Adhesive Sensor Strip Layout for Continuous SSI Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for monitoring surgical site infections (SSIs) are imprecise and cumbersome, and integrating sensors into medical dressings complicates disposal and increases costs due to the need for hazardous waste management.

Innovation Solution

An adhesive sensor strip with a longitudinal extension larger than its lateral extension, comprising sensors for infection monitoring, is used in conjunction with a separate medical dressing, allowing precise sensor placement and prolonged use without interfering with wound healing, and facilitating easy data transmission and dressing changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensors are integrated into medical dressings, then infection monitoring capability is improved, but disposal complexity increases due to hazardous waste classification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfection monitoring capabilityVSAvoiddisposal complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent parts: a reusable sensor strip containing all electronic components and sensors, and a separate disposable medical dressing. This segmentation allows the sensor strip to be reused across multiple patients while only the dressing is discarded, eliminating hazardous waste issues while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic components and sensors are extracted from the medical dressing and placed on a separate adhesive sensor strip. This extraction removes the hazardous elements from the disposable dressing, allowing the dressing to be treated as regular medical waste while the sensor strip is reused and properly managed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If sensors are integrated into medical dressings, then infection monitoring capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfection monitoring capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the expensive sensor strip from the disposable dressing, the system allows bulk manufacturing and reuse of the sensor component, amortizing its cost over multiple uses. The dressing can be manufactured more simply and cheaply without electronic components, reducing overall manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If sensors are integrated into medical dressings, then continuous monitoring is improved, but sensor placement precision becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous monitoringVSAvoidsensor placement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor strip is designed as a separate, flexible component that can be precisely positioned on the skin before the dressing is applied. This allows medical personnel to optimize sensor placement on the sensor strip itself, which then adheres to the skin in the correct position, ensuring accurate monitoring without interfering with wound healing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Duration of action of moving object

If sensors remain on skin for prolonged time, then monitoring continuity is improved, but patient discomfort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring durationVSAvoidpatient discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor strip is designed as a thin, flexible, adhesive component that can remain on the skin for extended periods without causing irritation. The separate dressing can be changed regularly for hygiene while the sensor strip remains in place, providing continuous monitoring without prolonged discomfort from a single dressing change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4674396A1An adhesive sensor strip
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 MOLNLYCKE HEALTH CARE AB
  • EP4674396A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4674396A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4674396A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to adhesive sensor strip (1) for use in conjunction with a medical dressing (2), wherein the sensor strip (1) has a lateral (x) and a longitudinal (y) extension; the lateral (x) extension being larger than the longitudinal (y) extension, wherein the sensor strip (1) comprises a first portion (3) and a second portion (4); the lateral (x) extension of the first portion (3) being from 50 to 350 mm, wherein the lateral (x) extension of the second portion (4) is from 15 to 100 mm, wherein the first portion (3) comprises a plurality of sensors (5a-d) configured to monitor at least one parameter indicative of infection, and wherein the second portion (4) comprises an electrical connector (6) being connected to the plurality of sensors (5a-c) and being configured for connection with a separate processing device The medical dressing also relates to a medical dressing assembly (14) comprising the adhesive sensor strip (1) and a medical dressing (2).