Capacitive Electronic Patch Activation for Battery-Saving Wear Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic patches face challenges in reliability, connection quality, data security, integration of diverse sensor technology, managing real-time measurements, comfort, longevity, and operational readiness, particularly in determining when they are attached to a patient and conserving battery power.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a capacitance sensor that detects attachment to a body by measuring changes in capacitance, allowing the patch to power down to a low-power mode when not in use and activate upon attachment, with a processor managing operational modes including a factory mode, shelf mode, and on-body operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electronic patch remains powered on continuously to ensure operational readiness, then the reliability and responsiveness are improved, but the battery power is depleted faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational readinessVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic patch implements periodic capacitive sensing at predetermined time intervals to detect body proximity. The processor transitions between active and low-power modes periodically, enabling the patch to maintain operational readiness while conserving battery power through intermittent monitoring rather than continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the capacitance sensor is activated continuously to detect body proximity, then the activation reliability is improved, but the battery power is consumed faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitance sensor is energized periodically at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously. The processor activates the sensor, measures capacitance, compares it to a threshold, and then enters low-power mode until the next interval, maintaining detection reliability while significantly reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Speed

If the electronic patch activates immediately upon handling during manufacturing, then the responsiveness is improved, but false activation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation speedVSAvoidfalse activation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a predetermined time interval timer that must elapse before the capacitance sensor can trigger activation. This preliminary time delay allows handling during manufacturing and storage to occur without false activation, while still enabling rapid response once the interval expires and the patch is properly applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Use of energy by moving object

If the electronic patch enters low-power mode to conserve battery, then the power consumption is reduced, but the activation delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power conservationVSAvoidactivation delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The processor balances power conservation and activation speed by implementing periodic sensing at optimized time intervals. The patch enters low-power mode between intervals but wakes up at predetermined times to check for body proximity, achieving a compromise between battery life and responsiveness that prevents both excessive power consumption and unacceptable activation delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

This solution enhances the reliability and longevity of electronic patches by conserving battery power and ensuring timely activation upon attachment, while maintaining operational readiness and reducing handling-induced activation during manufacturing and storage.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitance sensor configured to detect when an electronic patch is attached to a patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3128903B1Method, devices and processor-exectuable instructions for detecting an attachment of an electronic patch

Publication Date: 2021.02.24 PHILIPS HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS INC

Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

An electronic sensor patch includes a capacitive sensor configured to detect when the electronic sensor patch is applied to a patient. A processor may be powered down for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body. The electronic sensor patch may be activated in response to determining that the electronic patch is in close proximity to the body. The capacitance sensor may be used to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body by measuring capacitance of the capacitance sensor, comparing the measured capacitance to a threshold, and determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body in response to the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor being more than the threshold.