Flexible Hydration Sensor Using Thermal Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring skin hydration are limited by the use of bulky, expensive, and rigid instruments that are difficult to use repeatably, and are sensitive to environmental fluctuations, making them unsuitable for practical, non-invasive skin hydration monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A wireless hydration sensor with a flexible structure and a thermal actuator that uses a Bluetooth Low Energy system to measure transient temperature changes, allowing for soft, intimate contact with the skin and providing accurate, quantitative hydration level measurements of both the epidermis and dermis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional TEWL instruments and skin capacitance methods are used, then measurement capability is provided, but device size becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible, thin-film sensor structure that can be directly applied to the skin surface. The sensor uses a flexible substrate with integrated thermal actuators and temperature sensors, eliminating the need for bulky rigid instruments while maintaining measurement capability through direct thermal coupling with the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement systems (TEWL instruments, capacitance devices) with a thermal-based measurement system. By using thermal actuators and temperature sensors to measure thermal transport properties, the system achieves skin hydration assessment without requiring the bulky mechanical structures of conventional devices.
2Measurement precision
If traditional skin capacitance methods are used, then hydration assessment is provided, but sensitivity to environmental fluctuations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor both the skin temperature and ambient temperature. The system uses feedback control to compensate for environmental temperature variations, adjusting measurements in real-time to maintain accuracy despite changes in ambient conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures thermal transport properties (thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity) rather than relying on electrical properties that are sensitive to environmental factors. By changing the measurement parameter from electrical capacitance to thermal properties, the system reduces sensitivity to ambient temperature fluctuations while maintaining hydration assessment capability.
3Measurement precision
If rigid instruments are used for skin hydration measurement, then measurement function is achieved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sensor can be easily applied to various body locations and maintains good thermal contact even when the user moves or performs daily activities. This flexibility ensures consistent, repeatable measurements without requiring the user to manually position rigid instruments, significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is designed to be self-adhering to the skin surface through its flexible substrate and adhesive layers, eliminating the need for complex positioning mechanisms or manual alignment procedures. The system automatically maintains optimal thermal contact, making it easy to use repeatedly without technical expertise.
4Productivity
If thermal actuator and sensing circuit are integrated, then measurement speed increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the thermal actuator and temperature sensing circuit into a single unified sensor structure. The thermal actuator serves dual purposes: it heats the skin for measurement and also serves as part of the thermal coupling system. The sensing circuit is integrated directly into the flexible substrate, enabling rapid measurements while distributing complexity across multiple simple, modular components rather than requiring a single complex system.
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 solution enables high-speed, robust, and long-range automated measurements of skin hydration with high repeatability and insensitivity to ambient temperature fluctuations, supporting the characterization of skin barrier function and the assessment of skin diseases, and the evaluation of cosmetic and medication efficacy in both clinical and home settings.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal actuator operably disposed on the target area of interest of the skin for heating the target area of interest
Implementation Method 2
a sensing circuit for simultaneously detecting a transient temperature change (ΔT) thereof to determine thermal properties of the skin
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hydration sensor comprising a sensing module operably disposed on a target area of interest of skin of a living subject for detecting data associated with thermal properties of the skin; and a wireless platform coupled with the sensing module for wireless data transmission between the sensing module and an external device. The sensing module comprises a thermal actuator for operably heating the target area of interest thereof; and a sensing circuit for simultaneously detecting a transient temperature change thereof to determine thermal properties of the skin.