Conformal Sensor Device for Curved Biological Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature measurement systems are hindered by the rigidity of electronics, which can impede accurate measurement on softer, more pliable, and curved biological tissues, limiting their effectiveness in monitoring temperature-related health status or environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of conformal sensor devices that can be mounted on surfaces to conform to contours, providing conformal contact and analyzing temperature data to generate parameters based on the degree of contact, with notification components for alerts when thresholds are exceeded or fallen below, allowing for real-time monitoring and regulation of environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional rigid electronics are used for temperature measurement, then the electronic components can be manufactured with standard processes, but the measurement accuracy on curved biological tissues deteriorates due to poor conformal contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible substrates and thin film structures to create electronics that can conform to curved biological surfaces. The sensor device uses flexible circuit boards, stretchable substrates, and thin encapsulation layers that allow the electronics to adapt to the contours of skin and other biological tissues, thereby achieving both manufacturing feasibility and surface conformability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic elements such as stretchable interconnects, expandable circuits, and flexible packaging that allow the electronic device to dynamically adapt its shape and size. These dynamic structures enable the rigid electronic components to function effectively on flexible, moving biological surfaces through mechanisms like serpentine interconnects and buckled substrates
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid electronics are used, then structural stability is maintained, but contact with softer biological tissue is insufficient leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures combining rigid and flexible elements. Examples include rigid sensor elements mounted on flexible substrates, hybrid encapsulation systems with both rigid and compliant layers, and composite interconnect structures that provide both mechanical strength and stretchability, allowing the device to maintain structural integrity while conforming to soft tissues
3Measurement precision
If conformal sensor devices are developed to match surface contours, then measurement accuracy on biological tissues improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conformal sensor device into modular segments including discrete sensor elements, flexible circuit boards, encapsulation layers, and interconnect structures. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing and assembly process of the complex conformal device
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatus and devices are described for monitoring a property of an object or an individual, using a conformal sensor device that substantially conforms to contours of a portion of a surface of the object or the individual. The measurement includes data indicative of a property of a temperature of the portion of the surface and the degree of the conformal contact. An analysis engine is used to analyze the data and to generate at least one parameter indicative of the property of the temperature. Based on a comparison of the at least one parameter to a preset threshold, at least one alert can be issued and/or a command can be transmitted to regulate an environmental condition. The at least one alert can be indicative of a potential risk of harm to the object or individual.