Artificial Capillary Bio-Patch for Continuous Blood Assays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for blood analysis require drawing samples from a person in a clinic setting and sending them to a laboratory, which is inconvenient and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A wearable patch with artificial capillaries that allows continuous blood flow through input and output needles, integrated with an assay component to perform analyses directly on the user's blood, and includes a communication interface for real-time results notification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If blood samples are drawn in a clinic setting and sent to a laboratory, then accurate health analysis is achieved, but the process is inconvenient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of blood samplingVSAvoidtime for sample analysis

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the blood analysis function from the centralized laboratory setting and places it into a portable wearable patch device that can be used at the patient's location. The assay component is miniaturized and integrated into the patch, allowing blood sampling and analysis to occur outside the traditional clinic-laboratory workflow, thereby improving convenience and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wearable patch integrates multiple functions into a single device: it includes needle assembly for blood collection, flow assembly for continuous blood delivery, assay component for analysis, and communication interface for result transmission. This multi-functional integration allows the device to perform complete blood analysis workflows portably, eliminating the need for separate clinic visits and laboratory processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If continuous blood flow is provided through input and output needles, then continuous blood sampling is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood sampling rateVSAvoidcomplexity of flow assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: input needle for blood collection, flow path for blood transport, and output needle for blood return. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the continuous blood flow system to achieve high productivity through modular design rather than a single complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of time

If assay component is integrated into the patch, then immediate analysis is achieved, but the patch structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime for analysis resultVSAvoidcomplexity of patch structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the assay component directly with the patch structure, integrating the analysis function into the same device housing that contains the blood collection and flow management components. This consolidation enables immediate analysis of collected blood samples without external laboratory equipment, achieving rapid results while managing structural complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Loss of information

If communication interface is added for real-time notification, then immediate result delivery is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of result notificationVSAvoidcomplexity of interface component

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication interface acts as an intermediary between the assay component and external devices (such as smartphones or medical monitoring systems). It receives assay results and transmits them wirelessly or via wired connection to external platforms, enabling real-time result notification without requiring complex internal processing within the patch itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 continuous blood sampling and analysis at the user's location, providing immediate health monitoring and results through a wearable device.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the one or more input needles and one or more output needles is configured to interface with a respective capillary in a tissue of the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS12478326B2Bio-patch having artificial capillaries to provide continuous blood flow

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 LIFE PATCH INT

AI summary

In some embodiments, a wearable patch can include a patch structure having one or more layers and configured to allow the patch to be worn by a user. The patch can further include an assay component implemented on or at least partially within the patch structure, and configured to obtain a blood sample of the user and perform an assay on the blood sample. The patch can further include a flow assembly having one or more input needles in communication with the assay component and one or more output needles in communication with the assay component to provide a continuous flow of blood for the assay component to thereby allow the blood sample to be obtained by the assay component. Each of the one or more input needles and one or more output needles can be configured to interface with a respective capillary in a tissue of the user.