameter (e.g., inductance, resistance, electromagnetic field, etc.) can be generated that can be related to a physical parameter (e.g., strain, stress, pressure, dimension, etc.). While the sensors in FIGS. 1-4 can be implemented in a wearable device, alternative components (e.g., flexible circuits, electrodes, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, etc.) are useful for integration into wearable devices. For example, various flexible circuits can be implemented to monitor strain along a single axis, as illustrated below.

[0075] According to certain non-limiting embodiments, various sensors, including various sensors comprising various flexible circuits (such as sensors 102, 402 in FIGS. 1-4), can be incorporated into wearable devices, such as those disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 235,937, entitled BIASING ELECTRODES SLEEVES, filed August 23, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 241,806, entitled BRACE WITH INERTIAL MEASUREMENT UNITS, filed September 8, 2021; and / or International Patent Application Publication No. WO2021253050, entitled MULTI-AXIS DIFFERENTIAL STRAIN SENSOR, filed June 11, 2021, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. For example, referring now to FIG. 5, one such electrode 500 is shown in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. According to a non-limiting embodiment of Figure 5, the electrode 500 may be structurally configured for optimized skin contact. The electrode 500 of Figure 5 may be electrically configured to measure muscle responses and / or electrical activity in response to nerve-muscle stimulation, which, in combination with the sensors 102, 402 of Figures 1-4, may be one of and / or contribute to a collective signal used by the processor 114 (Figure 1) to characterize the user's movements while wearing the device.

[0076] Still referring to FIG. 5 , electrode 500 can define a specified diameter D and thickness T so that electrode 500 can be properly integrated into an article in a desired manner. Specifically, diameter D can be dimensioned such that surface 502 of electrode 500, configured to contact a user's skin, provides a sufficient area for a desired sensing capability. Electrode 500 can further include contacts 504 configured to electrically integrate with sensors 102, 402 (FIGS. 1-4) in a circuit in a desired manner so that processor 114 (FIG. 1) can receive signals from sensors 102, 402 (FIGS. 1-4) and electrode 500. Of course, according to other non-limiting embodiments, electrode 500 can be configured in other forms. For example, referring to FIG. 6 , another electrode 600 can have a rectangular configuration with a specifically configured width W and length L that defines a surface 602 with sufficient area to enable a desired sensing capability. Additionally, the electrode 600 of FIG. 6 may again include contacts 604 configured to electrically integrate with the sensor 102, 402 (FIGS. 1-4) in a circuit in a desired manner such that the processor 114 (FIG. 1) can receive signals from the sensor 102, 402 (FIGS. 1-4) and the electrode 600.

[0077] 5 and 6, one of the challenges that the electrodes 500, 600 attempt to solve is obtaining adequate signals from the sensors and / or electrodes in certain use cases and conditions. For example, due to the variety of sizes of body parts that may be contained within a wearable device and the challenge of providing consistent contact with the skin throughout a wide range of motion, varying pressures may result in variable contact quality between some wearers' skin and the electrodes 500, 600. While the exemplary electrode 500, 600 configurations described above can provide data and / or signals capable of monitoring intended activity in a user's muscles or muscle groups, in some limited aspects, there may be a need to improve the interface between the electrodes 500, 600 and the user's skin.

[0078] 7A and 7B, another electrode 700 is shown in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. The electrode 700 of FIGS. 7A and 7B may be configured similarly to the electrode 500 of FIG. 5. However, while the surface 704 of the electrode 700 facing the skin-contacting surface 702 is flat, according to the non-limiting embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the electrode 700 may have a “pellet” shape, meaning that the skin-contacting surface 702 of the electrode 700 may be convex, as defined by a particular radius R and height H. In other words, the electrode 700 of FIGS. 7A and 7B employs a dome-like, spherical, and / or other convex topography to further optimize the skin-contacting area of ​​the surface 702 when incorporated into a wearable device. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the radius R may be sized approximately within a range of 0.25 to 1.75 times, preferably 0.5 to 1.5 times, a major dimension (e.g., diameter D) of the electrode 700. For example, according to one non-limiting embodiment, the electrode 700 can have a diameter D of approximately 13 millimeters, a contact surface radius of curvature R of approximately 11.5 millimeters, and a spherical cap height H of approximately 2 millimeters. In other words, the electrode 700 can have a radius R that is 0.88 times the diameter D of the electrode 700 and falls within a preferred range of 0.50 and 1.50. According to other non-limiting embodiments, the length or width of the electrode can be considered the primary dimension, as described in further detail herein. In other words, the electrode 700 of FIGS. 7A and 7B facilitates a larger area for the skin contraction surface 702.

[0079] Referring now to FIG. 8 , another electrode 800 is shown in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to the electrode 700 of FIGS. 7A and 7B , the electrode 800 of FIG. 8 can have a “pellet” shape, meaning that the skin-contacting surface 802 of the electrode 700 can be convex, as defined by a particular radius R. However, according to a non-limiting aspect of FIG. 8 , a surface 804 of the electrode 800 opposite the skin-contacting surface 802 can be concave, also defined by a particular radius R, thereby defining a “leaf spring” or “cup-like” geometric shape spanning a length L with a flat geometric shape along its width W. The electrode 800 of FIG. 8 can be molded and / or otherwise formed to have a radius of curvature R extending along substantially the entire length L or width W of the sheet, either of which can be considered the major dimension for purposes of determining the desired dimension of the radius R. For example, according to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 8 , the major diameter can be the length L, since the axis of radius R extends along the width W. However, according to other non-limiting embodiments, it may be desirable to extend the radius R longitudinally, in which case the major dimension may be the width W. Unlike the electrode 700 of FIGS. 7A and 7B , the curvature defined by the electrode 800 is hollow and open on multiple sides, with the resulting electrode 800 structure being a wearable device (e.g., a brace, sleeve, etc., as shown in FIGS. 10-12 ). In other words, the structure of the electrode 800 not only increases the area of ​​the skin-contacting surface 802 but also allows the electrode 800 to deform under pressure. Thus, the electrode 800 of FIG. 8 may be configured to apply a biasing force against the wearer's skin in response to a radial compressive force, such as that applied by a wearable device when stretched over a respective portion of the wearer's body. Thus, the electrode 800 may improve the contact quality between the skin-contacting surface 802 and the user's skin and, therefore, may generate more accurate signals and / or data.

[0080] The present disclosure presents an alternative to the “leaf spring” electrode 800 configuration of FIG. 8 . For example, the electrode 900 of FIGS. 9A and 9B can include a skin-contacting surface 902 that is convex, as defined by a particular radius R. However, according to a non-limiting embodiment of FIGS. 9A and 9B , the surface 904 of the electrode 900 opposite the skin-contacting surface 802 can be concave in all directions (e.g., its length and width), as defined by the particular radius R. In other words, the electrode 900 of FIGS. 9A and 9B can define a “dome-like” or “cup-like” shape. Although the electrode 900 of FIGS. 9A and 9B is closed on all sides by a defined dome shape, it is hollow, unlike the electrode 700 of FIGS. 7A and 7B , which can create a “leaf spring” biasing effect. Similar to the electrode of FIG. 8, when incorporated into a brace or sleeve, the flexibility provided by the electrode 900 of FIG. 9, combined with its dome-shaped curvature, creates a spring-like effect under pressure, allowing the electrode to bias against the user's skin, thereby improving the performance of the electrode 900.

[0081] 9A and 9B are merely exemplary, and it should be understood that the present disclosure may include other non-limiting embodiments, including various alternative shapes (e.g., rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, etc.), of any of the electrodes disclosed herein while achieving a similar biasing effect. According to the present disclosure, electrodes of any shape may be configured with protruding geometries similar to the domes of FIGS. 9A and 9B , including various spherical topographies. According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIGS. 9A and 9B , the major dimension of electrode 900 may be diameter D. However, according to other non-limiting embodiments in which electrode 900 includes a square or rectangular shape, either the length or width of the electrode may serve as the major dimension for purposes of calculating the desired radius, as previously disclosed.

[0082] The present disclosure further contemplates non-limiting embodiments in which the electrode biasing effect is provided not only by the electrode structure (e.g., the structure of electrodes 800, 900) but also by the wearable device itself. For example, a fluid-fillable circuit may be incorporated into the wearable device and filled with varying amounts of fluid, thereby expanding the thickness of the wearable device at certain locations and thereby increasing the pressure with which any electrode (e.g., electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 in FIGS. 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, and 9B) contacts the user's skin. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the fluid-fillable circuit may be similar to that described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 272,487, filed October 27, 2021, and entitled "DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING AFLUID-FILLABLE CIRCUITRY," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0083] The electrodes 700, 800, and 900 of FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, and 9B can enhance the reliability and improve the signal quality generated by the electrodes 500, 600 of FIGS. 5 and 6. According to some non-limiting embodiments, a wearable device (e.g., a brace, sleeve, etc.) can include a tubular configuration, so that radial pressure can be applied to the backside of a traditional electrode. This can cause a corresponding deflection of the user's skin at the surface contact between the electrode's contact surface and the user's body. A mismatch or suboptimal combination between the size of the selected brace or sleeve and the size of the wearer's body member can result in an unreliable contact interface between the sensor and the wearer's skin. This can be particularly problematic when the size of the selected brace or sleeve provides a preferred level of fit or comfort for the wearer, but the reliability or consistency of the interface between the wearer's skin and the electrodes is suboptimal. This can be due to a variety of factors, some of which are related. For example, the user's skin may not deflect enough to provide adequate or reliable contact with the sensor, or the brace or sleeve may not generate enough radial force to provide adequate or reliable contact with the sensor.

[0084] The various protruding (e.g., concave, convex, etc.) features illustrated throughout the electrodes 700, 800, 900 of Figures 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, and 9B can provide larger skin-contacting surfaces 702, 802, 902 relative to the skin-contacting surfaces 502, 602 of the more planar or flat electrodes 500, 600 of Figures 5 and 6. This can provide a relatively large skin-contacting surface area, ranging from approximately 100 to 200 square millimeters, according to some non-limiting embodiments. For example, according to some preferred, non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure, the area of ​​the skin-contacting surfaces 702, 802, 902 of Figures 7A, 7B, 8, and 9 may be approximately 145 square millimeters, whereas a planar electrode (e.g., electrode 500 of Figure 5) having a skin-contacting surface defining a similar outer diameter has a surface area of ​​only approximately 133 square millimeters. It will therefore be appreciated that a further advantage of providing the curved skin contact surfaces 702, 802, 902 of Figures 7A, 7B, 8, and 9 is the ability to provide a larger area for a given form factor or "footprint" of the electrodes 700, 800, 900, further improving the accuracy of the signals generated by the electrodes 700, 800, 900.

[0085] 7A, 7B, 8, and 9, the protrusion provided by the curved skin-contacting surfaces 702, 802, 902 relative to the peripheral surface of the wearable device (e.g., a sleeve, brace, etc.) can subtly focus the radial compressive force of the brace on the wearer's skin at the location of the preferred electrodes 700, 800. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the resulting compressive force can increase deflection and improve contact between the sensor and the wearer. As previously mentioned, the various electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 can be integrated with one or more sensors, such as sensors 102, 402 of FIGS. 1-4, into a wearable device. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the electrodes and sensors can be incorporated into the wearable device in a manner disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 235,937, entitled BIASING ELECTRODES SLEEVES, filed August 23, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 241,806, entitled BRACE WITH INERTIAL MEASUREMENT UNITS, filed September 8, 2021, and / or International Patent Application Publication No. WO2021253050, entitled MULTI-AXIS DIFFERENTIAL STRAIN SENSOR, filed June 11, 2021, etc. (the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties into this specification). Some non-limiting examples of wearable devices 1000, 1100, 1200 configured to accommodate electrodes, such as electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 of Figures 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, 9B, and sensors, such as sensors 102, 402 of Figures 1-4, are shown in Figures 10-12. In this manner, electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 can generate an electrical output during use (e.g., for physical therapy, virtual reality applications, etc.) and can be used to monitor and even diagnose conditions affecting muscles at the application site.

