Bio-electrode Sulfonamide Polymer Electrolyte Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bio-electrodes face challenges in maintaining conductivity and biocompatibility over long-term use, often experiencing conductivity loss due to water evaporation or causing skin allergies, and fail to efficiently convert ion concentration changes into electrical signals.
Innovation Solution
A bio-electrode composition incorporating a lithium salt, sodium salt, or ammonium salt of sulfonamide with a fluorosulfonic group and a silicon-containing polymer, combined with a resin and carbon material, to form a conductive and biocompatible skin contact layer that remains effective when wet or dry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrophilic gel containing water and electrolytes is used as electrode material, then conductivity is improved, but water evaporation during drying process causes loss of conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from liquid water-based gel to solid polymer electrolyte, eliminating evaporation while maintaining ionic conductivity through solid-state ion transport mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive precious metals with cost-effective polymer electrolyte materials that provide sufficient conductivity for wearable applications without requiring rare metals
2Reliability
If higher ionization tendency metal such as copper is used to improve conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but skin allergy occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a biocompatible polymer electrolyte as an intermediary layer between the conductive element and skin contact, allowing copper or other metals to be used internally for conductivity while preventing direct skin exposure that causes allergies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining conductive polymer electrolyte with biocompatible properties, integrating both electrical functionality and skin safety in a single material system
3Reliability
If conductive polymer PEDOT-PSS is used to improve conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but strong acidity causes skin allergy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameter by replacing acidic PEDOT-PSS with neutral or biocompatible polymer electrolytes that achieve conductivity through ionic mechanisms rather than acidic conductive polymers
4Reliability
If metal nanowire is used to improve conductivity with small quantity, then conductivity is improved, but pointed thin material causes skin allergy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces metal nanowires with polymer electrolyte materials that provide sufficient conductivity without the sharp, pointed morphology that causes skin penetration and allergic reactions
5Reliability
If carbon nanotube is used to improve conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but material stimulates living body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces carbon nanotubes with polymer electrolyte materials that achieve conductivity through ionic conduction without the rigid, potentially stimulative structure of nanotube materials
6Reliability
If carbon black is used to improve conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but material stimulates skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces carbon black with polymer electrolyte materials that provide conductivity through mobile ions rather than through carbon particle networks, eliminating skin stimulation while maintaining electrical function
7Reliability
If precious metal is used to improve conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but high impedance and high resistance to skin occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses polymer electrolyte as an intermediary conductive layer that provides low impedance interface between metal electrodes and skin, enabling efficient ion-to-electron conversion without the high impedance problems of direct precious metal contact
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
The bio-electrode composition ensures stable conductivity and biocompatibility, preventing skin irritation, and maintains ion conductivity even when exposed to moisture, making it suitable for long-term medical wearable devices.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrophilic gel, containing sodium, potassium, and calcium electrolytes in a hydrophilic polymer containing water, detects changes in ion concentration from the skin to convert the data into electricity
Implementation Method 2
the component (A) has both a repeating unit 'a' of a lithium salt, a sodium salt, a potassium salt, or an ammonium salt of sulfonamide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a bio-electrode that is excellent in conductivity and biocompatibility, is light-weight, can be manufactured at low cost, and can control significant reduction in conductivity even though the bio-electrode is soaked in water or dried. The present invention is accomplished by providing a conductive substrate and a living body contact layer formed on the conductive substrate, where the living body contact layer is a cured product of a bio-electrode composition including an (A) ionic material and a (B) resin other than the component (A), in which the component (A) has both a repeating unit “a” of a lithium salt, a sodium salt, a potassium salt, or an ammonium salt of sulfonamide including a partial structure represented by the following general formula (1) and a repeating unit “b” having a silicon atom, —R1—C(═O)—N−—SO2—Rf1M+(1).