Adhesive Sensor Patch for Continuous Wireless Vital Sign Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring respiratory sounds, cardiac rate, and core temperature in healthcare settings are invasive, require bulky apparatuses, and are not suitable for continuous, unsupervised, wireless measurement, causing patient discomfort and increased risk of infection.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system comprising a stacked structure with thermal and sound sensors, integrated with energy harvesting capabilities, allowing for continuous, wireless monitoring of respiratory sounds, cardiac rate, and core temperature without the need for bulky equipment or constant professional supervision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional monitoring methods (stethoscopes, pulse oximetry, ECG, urinary catheter sensors) are used, then measurement accuracy and clinical reliability are improved, but device complexity, patient discomfort, and infection risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple monitoring functions (respiratory sound detection via microphone, heart rate via ECG electrodes, temperature via thermistor) into a single integrated sensor device. This merging approach maintains comprehensive monitoring capability while reducing the number of separate devices needed, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device is designed as a multi-functional unit that can simultaneously perform respiratory monitoring, cardiac monitoring, and temperature monitoring. This universal design allows one device to replace multiple specialized devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring reliability
2Measurement precision
If traditional monitoring methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requirement for professional handling
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is designed for self-adhesion to the patient's skin using adhesive backing, eliminating the need for professional application. The device automatically begins monitoring upon attachment, with no manual handling or calibration required by healthcare professionals, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision through integrated sensors
3Duration of action of stationary object
If urinary catheter sensors are used for continuous temperature monitoring, then continuity of monitoring is improved, but patient comfort and infection risk worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the invasive urinary catheter and relocates it to a non-invasive external sensor that adheres to the skin. This extraction eliminates the harmful effects of catheter insertion (discomfort, wound risk, infection risk) while maintaining continuous monitoring capability through the external thermistor sensor
4Reliability
If bulky apparatuses are used for continuous monitoring, then measurement reliability is improved, but ease of operation and patient mobility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is constructed as a thin, flexible adhesive patch that can be conformally attached to the patient's skin. This thin-film design eliminates the bulkiness of traditional monitoring equipment, allowing patients to move freely while maintaining reliable sensor contact and continuous monitoring capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables comfortable, continuous, and wireless monitoring of vital signs, reducing patient discomfort and infection risks, while providing precise and integrated measurement of respiratory sounds, heart rate, and temperature, with the ability to detect anomalies and alert caregivers.
Implementation Method 1
a second layer (122) of an insulating material and placed on top of the first layer (104), a first temperature sensor (110) in thermal connection with the first layer (104) via the second layer (122)
Implementation Method 2
a sound sensor (129) located on a third layer in the bottom of a cut out in the first and second layer, forming a cavity for sound to more optimally travel to the sound sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for continuous readout is provided. The object of the invention is achieved by a contact surface for attaching to a surface of an organism, a sensor system in thermal, mechanical and electrical contact with the contact surface, a radio chip operatively connected to the sensor, wherein the radio chip will respond to an induced signal from a reader by reading data from the sensor and transmit said data, and method for operating the sensor wherein the data from the sensor system is compensated for environmental effects using comprising a second sensor for detecting at least one property from the group comprising ambient temperature, pressure, flow, level, proximity, displacement, bio, image, gas, chemical, acceleration, orientation, humidity, moisture, impedance, capacitance, force, electric, magnetic and mass, thus forming compensated data.