[0086] The electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 of Figures 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, and 9B can include advanced active amplifiers and / or filters. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the amplifiers and / or filters of the electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 can be formed on the flexible TPU film of the flexible circuit using a "soft solder" process. Thus, the wearable device can draw voltage from skeletal muscle tissue through the electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 (e.g., dry electrodes), which can be directly attached to the TPU film of the flexible circuit, resulting in a flexible, stretchable, and filament-conformable active circuit. It will be appreciated that, according to some non-limiting embodiments in which the wearable device is an active prosthetic device, the electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 can be configured to control the prosthetic device. In this manner, the electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 can detect pulses in the user's muscles and thus monitor the user's attempts to move muscles, joints, and / or appendages. The flexible circuits and other components disclosed herein can thus compare that data with detected position data (e.g., data generated by an IMU, data generated by strain gauges, etc.) to assess the user's efforts and the results produced by the user's efforts.

[0087] It will be appreciated that, according to certain non-limiting embodiments, the electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 (FIGS. 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, 9B), along with other components disclosed herein, can be used to control a robotic device. For example, the electrodes can monitor a user's efforts, which can be used in combination with detected position data (e.g., data generated by an IMU, data generated by strain gauges, etc.) to not only simulate the user's movements while wearing the joint monitoring sleeve 1500, but also replicate those movements via a connected robotic device that acts as an artificial replica of the user's joints and / or appendages within the joint monitoring sleeve 1500.

[0088] Any of electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 (Figures 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, and 9B) can be formed using a variety of operations, including injection molding, casting, or any other suitable technique, depending on the material used to form the electrode and the desired properties or biasing effect required for the sensor incorporation resulting from incorporation into a wearable device, such as the wearable device seen in Figures 10-12.

[0089] It is further understood that any of the electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 disclosed herein (FIGS. 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, and 9B) can be configured to be dry, wet, and / or passive. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 can employ a conductive gel similar to the shape-changeable conductors described above, as described with reference to the sensors 102 and 402 and flexible circuits of FIGS. 1-4. According to some non-limiting embodiments, a wet configuration is preferred for providing the most reliable signal; however, wet electrodes may be less convenient and / or comfortable for the user over extended periods of use due to the use of conductive gel. Thus, as another non-limiting aspect, dry electrodes can be integrated into wearable devices. According to other non-limiting embodiments, electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 can include flexible, dry silver nanowire configurations embedded in a polymer (e.g., polydimethylsiloxane ("PDMS"), etc.), such as those described in U.S. Application No. 15 / 127,455, filed April 7, 2015, entitled "Electrodes and Sensors Having Nanowires," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, according to other non-limiting embodiments, electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 can include silver and / or silver chloride pellet-type electrodes (e.g., J&J Engineering's SE-12 and SE-13, etc.). Of course, according to still other non-limiting embodiments, various other electrode types can be formed into the configurations of FIGS. 5-9. The foregoing examples are provided for illustrative purposes only.

[0090] 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, and 9B, although configured differently, can be used to collect similar biometric data and signals when incorporated into a wearable device as contemplated herein. For example, according to some non-limiting embodiments, the electrodes can have a circular contact area with a diameter of approximately 8 millimeters (e.g., J&J Engineering's SE-12, etc.). According to other non-limiting embodiments, the electrodes can include a larger diameter of approximately 17 millimeters (e.g., J&J Engineering's SE-13, etc.).

[0091] According to non-limiting embodiments in which electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 (FIGS. 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, and 9B) comprise a silver nanowire-type configuration, various geometric shapes and sizes can be selected, as the present disclosure is not dimensionally limited. For example, according to some preferred embodiments, electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 comprise a silver nanowire-type configuration and define a surface contact area of ​​at least about 20 square millimeters. For example, according to such embodiments, electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 can include a circular contact area having a diameter of about 5 millimeters or a rectangular contact area having a width and length of about 4.5 millimeters. According to other preferred embodiments, electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 can define a contact area of ​​about 130 square millimeters. For example, according to such embodiments, electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 can include a circular contact area having a diameter of approximately 13 millimeters or a rectangular contact area having a width and length of approximately 11.5 millimeters. According to yet other non-limiting embodiments, electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 can define a surface area of ​​up to 900 square millimeters. For example, according to such aspects, electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 can include a circular contact area having a diameter of approximately 34 millimeters or a rectangular contact area having a width and length of approximately 30 millimeters.

[0092] According to some non-limiting aspects, a wearable device (e.g., wearable devices 1000, 1100, 1200 of FIGS. 10-12) can be configured to monitor and / or measure activity of specific muscle groups that require a larger contact area. In such non-limiting embodiments, the contact area of ​​electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 (FIGS. 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, and 9B) can be limited by the available area of ​​the wearable device, which must also take into account any sensors, flexible circuits, and / or additional electronics for generating and processing signals related to physical parameters of the wearable device (e.g., softness, flexibility, stretchability, etc.) and, therefore, electrical parameters that can be associated with movement. Accordingly, it should be understood that the configurations of sensors 102, 402 (FIGS. 1-4), electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 (FIGS. 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, and 9B), and wearable devices 1000, 1100, 1200 (FIGS. 10-12) disclosed herein are exemplary only and are not intended to be limiting. In other words, wearable devices 1000, 1100, 1200 (FIGS. 10-12) and their respective electronic components can be individually tailored to a particular joint or body part of interest.

[0093] 10 , one such wearable device 1000 is shown in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 10 , the wearable device 1000 can be configured as a tubular joint monitoring sleeve defined by a predetermined diameter D. As used herein, the term “joint monitoring sleeve” includes a wearable device configured to monitor the movement of any joint (e.g., knee, elbow, shoulder, wrist, ankle, hip, etc.) and / or appendage (e.g., arm, leg, finger, toe, neck, back, etc.). The diameter D can be specifically configured to allow the joint monitoring sleeve 1000 to be worn around a desired joint and / or appendage. 10 is shown with multiple electrodes 1004, 1006, it should be understood that according to some non-limiting embodiments, the joint monitoring sleeve 1000 can further include sensors (e.g., sensors 102, 402 of FIGS. 1-4) and / or other electronic components (e.g., force sensors, induction coil sensors, temperature sensors, etc.). The electronic components, including the electrodes 1004, 1006, can be electrically connected using flexible circuits comprised of shape-changing conductors, as previously disclosed.

[0094] 10 , any number of electrodes 1004, 1006 integrated on the joint monitoring sleeve 1000 can include any of the configurations described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, and 9. For example, some of the electrodes 1004 can include a rectangular configuration, such as electrodes 600, 800 of FIGS. 6 and 8, and some of the electrodes 1006 can include a circular configuration, such as electrodes 500, 700, and 900 of FIGS. 5, 7A, 7B, 9A, and 9B. Additionally, any of the electrodes 1004, 1006 can include a protruding skin-contacting surface, such as the electrodes of FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, and 9B, thereby providing the electrodes 1004, 1006 with the biasing effect described above. For example, referring now to FIG. 11 , a wearable device 1100 is shown in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. According to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 11 , a wearable device may be configured as a joint monitoring sleeve 1100 and may include at least one electrode 1102 having a configuration similar to electrode 900 of FIGS. 9A and 9B . Similarly, FIG. 12 illustrates another wearable device 1200 configured as a joint monitoring sleeve that includes at least one electrode 1202 having a configuration similar to electrode 800 of FIG. 8 . Accordingly, the joint monitoring sleeves 1000, 1100, 1200 of FIGS. 10-12 may include various electrodes 1004, 1006, 1102, 1202 that, in conjunction with the previously described flexible circuits, shape-changing conductors, sensors 102, 402 ( FIGS. 1-4 ), and other electronics (e.g., ohmmeter 112 and / or processor 114 of FIG. 1 ), may generate electrical parameters that may be related to physical parameters associated with the user's physical movements while wearing the joint monitoring sleeve 1000, 1100, 1200.

[0095] For example, the range of motion of a joint or appendage during flexion can be an important indicator of health, especially when the patient is undergoing rehabilitation. The joint monitoring sleeves 1000, 1100, and 1200 of FIGS. 10-12 utilize electrodes 1004, 1006, 1102, and 1202 and / or additional electronics to actively monitor a patient's flexibility and movement with greater precision. For example, the electrodes 1004, 1006, 1102, and 1202 and / or sensors 102, 402 (FIGS. 1-4) can be implemented via flexible conductors featuring shape-changing conductors (e.g., fluid metal gel traces, etc.), which are uniquely configured to move with the joint. Furthermore, the deformable nature of the conductors employed by such flexible circuits allows the joint monitoring sleeves 1000, 1100, and 1200 to undergo thousands of strain cycles with very limited, or in some non-limiting embodiments, no, degradation. Therefore, no calibration is required to ensure accurate results via the joint monitoring sleeves 1000, 1100, 1200 of Figures 10-12.

[0096] According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the joint monitoring sleeve 1000, 1100, 1200 can further include a pressure sensor positioned at the affected area (e.g., the front of the patient's shin) so that the joint monitoring sleeve 1000, 1100, 1200 can measure swelling at the location of interest. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the pressure sensor can be configured similarly to the strain sensor 102, 402 of FIGS. 1-4. According to other non-limiting aspects, the pressure sensor may include any of the configurations described in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2021 / 071374, entitled WEARABLE ARTICLE WITH FLEXIBLE INDUCTIVE PRESSURE SENSOR, filed September 3, 2021, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 270,589, entitled FLEXIBLE THREE-DIMENSIONAL ELECTRONIC COMPONENT, filed October 22, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 272,487, entitled DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING A FLUID-FILLABLE CIRCUIT, filed October 27, 2021, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties into this specification. Thus, when the induction coil within the sensor is depressed or extended, an electrical parameter generated by the sensor (e.g., electromagnetic inductance) changes and a corresponding signal can be detected by the pressure sensor and transmitted via circuitry to processor 114 (FIG. 1) for characterization of swelling at the affected area. Of course, according to other non-limiting embodiments, alternative pressure sensors (e.g., strain gauges, thin film pressure sensors, variable capacitance pressure sensors, etc.) can be implemented to similar effect.

[0097] In yet another non-limiting embodiment, the joint monitoring sleeve 1000, 1100, 1200 can include a temperature sensor constructed from the aforementioned shape-changeable conductor. Such conductors can deform when exposed to a temperature gradient, resulting in a difference between electrical parameters generated across the circuit. For example, as the temperature at the monitored location changes, the shape-changeable conductor or sealing structure expands or contracts, and a change in the resistance measured by the shape-changeable conductor can be related to this temperature change. Such differences can be processed by the associated processor 114 (FIG. 1) and related to temperature changes in the joint or appendage at the location of the temperature sensor, which can indicate changes in blood flow.

