3D Printed Auricular Bio-Signal Device with Multi-Point Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ear-worn devices lack comprehensive multi-point bio-signal acquisition and stimulation capabilities across the entire auricle, leading to unreliable and non-personalized health monitoring and bio-stimulation, with limited spatial characterization and sensitivity to pressure variations.
Innovation Solution
A 3D-printed, personalized auricular device with morphologically complementary artificial ear models and sensing/stimulating electrodes, integrated with a data acquisition unit and bio-signal processor for real-time signal processing and visualization, using bio-compatible and conductive materials for accurate spatial distribution analysis and stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single rigid probe is used for auricular detection, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision and reliability are poor due to sensitivity to pressure variation and inability to capture multi-point signals
Solution Approach 1:
The auricular detection device is segmented into multiple independent detection points distributed across the ear surface, allowing simultaneous multi-point bio-signal acquisition. This segmentation enables precise localization of acupoints and reduces pressure sensitivity by distributing contact points, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring a single complex rigid probe structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system transitions from single-point to multi-dimensional spatial distribution of detection points across the auricle surface. By adding spatial dimensionality with multiple electrodes positioned at different locations, the system captures comprehensive bio-signal information while maintaining structural simplicity through flexible substrate integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional earplug-like or clip-like devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability is poor because they only cover specific regions and cannot achieve full-auricle coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device is designed with universal adaptability to conform to the entire auricle surface, integrating multiple detection functions into a single flexible structure. The device can simultaneously monitor multiple acupoints across different regions of the ear, providing comprehensive coverage without requiring multiple separate devices, thus achieving versatility without proportional increase in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs flexible thin-film substrates that can conform to the complex three-dimensional geometry of the auricle. This flexibility enables the device to adapt to individual anatomical variations and achieve full-auricle coverage while maintaining a simple, lightweight structure that does not require rigid mechanical components.
3Productivity
If manual probe movement is used for detection, then the operation is simple, but the productivity and measurement consistency are low due to time-consuming point-by-point detection and pressure sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system enables continuous simultaneous acquisition of bio-signals from multiple points across the auricle, eliminating the need for sequential manual probe movement. All detection points operate continuously and concurrently, dramatically improving signal acquisition efficiency and productivity while maintaining ease of operation through passive wearable design that requires minimal user intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a personalized, three-dimensional printed, human auricle-specific multiple auricular points' bio-signal acquisition, health status monitoring, and bio-stimulation device, including an artificial ear model made of at least one bio-compatible, flexible polymer, a plurality of sensing and stimulating electrodes with at least one sensing end and a signal acquisition/processing end penetrating through a body of the ear mold conformably with a human auricle so that a surface of the ear mold where sensing end of the electrodes is disposed creates an electrode-human skin interface for bio-signal detection and bio-stimulation responsive thereto. Methods of fabricating the device based on 3-D printing, 3D scanning and modelling techniques and using thereof for bio-signal acquisition, analysis, health status monitoring and bio-stimulation are also provided.