[0098] 13 , a flexible circuit 1300 configured to be integrated into a wearable device is shown in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 13 , the flexible circuit 1300 can include one or more traces 1302 comprised of shape-changing conductors, such as those disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2017 / 019762, entitled LIQUID WIRE, filed February 27, 2017, and published September 8, 2017 as International Patent Publication No. WO2017 / 151523A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The traces 1302 can be deposited on a medium 1303 such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 220 / 0381349, entitled "CONTINUOUS INTERCONNECTS BETWEEN HETEROGENEOUS MATERIALS," filed May 28, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the flexible circuit 1300 can be constructed according to the techniques disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 220 / 0066628, entitled "STRUCTURES WITH DEFORMABLE CONDUCTORS," filed August 22, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, according to certain non-limiting embodiments, the traces 1302 of the strain gauges disclosed herein can be formed of the liquid conductors described above, which can produce a predictable and measurable change in the electrical properties of the traces with little hysteresis when they return to a relaxed state. However, according to other non-limiting aspects, alternative conductors (e.g., silver ink, etc.) may be used that may not exhibit hysteresis (or measurable change in electrical properties) upon returning to a relaxed state after undergoing multiple deformation cycles. As described below, the calibration methods disclosed herein (e.g., method 2200) can increase the accuracy and reliability of flexible circuits that use alternative conductors.

[0099] Still referring to FIG. 13 , the flexible circuit 1300 can further include a processor 1304 electrically connected to at least one IMU 1308 via a serial communication bus 1310 (e.g., an I2C protocol). One or more of the traces 1302 can be specifically configured to form a multi-gauge, low-power, strain gauge 1312 portion of the flexible circuit 1300 electrically connected to a sensor 1306. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the strain gauge 1312 and sensor 1306 can be configured to measure strain across the flexible circuit 1300, similar to the sensors 102, 402 of FIGS. 1-4 . Further, the strain gauge 1312 and sensor 1306. According to some non-limiting embodiments, electrical parameters generated by the strain gauge 1312 can be correlated with IMU data generated by the IMU 1308 as the flexible circuit 1300 moves, and can thereby be used to calibrate the IMU 1308. While the flexible circuit 1300 of FIG. 13 lacks some of the functionality described with reference to the joint monitoring sleeves 1500 and 1600 of FIGS. 15-17, the flexible circuit 1300 of FIG. 13 illustrates an integrated, streamlined circuit that combines at least some functionality onto a single, laminated structure acting as a medium 1303. This can further promote efficiency, affordability, manufacturability, and simplified integration into wearable devices. According to other non-limiting embodiments, a single laminated structure can be used to integrate any of the components and / or functions disclosed herein, including those described with reference to FIGS. 15-17. Thus, according to some non-limiting embodiments, a circuit 1300 structure similar to that of FIG. 13 can provide the aforementioned benefits along with the enhanced functionality of the joint monitoring sleeves 1500 and 1600 of FIGS. 15-17.

[0100] For example, according to a non-limiting embodiment in which the wearable device is configured as a joint monitoring sleeve worn on a user's knee, at least two IMUs 1308 can be positioned on either side of the kneecap, and strain gauges 1312 can be configured to span the kneecap, across a portion of the joint monitoring sleeve between each IMU 1308. Thus, when a user bends their leg with the joint monitoring sleeve worn on their knee, the strain gauges 1312 can measure strain across the user's kneecap as the flexible circuit 1300 expands and contracts from the user's leg movement through various angles. This data can be related to the angular relationship between the calibration points by assuming linear strain measurable by the traces 1302 formed from the shape-changing conductors and accurately correlated to the movement of the body part wearing the joint monitoring sleeve. Furthermore, the IMUs 1308 can add a symbiotic measure of angle, supplementing the strain data by monitoring joint rotation and / or hyper-expansion beyond the setpoints of the strain gauges 1312. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the IMU 1308 itself can include flexible circuit interconnects configured to supplement and / or act in place of the strain gauges 1312, allowing the liquid phase conductors to provide the IMU 1308 with enhanced accuracy compared to conventional IMUs.

[0101] 14A-D, several other flexible circuits 1400, 1420, 1430 are shown in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to the flexible circuit 1300 of FIG. 13, the flexible circuits 1400, 1420, 1430 of FIGS. 14A-D can include one or more traces 1402 formed from a shape-deformable conductor deposited on a medium 1403 and can be constructed according to the techniques disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 220 / 0066628, entitled "STRUCTURES WITH DEFORMABLE CONDUCTOR," filed August 22, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additionally, the flexible circuit 1400 of FIGS. 14A and 14B can further include one or more sensors (e.g., sensors 102, 402 of FIGS. 1-4) and / or other electronic components (e.g., a processor, force sensor, induction coil sensor, temperature sensor, etc., of an IMU). The electronic components, including the electrodes 1004, 1006, can be electrically connected using a flexible circuit configured with shape-changing conductors, as previously disclosed. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the shape-changing conductors can be configured as bus (e.g., bus 1310 in FIG. 13) portions of the flexible circuit 1400 and / or strain gauge (e.g., strain gauge 1312 in FIG. 13) portions of the flexible circuit 1400.

[0102] According to some non-limiting embodiments, the flexible circuit 1400 of FIG. 14A can be configured to interface with various electrodes integrated within the wearable device and electrically connect to other portions of the circuitry 1400, 1420, 1430 located throughout the wearable device.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 14C, according to other non-limiting embodiments, one or more portions 1422 of the flexible circuit 1420 may be configured as a pressure sensor, including any of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2021 / 071374, entitled WEARABLE ARTICLE WITH FLEXIBLE INDUCTIVE PRESSURE SENSOR, filed September 3, 2021, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 270589, entitled FLEXIBLE THREE-DIMENSIONAL ELECTRONIC COMPONENT, filed October 22, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 272,487, entitled DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING A FLUID-FILLABLE CIRCUIT, filed October 27, 2021 (the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties into this specification). 14C , one or more portions 1422 of the flexible circuit 1420 can be configured as a coil that can be biased against a conductive plane integrated within the wearable device (e.g., the conductive plane is mounted on foam, mounted within a bladder filled with a compressible fluid, etc.). As the distance between the conductive plane and the coil of one or more portions 1422 of the flexible circuit 1420 changes, an electrical parameter (e.g., electromagnetic inductance) can be sensed via a capacitor of a resistor, inductor, capacitor ("RLC") circuit, as disclosed, for example, in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2021 / 071374, entitled WEARABLE ARTICLE WITH FLEXIBLE INDUCTIVE PRESSURE SENSOR, filed September 3, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 270,589.Thus, when the inductive coil of one or more portions 1422 of the flexible circuit 1420 is depressed and / or stretched, an electrical parameter (e.g., electromagnetic inductance) generated by that portion 1422 of the flexible circuit 1420 changes, and a signal corresponding to that change can be transmitted via the circuitry to the processor 114 ( FIG. 1 ) for characterization of swelling at the location where the portion 1422 is positioned. In this manner, one or more portions 1422 of the flexible circuit 1420 configured as an inductive pressure sensor can be configured to monitor swelling at specific portions of a joint and / or appendage, as previously disclosed.

[0104] According to a non-limiting embodiment of Figure 14D, the flexible circuit 1430 can be configured for "spot" monitoring at specific locations on the wearable device. For example, the flexible circuit 1430 of Figure 14D can be configured to function as a temperature and / or pressure sensor, for example, to monitor blood flow and / or swelling, as previously disclosed.

[0105] It will be appreciated that the flexible nature of the shape-changing conductor 1402 and the medium 1403 allows the flexible circuits 1400, 1420, 1430 to have a significantly greater degree of flexibility than conventional circuits. For example, according to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 14A , the flexible circuit 1400 is at rest and unstrained. As such, when a current is introduced through the traces formed by the shape-changing conductor 1402, the flexible circuit generates a number of electrical parameters (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, and / or electromagnetic field) that are present in the resting state. However, according to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 14B , the flexible circuit 1400 can essentially be folded in half without creating discontinuities between the traces and / or electronic components, and according to other non-limiting embodiments, it can be coiled and / or twisted. Of course, when the flexible circuit 1400 undergoes such deformation, the electrical parameters generated by the flexible circuit 1400 under varying degrees of stress will differ from those generated by the flexible circuit 1400 at rest. According to some non-limiting embodiments, a flexible circuit 1400 including a liquid conductor can undergo a deformation of 20% to 40% relative to its "rest" state, which changes the electrical parameters generated by the circuit 1400.

[0106] According to a non-limiting aspect, where alternative conductors (e.g., silver ink) are used to form the strain-sensing flexible circuit, such circuits may not exhibit hysteresis and may therefore experience a measurable change in electrical properties as they return to a relaxed state after undergoing multiple deformation cycles. This is known as "strain creep," i.e., a decrease in performance with an increasing number of deformation cycles. According to this aspect, the performance of a strain-sensing flexible circuit 1300 employing such alternative conductors may be improved via the calibration method 2200 (FIG. 22) disclosed herein.

[0107] 14A and 14B, the processor 1404 can receive signals from various sensors and / or components disposed on the flexible circuit 1400, and the processor 1404 can then identify differences in the generated electrical parameters and correlate them to various physical parameters related to deformation of the flexible circuit 1400, as disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 272,487, entitled "DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING A FLUID-FILLABLE CIRCUIT," filed October 27, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In this manner, the flexible circuit 1400 of FIGS. 14A and 14B can be incorporated into a wearable device to accurately monitor and characterize the motion of a user's joints and / or appendages. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the flexible circuit 1400 and / or the wearable device can further include one or more IMUs. In this manner, the generated electrical parameter differences can be correlated to calibrate the IMU data and can be used to supplement and / or calibrate the IMU data as described above.

[0108] 15 , a wearable device 1500 configured to monitor and characterize a user's motion is shown, in accordance with at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure. According to the non-limiting aspect of FIG. 15 , the wearable device 1500 may be configured as a joint monitoring sleeve specifically designed to be worn on a user's knee. However, according to other non-limiting aspects, the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 may alternatively be designed to be worn on any of the user's joints (e.g., knee, elbow, shoulder, wrist, ankle, hip, etc.) and / or appendages (e.g., arm, leg, finger, toe, neck, back, etc.). As shown in FIG. 15 , the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 of FIG. 15 can include a flexible circuit 1400 of FIG. 14A configured to interface with various electrodes (e.g., electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 integrated within the wearable device (e.g., electrodes 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 of FIGS. 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9A, 9B) and electrically connect those electrodes to other portions of circuits 1420, 1501, 1502, 1504 disposed throughout a flexible medium 1506 from which the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 is formed (e.g., elastic, spandex, cotton, and / or other natural and synthetic fibers). According to some non-limiting embodiments, the flexible circuit 1400 can be configured similar to the flexible circuit 1300 of FIG. 13 and can include at least an IMU similar to the IMU island 1308 of the flexible circuit 1300 of FIG. 13 .

[0109] 15 , the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 can further include a pressure-sensing flexible circuit 1420, because, as previously disclosed, the pressure-sensing flexible circuit 1420 can be particularly useful for monitoring swelling in the joint or in any other portion of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 where swelling is particularly problematic. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the pressure-sensing flexible circuit 1420 can be attached to the joint portion 1508 of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 such that the flexible circuit 1420 is generally located at the patella. According to some non-limiting embodiments, instead of using the pressure-sensing flexible circuit 1420 at the patella, a strain gauge sensor 1501 can be placed at the patella for strain-specific monitoring. Alternatively, the flexible circuit 1420 can be configured to monitor uniaxial strain across the joint. For example, the flexible circuit 1420 may generate electrical parameters (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, electromagnetic field, etc.) across the user's thigh from a point above the kneecap to a point below the knee on the user's shin. The electrical parameters generated by the flexible circuit 1420 may then be correlated with physical parameters (e.g., strain, stress, pressure, dimension, etc.) across that joint and used to characterize the user's movements while wearing the joint monitoring sleeve 1500.

[0110] 15, one or more portions of the strain sensing flexible circuit 1501 may include alternative trace configurations, such as longer or otherwise different traces, compared to other portions of the flexible circuit 1501. In this manner, the electrical parameters generated in those portions may be exaggerated relative to those generated in other portions of the circuit 1501, thus allowing for greater responsiveness of the affected area to be monitored.

[0111] As described with reference to FIG. 14C , the flexible circuit 1420 can include one or more portions 1422 of the flexible circuit 1420 configured as a pressure sensor, such as an inductive pressure sensor. According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 15 , the one or more portions 1422 can be positioned just below the patella to monitor swelling in this portion of the knee. Additionally, the one or more portions 1422 of the flexible circuit 1420 can be positioned and / or biased relative to particular features of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 to facilitate pressure measurement. For example, according to some non-limiting embodiments, the articular portion 1508 of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 can include a conductive layer and / or a woven layer including conductive fibers integrated at a distance from the one or more portions 1422 of the flexible circuit 1420 configured as an inductive pressure sensor by a biasing medium (e.g., foam) of known spring constant. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the coil portion 1422 can be adhered to a first layer (e.g., the skin-facing layer) of the brace, and the conductive layer can be integrated (e.g., sewn, glued, woven, etc.) into a second layer (e.g., the outer layer) of the brace. Or vice versa. A biasing material (e.g., foam) of known spring constant can either be integral with the brace or dispersed between the first and second layers. In this manner, pressure can be determined based on the calculated distance between the coil and the conductive layer by relating a measured electrical parameter (e.g., electromagnetic inductance) to the distance between the coil and the conductive layer.

[0112] Additionally and / or alternatively, according to certain non-limiting embodiments, the articular portion 1508 of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 can be reinforced in the manner described below so that one or more portions 1422 of the flexible circuit 1420 configured as an inductive pressure sensor respond solely to swelling of the joint itself without being adversely affected by knee flexion. Thus, according to some preferred embodiments, it may be useful to reinforce one or more portions 1422 of the flexible circuit at the center of the articular portion 1508 of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 so that the one or more portions 1422 of the flexible circuit 1420 are "locked out," i.e., reinforced, against joint flexion, which may affect the distance between the coil and the conductive layer and adversely affect (reducing accuracy) the monitored pressure. Of course, the one or more portions 1422 can be positioned anywhere on the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 according to anatomical needs, user preference, and / or intended use.

[0113] In other words, the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 can have different structures and / or features (e.g., articulation portion 1508) that can mitigate or promote deformation of the flexible circuit at specific locations on the joint monitoring sleeve 1500. For example, fabric properties (e.g., thicker, thinner, less flexible, softer, more cushioned, etc.) can be reduced at specific locations on the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 relative to the locations of specific flexible circuits 1400, 1420, 1501, 1502, and 1504. This can affect deformation and therefore attenuate the electrical parameters generated by those circuits 1400, 1420, 1501, 1502, and 1504. Such features can therefore disable strain detection in some areas where strain sensors are present (e.g., "locking out" the areas of strain sensors on either side of a joint, leaving only the portion extending over the joint free to stretch).

[0114] According to certain non-limiting embodiments, similar features can be utilized to promote comfort in the portions of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 to which the flexible circuit structure is attached. For example, the flexible circuit can be attached to the stiffer portions 1506 or the more flexible portions 1508 of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500, reducing user discomfort because the structural features of the flexible circuit are less apparent to the user during use of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500. For example, such features can be introduced via methods described in U.S. Patent No. 8,898,932, entitled ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR INCORPORATING A KNITTED COMPONENT, filed May 9, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Specifically, U.S. Patent No. 8,898,932 provides exemplary configurations for knitting articles and reinforcing portions of textiles. However, in accordance with the present disclosure, similar techniques can be used to reinforce and / or enhance deformation of particular portions 1506, 1508 of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 to promote desired electrical responses from the flexible circuits 1400, 1420, 1501, 1502, 1504, in addition to promoting user comfort.

[0115] 15, the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 can include another flexible circuit and / or sensor 1504 configured for "spot" monitoring at specific locations on the wearable article. For example, the flexible circuit 1504 can include a temperature sensor, as previously described, and / or can be configured to function as a pressure sensor, for example, to monitor blood flow and / or swelling at specific portions of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the other flexible circuit and / or sensor 1504 can include a temperature sensor. Of course, according to other non-limiting embodiments, the flexible circuit and / or sensor 1504 can include alternative pressure sensors (e.g., strain gauges, thin-film pressure sensors, variable capacitance pressure sensors, etc.) implemented to achieve a similar effect.

[0116] With further reference to FIG. 15 , the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 can further include a third flexible circuit 1501 configured as a strain sensor and electrically connected to an on-board indicator 1502 including one or more light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) configured to illuminate in response to a signal corresponding to an electrical parameter generated by the third flexible circuit 1501. As described in further detail herein, and particularly with reference to the one or more LEDs and / or buttons 1910 in FIGS. 21A-C or 19 , the on-board indicator 1502 can be configured to provide real-time feedback regarding the user's performance during use of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500. However, the one or more LEDs of the indicator 1502 can also allow the user to easily monitor range of flexion in real time. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the on-board indicator 1502 can also be used to guide a patient through range of motion exercises during rehabilitation. Additionally and / or alternatively, the indicator 1502 may, according to some non-limiting embodiments, include more sophisticated displays, tactile sensors, and / or transducers configured to provide more sophisticated visual indications, tactile feedback, and / or audible alerts related to the user's movements while wearing the joint monitoring sleeve 1500.

[0117] Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 15 , the flexible circuits 1400, 1420, 1501, 1502, and 1504 of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 can be electrically connected to a bus architecture similar to the serial communication bus 1310 of FIG. 13 , integrated within the joint monitoring sleeve 1500. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the integrated architecture of the flexible circuit 1300 of FIG. 13 can be implemented to incorporate the components and functionality of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 of FIG. 15 , thereby achieving the efficiency and economic advantages discussed above. According to still other non-limiting embodiments, the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 can include one or more vias configured to vertically stack the circuits on multiple planes, thereby reducing the required material and therefore increasing the elongation of the liquid phase conductors, circuits, and throughput.

[0118] Additionally and / or alternatively, any and / or all of the flexible circuits 1400, 1420, 1502, 1504 of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 of FIG. 15 can be electrically connected to an on-board processor (e.g., processor 114 of FIG. 1) configured to receive and process signals generated throughout the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 disclosed herein and characterize the user's motion based on those signals and subsequent aggregation and correlation. According to other non-limiting aspects, the flexible circuits 1400, 1420, 1502, 1504 of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 can be electrically connected to a remote processor. According to yet other non-limiting aspects, the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 can further include a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit signals to and from the remote processor.

[0119] In yet other non-limiting aspects, the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 includes one such remote processor capable of wirelessly communicating with a mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop, smartphone, smartwatch, smart glasses, etc.) including a transceiver and configured to provide real-time feedback (e.g., visual indicators, audible alerts, tactile feedback, etc.) to the user. According to such aspects, the mobile computing device may further include memory configured to store an application that, when executed by the remote processor, causes the remote processor to generate a simulation of the user's movements based on signals received from the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 and display the simulation via a display of the mobile computing device. According to yet another non-limiting aspect, the application may be configured to guide the user through predefined exercises and provide real-time feedback related to those exercises via components onboard the sleeve 1500 (e.g., speaker, display, tactile activator, etc.) or via alerts (e.g., audible, visual, tactile, etc.) provided remotely from the mobile computing device. According to other non-limiting aspects, the application, when executed by the remote processor, can cause the remote processor of the mobile computing device to transmit real-time feedback via the mobile computing device's transceiver via an on-board indicator (e.g., indicator 1608 in FIG. 16 ) of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500. According to yet other non-limiting aspects, the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 and / or the mobile computing device can be communicatively connected to a remote server configured to store medical data associated with the user of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500.In such embodiments, the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 and / or the mobile computing device may be configured for secure communications (e.g., symmetric encryption, asymmetric encryption, hashing, etc.) to ensure compliance with local healthcare regulations (e.g., the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)).

[0120] Referring now to FIG. 16 , the wearable device 1500 of FIG. 15 is illustrated in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 16 , the flexible circuits 1400, 1420, 1501, 1502, and 1504 of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 are integrated within the joint monitoring sleeve 1500. However, as shown in FIG. 16 , the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 can further include a separate strain monitoring circuit 1612 positioned below the patella monitoring circuit 1604. The separate strain monitoring circuit 1612 can be included in the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 to provide additional monitoring, such as lateral strain in the joint monitoring sleeve 1500. This can also be useful for monitoring the fit and / or swelling of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500.

[0121] 17, the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 of FIGS. 15 and 16 is illustrated in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 17, the joint monitoring sleeve 1500 can include another circuit 1602 configured to be positioned above the knee joint of a user's thigh in conjunction with a flexible circuit 1512 configured to be positioned below the knee joint of a user's shin. At least the first circuit 1602 configured to be positioned above the knee joint of a user's thigh and the second circuit 1612 configured to be positioned below the knee joint of a user's shin can include an IMU similar to the IMU island 1308 of the flexible circuit 1300 of FIG. 13. Accordingly, the first circuit 1602 and the second circuit 1512 can include at least a first IMU 1616 and a second IMU 1618 configured to generate IMU data, respectively. In this manner, the pressure monitoring circuit 1420 can generate electrical parameters (e.g., strain data, etc.) that can be correlated to the IMU data generated by the IMUs 1616, 1618, thereby calibrating the IMUs 1616, 1618, mitigating misalignment and improving the overall accuracy of the joint monitoring sleeve 1500. Of course, the amount of components (e.g., electrodes, sensors, flexible circuits, IMUs, etc.) can vary depending on the particular joint and / or appendage being monitored. A two-IMU configuration makes sense in the non-limiting context of knee monitoring, since the knee has only two planes of motion. However, the specific configuration can vary depending on the joint and / or appendage being monitored. For example, a shoulder has five planes of motion and may require more IMUs with flexible circuits positioned between them to accurately monitor the full range of motion.

[0122] According to certain non-limiting embodiments, calibration of data generated by any combination of electrodes, sensors, flexible circuits, and / or IMUs can be performed according to method 2200 of FIG. 22, as described in further detail herein. Additionally and / or alternatively, image capture data can be used and correlated with data generated by any combination of electrodes, sensors, flexible circuits, and / or IMUs according to method 2400 of FIG. 23, as described in further detail herein. It will be appreciated that method 2400 of FIG. 23 is particularly useful in generating a simulation of a user's movements while wearing the joint monitoring sleeve 1600 of FIG. 16 in a virtual environment using data from the electrodes, sensors, flexible circuits, and / or IMUs disclosed herein.

[0123] 18, another wearable device 1800 configured to monitor and characterize a user's motion is shown, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to the wearable devices 1500 and 1600 of FIGS. 15-17, the wearable device 1800 of FIG. 18 can be configured as a joint monitoring sleeve specifically designed to be worn on a user's knee. However, according to other non-limiting embodiments, the joint monitoring sleeve 1800 may alternatively be designed to be worn on any joint (e.g., knee, elbow, shoulder, wrist, ankle, hip, etc.) and / or appendage (e.g., arm, leg, finger, toe, neck, back, etc.) of the user.

[0124] According to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 18 , the wearable device 1800 can include another flexible circuit 1802 positioned below the patella portion 1812 of the wearable device 1800. According to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 18 , the flexible circuit 1802 can include a more integrated architecture, similar to the flexible circuit 1300 of FIG. 13 . For example, the flexible circuit 1802 of FIG. 18 can include multiple traces 1804 formed from shape-changing conductors and configured to function as a strain sensor, a pressure sensor 1820, a temperature sensor 1818, and an IMU 1806, all attached to the same flexible medium 1801 or substrate. According to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 18 , the integrated flexible circuit 1802 can be electrically connected to the processor 1808, although according to other non-limiting embodiments, the processor 1808 can be integrated on the flexible medium 1801, similar to the processor 1306 of FIG. 13 .

[0125] 18, the joint monitoring sleeve 1800 can further include a bus architecture 1810 similar to the serial communication bus 1310 of FIG. 13 (e.g., according to an I2C protocol, etc.), which may be formed of a shape-changing conductor and integrated within the joint monitoring sleeve 1800, to electrically connect the integrated flexible circuit 1802 to other sensors, circuits, and / or electrodes located elsewhere on the joint monitoring sleeve 1800, such as a strain detection circuit 1816.

[0126] 19, another wearable device 1900 configured to monitor and characterize a user's motion is shown, in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to wearable devices 1500, 1600, and 1800 of FIGS. 15-18, wearable device 1800 of FIG. 18 may be configured as a joint monitoring sleeve specifically designed to be worn on a user's knee. However, it will be understood that, according to other non-limiting embodiments, joint monitoring sleeve 1900 may alternatively be designed to be worn on any joint (e.g., knee, elbow, shoulder, wrist, ankle, hip, etc.) and / or appendage (e.g., arm, leg, finger, toe, neck, back, etc.) of a user.

[0127] According to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 19 , the joint monitoring sleeve 1900 can include a first portion 1902 and a second portion 1904, which can have different material properties to promote or inhibit flexibility of the integrated circuits 1906, 1908 and / or enhance user comfort, as previously described. For example, according to some non-limiting embodiments, the portion 1902 housing the sensors and / or circuits 1906, 1908 can be more flexible than the surrounding portion 1904, which can house various auxiliary non-sensing circuits. As previously described, the sensors and / or circuits 1906, 1908 may be configured to generate electrical parameters that can be correlated to user movement, among other things, and therefore, it may be advantageous for these components to be made more flexible. Accordingly, the surrounding portion 1904 can be reinforced to inhibit flexing of the auxiliary circuitry therein.

[0128] 19 , the joint monitoring sleeve 1900 can include a first circuit 1906 configured to be positioned above the knee joint in the user's thigh and a second circuit 1908 configured to be positioned below the knee joint in the user's shin or calf. Both the first circuit 1906 and the second circuit 1908 can include an IMU similar to the IMU island 1308 of the flexible circuit 1300 of FIG. 13 . A patella monitoring circuit (not shown) can be incorporated within the first portion 1902 of the joint monitoring sleeve 1900 and can generate electrical parameters (e.g., strain data, etc.) that can be correlated to the IMU data generated by the IMUs of the first circuit 1906 and the second circuit 1908. Thus, the patella monitoring circuit (not shown) can calibrate the IMUs 1616, 1618, thereby mitigating drift and improving the overall accuracy of the joint monitoring sleeve 1600. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, calibration of data generated by any combination of electrodes, sensors, flexible circuits, and / or IMUs can be performed according to method 2200 of FIG. 22, as described in further detail herein.

[0129] Additionally, the joint monitoring sleeve can include indicators including one or more LEDs and / or multiple buttons 1910, which can be connected to an internal flexible strain-sensing circuit integrated within the joint monitoring sleeve 1900. In this manner, the LEDs 1910 can illuminate in response to electrical parameters generated by the electrically connected internal flexible strain-sensing circuit. As described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 21A-C , the LEDs (and other indications generated by the indicator via other means) can provide the user with real-time feedback regarding their performance while wearing the joint monitoring sleeve 1900. According to some non-limiting embodiments, shape-changing conductors can be used to create capacitive user input buttons 1910 integrated into the material of the joint monitoring sleeve 1900 that, when touched to the outer surface of the brace in designated areas, can activate functions on the brace to display different sensor outputs on the LCD array 1910. Additionally, capacitive input elements can be used to zero the feedback displayed on the display or record it in memory for later retrieval. The button can be used to record locations of discomfort or activities that cause pain to the end user, such as by adding flags or tags to the data recorded by the on-board memory integrated into the control circuitry of the joint monitoring sleeve 1900.

[0130] 19 , the flexible and / or stretchable nature of the joint monitoring sleeve 1900, specifically the flexibility provided by the shape-changing conductors forming the traces, enables the generation of electrical parameters that can be correlated to physical parameters associated with the user's physical movements. For example, when a user wears the joint monitoring sleeve 1900 and moves their leg, the resulting physical disturbances can be generated in the traces, sensors, flexible circuits, electrodes, and / or other components attached to and / or integrated within portions 1902, 1904 of the joint monitoring sleeve 1900, which can change the electrical parameters (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, electromagnetic field, etc.) generated by the traces and / or other electrical components. The generated electrical parameters can be correlated with each other and / or with baseline data to monitor and / or characterize the user's leg movements while wearing the joint monitoring sleeve 1900. The electrical parameters (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, electromagnetic field, etc.) generated by the joint monitoring sleeve 1900 can be correlated with physical parameters associated with the joint monitoring sleeve 1900 (e.g., strain, stress, pressure, dimension, etc.) and thus can be used to monitor and / or model the movement of the user's leg. Specifically, differences in correlated physical parameters can be used to model the user's leg in a virtual environment.

[0131] 20A-D, a wearable device 2000 configured to monitor and perform user movements, including corresponding characterization 2004 of the monitored movements, is shown in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, a wearable device 2000 configured as a joint monitoring sleeve is shown in a real-world environment 2002. According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIGS. 20A-D, the joint monitoring sleeve 2000 may include a flexible circuit 2001 configured as a strain sensor positioned across the user's knee. However, according to other non-limiting embodiments, the joint monitoring sleeve 2000 may further include any number of electrodes, IMUs, pressure sensors, and / or temperature sensors, as described herein.

[0132] 20A-D further illustrate a generative model 2006 of the joint monitoring sleeve 2000 in the virtual environment 2004. As previously described, the flexible circuit 2001 can generate electrical parameters that deform while the user moves their leg, and the electrical parameters can be used to generate a highly accurate model 2006 of the joint monitoring sleeve 2000 based on correlations as described in methods 2200, 2400 of FIGS. 22 and 24. The model 2006 can be presented along with various widgets 2008, 2010, and 2012 on a display communicatively connected to a processor (e.g., processor 114 of FIG. 1 , processor 1306 of FIG. 13 , processor 1808 of FIG. 18 , a remote processor, etc.). For example, a first widget 2012 can present real-time motion data related to the current state of the user's joint and / or appendage. For example, according to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 20A , the user's leg is being flexed within the joint monitoring sleeve 2000. Thus, the first widget 2012 displays the current hip angle as 29.9 degrees and the current knee angle as 67.3 degrees. The second widget 2008 and the third widget 2010 are past motion data charts and therefore only reflect the current hip and knee angles at the present time, when monitoring and characterization has just begun. Furthermore, the generated user's leg model 2006 reflects the real-time position of the user's leg within the joint monitoring sleeve 2000, with a hip angle of 29.9 degrees and a knee angle of 67.3 degrees.

[0133] 20B, the user extends his leg within the joint monitoring sleeve 2000 in the real environment. Accordingly, the first widget 2012 indicates that the user's current hip angle is 27.2 degrees and the current knee angle is 9.9 degrees, and the model 2006 has been updated to accurately reflect the real-time position of the user's leg within the joint monitoring sleeve 2000 in the virtual environment 2004. Additionally, the second widget 2008 and the third widget 2010 have been updated to reflect changes in the historical motion data monitored and characterized by the joint monitoring sleeve 2000. In FIG. 20C, the user again bends his knee to a hip angle of 33.6 degrees and a knee angle of 63.2 degrees. In the virtual environment, the model 2006 and the first widget 2012 have been updated accordingly to reflect the real-time position of the user's leg within the joint monitoring sleeve 2000. Additionally, the second widget 2008 and the third widget 2010 have been updated, and the real-time position data has been recorded in the history chart.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 20D, the user continues the hip flexion of FIGS. 20A-C several times, as illustrated via the second widget 2008 and the third widget 2010. Aside from the generated model 2006 characterizing the real-time position of the user's leg within the joint monitoring sleeve 2000 in a real-world environment, the second widget 2008 and the third widget 2010 have been updated to reflect a significantly higher resolution sinusoidal-type curve, demonstrating the precision with which the user's movements within the joint monitoring sleeve 2000 can be monitored. Thus, it can be appreciated that by integrating various combinations of flexible circuits, sensors, and / or electronic components into a wearable device, as disclosed herein, highly accurate models of a user's movements can be generated. This provides numerous advantages. For example, according to some non-limiting embodiments, physicians can remotely monitor a patient's rehabilitation, thereby increasing access to high-quality medical care. According to other non-limiting embodiments, the model 2006 of FIGS. 20A-D can be used in virtual reality games and / or other applications, including enhanced metaverse applications. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the model 2006 and / or widgets 2008, 2010, 2012 may be displayed on a mobile computing device.

[0135] 21A-C, the use of an indicator 2100 on a wearable device 2101 is illustrated in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIGS. 21A-C, the indicator 2100 can include a plurality of LEDs 2102 and can be electrically connected to a flexible circuit 2104 configured as a strain gauge. A particular number of the LEDs 2102 can be illuminated in response to electrical parameters (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, electromagnetic field, etc.) generated by the flexible circuit 2104, the electrical parameters correlating to physical parameters of the flexible circuit 2104 (e.g., strain applied by bending the circuit). According to some non-limiting embodiments, the indicator 2100 can include a processor (internal) programmed to illuminate a particular number of the LEDs 2102 from among the plurality of LEDs 2102 in response to particular electrical parameters generated by the flexible circuit 2104 as a result of a physical state of the flexible circuit 2104 (e.g., strain applied by a bending action performed by a user).

[0136] For example, according to a non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 21A , the flexible circuit 2104 is not under significant strain, and therefore only a single LED 2102 of the plurality of LEDs 2102 is illuminated. However, in FIG. 21B , the flexible circuit 2104 is under slightly more strain, and therefore four LEDs 2102 of the plurality of LEDs 2102 are illuminated. According to FIG. 21C , a maximum number of the plurality of LEDs 2102 is illuminated in response to an electrical parameter generated by the flexible circuit 2104 that correlates to the maximum amount of strain applied to the flexible circuit 2104. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the indicator 2100 can further include a more advanced display, tactile sensor, and / or transducer configured to provide more advanced visual indications, tactile feedback, and / or audible alerts related to the user's movements while wearing the joint monitoring sleeve 2101. Thus, the indicator 2100 can provide the user with feedback regarding progress and range of motion. In other words, according to some non-limiting embodiments, the wearable indicator 2100 can also be used to guide the patient in range of motion exercises during rehabilitation.

[0137] 22, a method 2200 for calibrating strain gauge (e.g., strain gauge 1312 of FIG. 13) data and IMU (e.g., IMU 1308 of FIG. 13) data is illustrated in accordance with at least one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 22, the method 2200 may include initializing 2202 a system including a flexible circuit (e.g., flexible circuits 1300, 1400 of FIGS. 13, 14A, and 14B) and an IMU (e.g., IMU 1308 of FIG. 13), and then initiating a calibration sequence 2204 for the IMU. Thereafter, the method 2200 records 2206 strain data from the flexible circuit and records 2208 IMU data from the IMU.

[0138] Steps 2206 and 2208 of recording strain data and recording IMU data are interchangeable, and according to some non-limiting aspects, method 2200 may be used to calibrate strain data to IMU data, as opposed to IMU data being calibrated to strain data. In other words, calibration method 2200 is bidirectional. This may be particularly useful in non-limiting situations where alternate conductors (e.g., silver ink, etc.) are used to form the strain-sensing flexible circuit. Because circuits using alternate conductors may exhibit hysteresis and therefore may undergo measurable changes in electrical properties as they return to a relaxed state after undergoing numerous deformation cycles, it may be necessary to calibrate the strain data with the IMU data to account for "strain creep."

[0139] Once the desired sample size is recorded, method 2200 includes correlating 2210 the recorded strain data with the recorded IMU data and calculating 2212 a misalignment based on the estimated spatial position of the IMU based at least in part on the correlation. Accordingly, method 2200 includes outputting 2216 corrected IMU-dependent information based at least in part on the calculated misalignment. However, according to some non-limiting aspects, method 2200 may further include outputting 2214 strain-dependent information based solely on the strain data logged from the flexible circuit.

[0140] In other words, the measured strain has calibration for multiple angles, and angles between calibration points can be inferred (e.g., by assuming linear strain), which may be generally accurate for both the metal-gel conductor-based strain sensor and the biomechanics of the movement of the body member covered by the wearable device. Adding an IMU adds symbiotic measurement of angles. The strain sensor can be used to calibrate or "rehome" the data from the IMU via method 2200 of FIG. 22. The IMU can also signal motions that add to the strain sensor, such as joint rotation or hyperextension beyond the strain sensor's setpoint.

[0141] Furthermore, as previously discussed, the use of two IMUs placed on different limbs at opposing joints can be implemented to infer limb joint motion and angular position, but has proven unreliable over long-term use due to misalignment of the data provided by the IMUs. Over time, misalignment can result in unreliable datasets because the estimated positions and spatial relationships between the IMUs no longer fall within an acceptable range of their actual positions on the wearer's body. This makes it impossible to understand limb and joint motion, remotely monitor joint health based on data provided by an IMU pair, or remotely administer physical therapy or training for joint rehabilitation.

[0142] However, by adding strain sensors and method 2200 of FIG. 2, the wearable device disclosed herein can not only provide data related to joint position and motion, but also reconfigure the spatial position of the IMU to generate more reliable data or for longer-term use. It may be necessary to use configuration means to baseline the associated strain data and IMU-estimated spatial position data for each wearer of a sleeve equipped with such a sensor configuration. This can be done by having the wearer move the limb or body member included in the sleeve to various different positions and recording a comparison of the IMU-estimated spatial position data with the measured strain. In this way, strain measurements can be used to fix and correct the IMU-estimated spatial position calculated by a processor (e.g., a microcontroller unit (“MCU”)) integrated into the sleeve.

[0143] Typically, IMU calibration is not possible with strain sensors because strain sensors can traditionally measure only very small strains, on the order of micrometers. Such small strains can be smaller than the spatial coordinate displacements estimated by the IMU. However, strain sensors made from shape-changing conductors (e.g., metal gel) can measure strains on the order of centimeters, decimeters, or even larger, depending on the size of the sensor and the elasticity of the substrate used to create the sensor. Therefore, using strain sensors to determine a correction factor for the spatial position displacements estimated by the IMU is of considerable value for wearable electronics, where the translational movement of the IMU as a result of relative body part movement embodies a substantial stretch of the wearable device with the user's body. Substantial stretch can be defined as a linear stretch of 3 millimeters or more. Depending on the application, it can also be defined as a slight stretch of approximately 1 millimeter. In other examples, it may be 5 millimeters, 10 millimeters, or even more, depending on the sleeve's application.

[0144] The principles disclosed above can be applied to a sleeve equipped with a single IMU, providing substantially similar motion information for one limb, finger, or other body member on either side of the wearer's joint. The position of the other limb can be inferred from the strain data. It is useful to pair the brace with a smartphone running a dedicated app to provide additional functionality, such as the ability to record voice notes when recording the affected area position or painful activity, which can later be reviewed by a physical therapist or other medical professional. Furthermore, data can be wirelessly streamed to cloud storage or monitored in real time by individuals in remote locations.

[0145] Referring now to FIG. 23 , a method 2400 for generating signals related to electrical parameters and associating those electrical parameters with physical movements of a user of a wearable device disclosed herein is illustrated, in accordance with at least one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure. According to the non-limiting aspect of FIG. 23 , method 2400 may include performing a first operation 2402 while wearing one of the products disclosed herein. Performing the first operation 2402 can cause one of the flexible circuits to generate a first electrical parameter related to the first movement (e.g., inductance, resistance, voltage drop, capacitance, and electromagnetic field) via any of the trace configurations and / or electrical characteristics disclosed herein. The first movement can be monitored via a camera or any other device capable of generating 2406 motion capture data related to the first movement. Once the electrical parameters and motion capture data related to the first movement are generated, the electrical parameters related to the first movement can be associated 2408 with the motion capture data related to the first movement. The correlation may be stored such that when the first operation is repeated 2410, a processor communicatively connected to the disclosed article receives one or more signals that it can determine to be related to the first electrical parameter. Thus, the processor can generate a virtual replica 2412 of the first operation based on the stored correlation.

[0146] However, the steps illustrated in FIG. 23 are not exclusive of the steps of method 2400 contemplated by the present disclosure. For example, according to certain non-limiting embodiments, method 2400 may further include generating baseline electrical parameters and replicating the steps for a plurality of motions so that a full range of motion can be virtually replicated using the device disclosed herein. According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the method may include an intermediate step of relating the electrical parameters to physical parameters (e.g., strain, stress, pressure, dimensions, etc.) of the device and its circuitry. In certain non-limiting embodiments, relating the electrical parameters to physical parameters may occur in lieu of associating the electrical parameters with motion capture data. Additionally, the method may include receiving and processing input from one or more pressure sensors connected to the article and virtually replicating an interaction between a user of the article and an object in a real environment based on signals received from the one or more pressure sensors.

[0147] Because the inventive principles of this patent disclosure may be varied in arrangement and detail without departing from the inventive concept, such changes and modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the following claims. The use of terms such as "first" and "second" is for the purpose of distinguishing between different elements and does not necessarily imply the presence of multiple elements.

[0148] Conductive compositions, such as conductive gels, comprised in the articles described herein can have a paste-like or gel-like consistency that can be created, for example, by utilizing the structure that gallium oxide can impart to the composition when mixed with a eutectic gallium alloy. When mixed with a eutectic gallium alloy, the gallium oxide can form microstructures or nanostructures, as further described herein, that can alter the bulk material properties of the eutectic gallium alloy.

[0149] As used herein, the term "eutectic" generally refers to a mixture of two or more phases of a composition having the lowest melting point at which the phases simultaneously crystallize from a molten solution. The ratio of the phases to obtain a eutectic is specified by the eutectic point on a phase diagram. One of the characteristics of a eutectic alloy is its sharp melting point.

[0150] In some non-limiting embodiments, the properties of the shape-changeable conductors and / or the properties of the layers surrounding the pattern of the shape-changeable conductors can be adjusted and / or optimized so that the pattern of the shape-changeable conductors recovers shape upon unitization of the surrounding layers. For example, the shape-changeable conductors can be optimized to have a viscosity that allows the shape-changeable conductors to recover shape upon unitization of the layers, but does not excessively deform the shape-changeable conductors to achieve the intended pattern. As another example, the adhesive properties and / or viscosity of the shape-changeable conductors can be optimized so that upon removal of the removable stencil 50, they remain on the substrate layer but do not adhere to the stencil channels 504, 506, thereby lifting the shape-changeable conductors from the substrate layer. In some embodiments, the viscosity of the shape-changeable conductor under high shear (e.g., during operation) can be in the range of about 10 Pascal-seconds (Pa·s) to 500 Pa·s, e.g., in the range of 50 Pa·s to 500 Pa·s, e.g., about 50 Pa·s, about 60 Pa·s, about 70 Pa·s, about 80 Pa·s, about 90 Pa·s, about 100 Pa·s, about 110 Pa·s, about 120 Pa·s, about 130 Pa·s, about 140 Pa·s, about 150 Pa·s, about 160 Pa·s, about 170 Pa·s, about 180 Pa·s, about 190 Pa·s, or about 200 Pa·s. In some embodiments, the viscosity of the shape-changeable conductor can be in the range of 1,000,000 Pa·s to 40,000,000 Pa·s under low shear (e.g., at rest), and / or can be about 10,000,000 Pa·s, about 20,000,000 Pa·s, about 30,000,000 Pa·s, or about 40,000,000 Pa·s. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the micro / nanostructures can include oxide sheets that form cross-linked structures, which can be achieved by mixing in a manner that entrains air into the mixture or by sonication to induce cavitation at the surface that draws air into the mixture so that the oxide forms in cross-linked structures.

[0151] The conductive compositions described herein may have any suitable conductivity, for example, a conductivity of about 2×10 5 S / m~approx. 8×10 5 It can have a conductivity of S / m.

[0152] The conductive compositions described herein can have any suitable melting point, for example, a melting point of about -20°C to about 10°C, about -10°C to about 5°C, about -5°C to about 5°C, or about -5°C to about 0°C.

[0153] The conductive composition can include a mixture of a eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide, the mixture of eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide having a weight percentage (wt%) of eutectic gallium alloy between about 59.9% and about 99.9%, such as between about 67% and about 90%, and a wt% of gallium oxide between about 0.1% and about 2.0%, such as between about 0.2 and about 1%. The conductive composition may have a viscosity of, for example, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about The eutectic gallium alloy may be about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, or more than about 99.9%, and may be about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1.0%, about 1.1%, about 1.2%, about 1.3%, about 1.4%, about 1.5%, about 1.6%, about 1.7%, about 1.8%, about 1.9%, or about 2.0% gallium oxide.

[0154] The eutectic gallium alloy can include gallium-indium or gallium-indium-tin in any element ratio. For example, the eutectic gallium alloy includes gallium and indium. The conductive composition can include any suitable weight percentage of gallium in the gallium-indium alloy, which may be about 40% to about 95%, for example, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%. 1%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, or about 95%.

[0155] The conductive composition can include any suitable weight percent of indium in a gallium-indium alloy, which can be from about 5% to about 60%, such as about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, or about 60%.

[0156] The eutectic gallium alloy can include gallium and tin. For example, the conductive composition can have a weight percent of tin in the alloy of about 0.001% to about 50%, such as about 0.001%, about 0.005%, about 0.01%, about 0.05%, about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.5%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 7 %, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, or about 50%.

[0157] The conductive composition can include one or more fine or submicron-scale particles mixed with a eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide. The particles can be coated with the eutectic gallium alloy or gallium and encapsulated with gallium oxide, or suspended uncoated within the eutectic gallium alloy. The micro- or submicron-scale particles, ranging in size from nanometers to micrometers, can be suspended in the gallium, gallium-indium alloy, or gallium-indium-tin alloy. The particle-to-alloy ratio can be varied to alter the flow characteristics of the conductive composition. Microstructures and nanostructures can be blended into the conductive composition by sonication or other suitable means. The conductive composition can include a colloidal suspension of microstructures and nanostructures within the eutectic gallium alloy / gallium oxide mixture.

[0158] The conductive composition can further include one or more microparticles or submicron-scale particles dispersed within the composition. This can be achieved by any suitable method, including suspending eutectic gallium alloy or gallium-coated particles encapsulated in gallium oxide, or particles that are not coated by the aforementioned methods, within the conductive composition, specifically within a eutectic gallium alloy fluid. These particles range in size from nanometers to micrometers and can be suspended within gallium, gallium-indium alloy, or gallium-indium-tin alloy. The ratio of particles to alloy can be varied, particularly to alter the fluid properties of the alloy and / or conductive composition. Furthermore, the addition of auxiliary materials to the colloidal suspension or eutectic gallium alloy can enhance or modify its physical, electrical, and thermal properties. The distribution of microstructures and nanostructures within the eutectic gallium alloy and / or conductive composition can be achieved by any suitable means, including ultrasonication or other mechanical means, without the addition of particles. In certain embodiments, the one or more microparticles or submicron particles may be mixed with at least one of the eutectic gallium alloy and the conductive composition at a wt% of between about 0.001% and about 40.0%, for example, about 0.001%, about 0.005%, about 0.01%, about 0.05%, about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.5%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, or about 40%.

[0159] The one or more microparticles or submicron particles can be made of any suitable material, including soda glass, silica, borosilicate glass, quartz, copper oxide, silver-coated copper, non-oxidized copper, tungsten, supersaturated tin granules, glass, graphite, silver-coated copper, e.g., silver-coated copper spheres, and silver-coated copper flakes, copper flakes, or copper spheres, or combinations thereof, or any other material that can be wet-processed with at least one of the eutectic gallium alloy and the conductive composition. The one or more microparticles or submicron-scale particles can have any suitable shape, including spheroids, rods, tubes, flakes, plates, cubes, prisms, pyramids, cages, dendrimers, etc. The one or more microparticles or submicron-scale particles may have any suitable size, and may be from about 0.5 microns to about 60 microns, for example, about 0.5 microns, about 0.6 microns, about 0.7 microns, about 0.8 microns, about 0.9 microns, about 1 micron, about 1.5 microns, about 2 microns, about 3 microns, about 4 microns, about 5 microns, about 6 microns, about 7 microns, about 8 microns, about 9 microns, about 10 microns, about 11 microns, about 12 microns, about 13 microns, about 14 microns, about 15 microns, about 16 microns, about 17 microns, about 18 microns, about 19 microns, about 20 microns, about 21 microns, about 22 microns, about 23 microns, about 24 microns, about 25 microns, about 26 microns, about 27 microns, about 28 microns, about 29 microns, about 30 microns, about 31 microns, about 32 microns, The thickness is about 33 microns, about 34 microns, about 35 microns, about 36 microns, about 37 microns, about 38 microns, about 39 microns, about 40 microns, about 41 microns, about 42 microns, about 43 microns, about 44 microns, about 45 microns, about 46 microns, about 47 microns, about 48 microns, about 49 microns, about 50 microns, about 51 microns, about 52 microns, about 53 microns, about 54 microns, about 55 microns, about 56 microns, about 57 microns, about 58 microns, about 59 microns, or about 60 microns.

[0160] The conductive compositions described herein can be produced by any suitable method, including blending a surface oxide formed on the surface of a eutectic gallium alloy into the bulk of the eutectic gallium alloy by shear mixing of the surface oxide / alloy interface. Shear mixing of such compositions can induce a crosslinked microstructure in the surface oxide, thereby forming a conductive shear-thinning gel composition. Within the eutectic gallium alloy / gallium oxide mixture, a colloidal suspension of microstructures can be formed, for example, as gallium oxide particles and / or sheets.

[0161] The surface oxide can be blended in any suitable ratio, for example, between about 59.9% (wt%) and about 99.9% eutectic gallium alloy and between about 0.1% (wt%) and about 2.0% gallium oxide. For example, the weight percent of the gallium alloy blended with the gallium oxide can be, for example, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, about 100%, about 101%, about 102%, about 103%, about 104%, about 105%, about 106%, about 107%, about 108%, about 109%, about 110%, about 111%, about 112%, about 113%, about 114%, about 115%, about 116%, about 117%, about 118%, about 119%, about 120%, about 121%, about 122%, about 123%, about 124%, about 125%, about 126%, about 127%, about 128%, about 129%, about 130%, about 131%, about 132%, about 133%, about 134%, about 135%, about Eutectic gallium alloys include those with a weight percentage of gallium oxide of about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1.0%, about 1.1%, about 1.2%, about 1.3%, about 1.4%, about 1.5%, about 1.6%, about 1.7%, about 1.8%, about 1.9%, and about 2.0%. Eutectic gallium alloys can contain gallium-indium or gallium-indium-tin in any ratio. For example, eutectic gallium alloys can contain gallium and indium.

[0162] For example, the weight percent of gallium in the gallium-indium alloy may be between about 40% and about 95%, such as about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, or about 95%.

[0163] Alternatively, or additionally, the weight percent of indium in the gallium-indium alloy may be between about 5% and about 60%, for example, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27% , about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, or about 60%.

[0164] The eutectic gallium alloy can include gallium, indium, and tin. The weight percent of tin in the gallium-indium-tin alloy can be between about 0.001% and about 50%, for example, about 0.001%, about 0.005%, about 0.01%, about 0.05%, about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.4%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, or about 50%.

[0165] The weight percent of gallium in the gallium-indium-tin alloy may be between about 40% and about 95%, for example, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, about 100%, about 101%, about 102%, about 103%, about 104%, about 105%, about 106%, about 107%, about 108%, about 109%, about 110%, about 111%, about 112%, about 113%, about 114%, about 115%, about 116%, about 117%, about 118%, about 119%, about 120%, about 121%, about 122%, about 123%, about 124%, about 125%, about 126%, about 127%, about 128%, about 3%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, or about 95%.

[0166] The weight percent of indium in the gallium-indium-tin alloy can be between about 5% and about 60%, for example, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28% , about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, or about 60%.

[0167] One or more microparticles or submicron-scale particles can be blended with the eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide. For example, the one or more microparticles or submicron particles can be between about 0.001% and about 40.0% by weight of the microparticles in the composition, such as about 0.001%, about 0.005%, about 0.01%, about 0.05%, about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.5%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, or about 40%. In some aspects, the particles can be soda glass, silica, borosilicate glass, quartz, copper oxide, silver-coated copper, non-oxide copper, tungsten, supersaturated tin granules, glass, graphite, silver-coated copper, e.g., silver-coated copper spheres, silver-coated copper flakes, copper flakes or copper spheres, or combinations thereof, or other materials that can be wetted by gallium. In some embodiments, the one or more microparticles or submicron-scale particles are in the shape of a spheroid, rod, tube, flake, plate, cube, prism, pyramid, cage, or dendrimer.In certain embodiments, the one or more microparticles or submicron-scale particles can be from about 0.5 microns to about 60 microns, e.g., about 0.5 microns, about 0.6 microns, about 0.7 microns, about 0.8 microns, about 0.9 microns, about 1 micron, about 1.5 microns, about 2 microns, about 3 microns, about 4 microns, about 5 microns, about 6 microns, about 7 microns, about 8 microns, about 9 microns, about 10 microns, about 11 microns, about 12 microns, about 13 microns, about 14 microns, about 15 microns, about 16 microns, about 17 microns, about 18 microns, about 19 microns, or the like. about 20 microns, about 21 microns, about 22 microns, about 23 microns, about 24 microns, about 25 microns, about 26 microns, about 27 microns, about 28 microns, about 29 microns, about 30 microns, about 31 microns, about 32 microns, about 33 microns, about 34 microns, about 35 microns, about 36 microns, about 37 microns, about 38 microns, about 39 microns, about 40 microns, about 41 microns, about 42 microns, about 43 microns, about 44 microns, about 45 microns, about 46 microns, about 47 microns, about 48 microns, about 49 microns, about 50 microns, about 51 microns, about 52 microns, about 53 microns, about 54 microns, about 55 microns, about 56 microns, about 57 microns, about 58 microns, about 59 microns, or about 60 microns.

[0168] Some portions of this specification are presented in terms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on data stored as bits or binary digital signals in a machine memory (e.g., computer memory). These algorithms or symbolic representations are examples of techniques used by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. As used herein, an "algorithm" refers to a self-consistent sequence of operations or similar processes leading to a desired result. In this context, algorithms and operations involve physical manipulations of physical quantities. Typically, though not necessarily, such physical quantities can take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, accessed, transferred, connected, compared, or otherwise manipulated by a machine. It is sometimes convenient, primarily for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals using terms such as "data," "content," "bits," "values," "elements," "symbols," "characters," "terms," ​​"numbers," "numerals," or the like. However, these terms are merely convenient labels to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities.

[0169] Unless otherwise indicated, references herein using words such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "presenting," "displaying," and the like may refer to machine (e.g., computer) operations or processes that manipulate or transform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical) quantities in one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or any suitable combination thereof), registers, or other machine components that receive, store, transmit, or display information. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the terms "a" or "an" are used herein, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more instances. Finally, the conjunction "or" as used herein refers to a non-exclusive "or" unless otherwise indicated.

[0170] Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the following numbered sections.

[0171] [1] A system configured to monitor and characterize user behavior, comprising: a tubular body made of an elastic material; a flexible circuit including a liquid conductor configured to generate a first signal; an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") coupled to the elastic material and configured to generate a second signal; a wearable device comprising: a processor communicatively connected to the flexible circuit and the IMU; A system comprising:

[0172] [2] the processor, receiving the first signal from the flexible circuit and the second signal from the IMU; determining a first electrical parameter associated with the flexible circuit based on the first signal; determining a second electrical parameter associated with the IMU based on the second signal; associating the first electrical parameter with a first physical parameter associated with the flexible circuit and associating the second electrical parameter with a second physical parameter associated with the IMU; and configured to generate a model of the wearable device based on the correlation. [1] The system described in [1].

[0173] [3] the processor further comprises: receiving the first signal from the flexible circuit and the second signal from the IMU; determining a first electrical parameter associated with the flexible circuit based on the first signal; determining a second electrical parameter associated with the IMU based on the second signal; Correlating the first electrical parameter associated with the flexible circuit and the second electrical parameter associated with the IMU; modifying the second physical parameter associated with the IMU based on a correlation between the first electrical parameter associated with the flexible circuit and the second electrical parameter associated with the IMU; and updating a model of the wearable device based on the modification. [1] or [2]. The system according to [1] or [2].

[0174] [4] the processor is communicatively connected to the flexible circuit and the IMU via a plurality of conductive traces comprising the liquid phase conductor; The system according to any one of [1] to [3].

[0175] [5] The wearable device further comprises a wireless transmitter; the processor is communicatively coupled to the flexible circuit and the IMU via the wireless transmitter. The system according to any one of [1] to [4].

[0176] [6] The wearable device further comprises a pressure sensor including a liquid-phase conductor. The system according to any one of [1] to [5].

[0177] [7] The system according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the liquid conductor of the pressure sensor is configured as an inductive pressure sensor.

[0178] [8] The wearable device further comprises a temperature sensor. The system according to any one of [1] to [7].

[0179] [9] Further comprising a second IMU connected to the elastic material; the flexible circuit is disposed between the IMU and the second IMU; The system according to any one of [1] to [8].

[0180]

[10] The wearable device is configured as a joint monitoring sleeve configured to be worn on a user's knee. The system according to any one of [1] to [9].

[0181]

[11] When the joint monitoring sleeve is worn on a user, the IMU is positioned around the user's knee, the second IMU is positioned below the user's knee, and the flexible circuit is configured to cross the user's knee. The system according to any one of [1] to

[10] .

[0182]

[12] further comprising an indicator electrically connected to the flexible circuit via a plurality of conductive traces made of the liquid conductor; the indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes ("LEDs") and is configured to illuminate the plurality of LEDs in response to bending of the flexible circuit; The system according to any one of [1] to

[11] .

[0183]

[13] A wearable device configured to monitor a user's movements, comprising: a tubular body made of an elastic material; a flexible circuit including a liquid conductor configured to generate a first signal; an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") coupled to the elastic material and configured to generate a second signal; Equipped with the flexible circuit and the IMU are communicatively connected to a processor via a plurality of conductive traces made of the liquid phase conductor; Wearable devices.

[0184]

[14] the processor is connected to the elastic material; the flexible circuit and the IMU are communicatively connected to the processor via a plurality of conductive traces made of the liquid phase conductor;

[13] A wearable device according to the present invention.

[0185]

[15] The processor: receiving a first signal from the flexible circuit and a second signal from the IMU; determining a first electrical parameter associated with the flexible circuit based on the first signal; determining a second electrical parameter associated with the IMU based on the second signal; associating the first electrical parameter with a first physical parameter associated with the flexible circuit and associating the second electrical parameter with a second physical parameter associated with the IMU; and configured to generate a model of the wearable device based on the correlation. A wearable device according to

[13] or

[14] .

[0186]

[16] Further comprising a pressure sensor including a liquid phase conductor. The wearable device according to any one of

[13] to

[15] .

[0187] The liquid conductor of the pressure sensor is configured as an inductive pressure sensor. The wearable device according to any one of

[13] to

[16] .

[0188]

[18] further comprising a temperature sensor; The wearable device according to any one of

[13] to

[17] .

[0189]

[19] further comprising an indicator electrically connected to the flexible circuit via a plurality of conductive traces made of the liquid conductor; the indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes ("LEDs") and is configured to illuminate the plurality of LEDs in response to bending of the flexible circuit; The wearable device according to any one of

[13] to

[18] .

[0190]

[20] A method for generating a virtual reproduction of a physical movement performed by a user of a wearable device comprising a plurality of flexible circuits, comprising: performing a first action while wearing the wearable device; generating a first electrical parameter associated with the first operation with a first flexible circuit of the plurality of flexible circuits; generating, by a camera, action capture data relating to performance of the first action; Associating the generated motion capture data with the generated first electrical parameter by a processor communicatively coupled to the wearable device; storing the correlation by a memory communicatively coupled to the processor; repeating the first action while wearing the wearable device; and generating, by the processor, a virtual reproduction of the first motion based solely on the stored correlation between the generated motion capture data and the generated first electrical parameter; A method for providing the above.

[0191] All patents, patent applications, publications, or other disclosure materials mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, as if each individual reference were expressly incorporated by reference. All references and any materials, or portions thereof, that are incorporated herein by reference are incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materials do not contradict existing definitions, descriptions, or other disclosure materials set forth in this disclosure. Therefore, to the extent necessary, the disclosure set forth herein supersedes any conflicting materials incorporated herein by reference, and the disclosure expressly set forth in this application takes precedence.

[0192] The present invention has been described with reference to various exemplary and illustrative embodiments. The embodiments described herein are understood to provide illustrative features of various details of the various embodiments of the disclosed invention; thus, unless otherwise specified, to the extent possible, one or more features, elements, components, ingredients, structures, modules, and / or aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined, separated, interchanged, and / or rearranged with one or more other features, elements, components, ingredients, structures, modules, and / or aspects of the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosed invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that various substitutions, modifications, or combinations of any of the exemplary embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain with no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the various embodiments of the invention described herein upon reviewing this specification. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited by the description of the various embodiments, but rather by the scope of the claims.

[0193] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, generally, terms used herein, and particularly in the appended claims (e.g., the body of the appended claims), are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "comprises" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "including" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to," etc.). Those skilled in the art will further understand that if a specific number of introduced claim recitations are intended, such intention will be explicitly set forth in the claim; otherwise, no such intention exists. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims below may use the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce the claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to mean that the introduction of a claim repetition by the indefinite article "a" or "an" limits a particular claim that includes such an introduced claim repetition to claims that include only one such introduced claim repetition, even if the same claim includes the introductory phrase "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should ordinarily be construed to mean "at least one" or "one or more").

[0194] Furthermore, even when a specific number in an introduced claim is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such a recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the recitation "two recitations" without other modifiers typically means at least two recitations, or more than two recitations). Furthermore, when a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, and C" is used, such configuration is generally intended in the sense that those skilled in the art understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" includes, but is not limited to, systems having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). When a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, generally, such configuration is intended in the sense that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" includes, but is not limited to, a system having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). As will be further understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, disjunctive words and / or phrases that typically present two or more alternative terms should be understood to contemplate the possibility of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms, unless the context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase "A or B" is typically understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B," or "A and B."

[0195] With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will understand that the operations recited therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, while the claims are presented in a sequential order, it should be understood that various operations may be performed in orders other than those recited, or may be performed simultaneously. Examples of such alternative orders include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, concurrent, reversed, or other variations, unless the context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms such as past tense adjectives, such as "responsive to" and "related to," are generally not intended to exclude such variations, unless the context dictates otherwise.

[0196] It should be noted that references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," "one exemplary embodiment," etc. mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," "in an example," and "in one example" in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0197] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0198] Directional terms used herein, such as, but not limited to, up, down, left, right, below, over, front, back, and variations thereof, refer to the orientation of the elements as shown in the accompanying drawings and do not limit the scope of the claims, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0199] As used in this disclosure, the term "about" or "approximately," unless otherwise specified, refers to an acceptable error for a particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which depends in part on how the value is measured or determined. In certain embodiments, the term "about" or "approximately" refers to within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations. In certain embodiments, the term "about" or "approximately" refers to within 50%, 200%, 105%, 100%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.05% of a given value or range.

[0200] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, all numerical parameters are understood to be prefaced and modified in all instances by the term "about," where the numerical parameter has the inherent variation inherent in the underlying measurement technique used to determine the numerical value of the parameter. At the very least, and not as a limitation on the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter set forth herein should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0201] Numerical ranges recited herein include all subranges subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of "1 to 100" includes all subranges between (and including) the implied minimum of 1 and the implied maximum of 100, i.e., all subranges having a minimum of 1 or greater and a maximum of 100 or less. Also, all ranges recited herein include the endpoints of the recited range. For example, a range of "1 to 100" includes the endpoints 1 and 100. Every maximum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all subnumerical limitations subsumed therein, and every minimum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all subnumerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, applicants reserve the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to explicitly recite any subranges subsumed within any explicitly recited range. All such ranges are inherently described herein.

[0202] Any patent applications, patents, non-patent publications, or other disclosure materials referred to herein and / or set forth in an Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference to the extent that the incorporated material does not contradict this specification. Therefore, to the extent necessary, the disclosures expressly set forth herein supersede any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, purportedly incorporated herein by reference that contradicts any existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein is incorporated only to the extent that no conflict arises between the incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

[0203] The terms "comprise" (and any form of "comprise", such as "comprises", "comprising"), "have" (and any form of "have", such as "has", "having"), "include" (and any form of "include", such as "includes", "including"), and "contain" (and any form of "contain", such as "contains", "containing") are open-ended linking verbs. Consequently, a system that "comprises", "has", "contains", or "contains" one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Similarly, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that "comprises", "has", "includes", or "contains" one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features.

[0204] The instructions used to program logic to execute the various disclosed aspects can be stored in memory within the system, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), cache, flash memory, or other storage. Additionally, the instructions can be distributed over a network or by other computer-readable media. Thus, a machine-readable medium can include, but is not limited to, any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, it may include a floppy disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a read-only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic or optical card, a flash memory, or a tangible, machine-readable storage device used to transmit information over the Internet via electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). Accordingly, non-transitory computer-readable media includes any type of tangible machine-readable medium suitable for storing or transmitting electronic instructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).

[0205] As used in any aspect of the specification, any reference to a processor or microprocessor can be replaced with any "control circuitry," which can refer to, for example, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry (e.g., a computer processor including, for example, one or more individual instruction processing cores, a processing unit, a processor, a microcontroller, a microcontroller unit, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logic device (PLD), a programmable logic array (PLA), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA)), a state machine circuit, firmware that stores instructions executed by the programmable circuitry, and any combination thereof. The control circuitry, collectively or individually, can be embodied as circuitry that forms part of a larger system, such as, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on a chip (SoC), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a server, a smartphone, etc. Thus, a "control circuit," as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, an electrical circuit having at least one discrete electrical circuit, an electrical circuit having at least one integrated circuit, an electrical circuit having at least one application-specific integrated circuit, an electrical circuit forming a general-purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general-purpose computer configured by a computer program that at least partially executes the processes and / or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program that at least partially executes the processes and / or devices described herein), an electrical circuit forming a memory device (e.g., in the form of random access memory), and / or an electrical circuit forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, a communications switch, or an optoelectronic appliance). Those skilled in the art will understand that the subject matter described herein can be implemented in analog or digital fashion, or some combination thereof.

[0206] As used in any aspect herein, the term "logic" may refer to an app, software, firmware, and / or circuitry configured to perform any of the aforementioned operations. Software may be embodied as a software package, code, instructions, instruction sets, and / or data recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions, instruction sets, and / or data hard-coded (e.g., non-volatile) in a memory device.

[0207] As used in any aspect of this specification, the terms "component," "system," "module," etc. may refer to a computer-related entity that is either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution.

[0208] Unless otherwise specifically stated as is apparent from the foregoing disclosure, throughout the foregoing disclosure, descriptions using terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "displaying," and the like are understood to refer to the operations and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities in the computer system's registers and memory into other data represented as physical quantities in the computer system's memory or registers, or other information storage, transmission, or display device.

[0209] One or more components may be referred to herein as being "configured to," "configurable to," "operable to," "adapted to," "capable to," "adaptable to," etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that unless the context requires otherwise, "configured to" may generally encompass active and / or inactive and / or standby components.

Claims

1. 1. A system configured to monitor and characterize user behavior, comprising: a tubular body made of an elastic material; a flexible circuit including a liquid conductor configured to generate a first signal; an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") coupled to the elastic material and configured to generate a second signal; a wearable device comprising: a processor communicatively connected to the flexible circuit and the IMU; Equipped with The processor: receiving the first signal from the flexible circuit and the second signal from the IMU; determining a first electrical parameter associated with the flexible circuit based on the first signal; determining a second electrical parameter associated with the IMU based on the second signal; Associating the first electrical parameter with a first physical parameter associated with the flexible circuit and associating the second electrical parameter with a second physical parameter associated with the IMU; The system generates a virtual model of the wearable device or at least a portion of the user contained in the wearable device based on these associations.

2. The processor further comprises: receiving the first signal from the flexible circuit and the second signal from the IMU; determining the first electrical parameter associated with the flexible circuit based on the first signal; determining the second electrical parameter associated with the IMU based on the second signal; Correlating the first electrical parameter associated with the flexible circuit and the second electrical parameter associated with the IMU; modifying the second physical parameter associated with the IMU based on an association between the first electrical parameter associated with the flexible circuit and the second electrical parameter associated with the IMU; The system of claim 1 , configured to update the virtual model of the wearable device based on the modifications.

3. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is communicatively connected to the flexible circuit and the IMU via a plurality of conductive traces comprising the liquid phase conductor.

4. the wearable device further comprises a wireless transmitter; The system of claim 2 , wherein the processor is communicatively connected to the flexible circuit and the IMU via the wireless transmitter.

5. 1. A wearable device configured to monitor a user's movements, comprising: a tubular body made of an elastic material; a flexible circuit including a liquid conductor configured to generate a first signal; an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") coupled to the elastic material and configured to generate a second signal; Equipped with the flexible circuit and the IMU are communicatively connected to a processor via a plurality of conductive traces made of the liquid phase conductor; the processor is coupled to the elastic material; the processor receives the first signal from the flexible circuit and the second signal from the IMU; determining a first electrical parameter associated with the flexible circuit based on the first signal; determining a second electrical parameter associated with the IMU based on the second signal; Associating the first electrical parameter with a first physical parameter associated with the flexible circuit and associating the second electrical parameter with a second physical parameter associated with the IMU; The wearable device generates a virtual model of the wearable device or at least a portion of the user contained in the wearable device based on these associations.

6. The wearable device of claim 5 , further comprising a pressure sensor including the liquid-phase conductor.

7. The liquid conductor of the pressure sensor is configured as an inductive pressure sensor. The wearable device of claim 6 .

8. The wearable device of claim 5 , further comprising a temperature sensor.

9. an indicator electrically connected to the flexible circuit via a plurality of conductive traces comprising the liquid conductor; 6. The wearable device of claim 5, wherein the indicator includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes ("LEDs") and is configured to illuminate some of the plurality of LEDs in response to bending of the flexible circuit.

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