Flexible Sampling Device for Minimally Invasive Biofluid Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transdermal sampling methods cause local irritation and are invasive due to the size of holes made in the skin, leading to inflammation and difficulty in maintaining open channels for extended periods, and they require inflexible silicon substrates that can't achieve close surface contact effectively.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, configurable system that uses a disposable sampling device with multiple thin layers to deform and adhere to the skin, allowing for minimally invasive sampling and analysis of biofluids, and storage of samples for later examination, with the ability to deliver therapeutic agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large holes are made in the stratum corneum for transdermal sampling, then interstitial fluid can be accessed, but local irritation and inflammation occur preventing channel maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the sampling function into multiple micro-scale components: an array of micro-electrodes (each less than 100 micrometers in diameter) arranged in a grid pattern. This segmentation allows fluid access through multiple small points rather than fewer large holes, reducing irritation while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies local quality by creating highly localized sampling zones at each electrode site. Each electrode creates a discrete, controlled access point to the stratum corneum with diameter less than 100 micrometers, concentrating the sampling function in small, non-irritating areas rather than distributing it through large holes
2Manufacturing precision
If inflexible silicon substrates are used for transdermal devices, then manufacturing precision can be achieved, but close surface contact with skin is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a flexible substrate made of thin film material that can conform to the skin's surface topology. This flexible shell maintains the precise electrode array geometry during fabrication while allowing the device to adapt to curved skin surfaces, enabling close contact without compromising manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic, flexible structure that can deform and adapt to the skin surface. The flexible substrate allows the device to change its shape and conform to the contours of the application site, improving surface contact while maintaining the precise relative positioning of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to a system and method that co-locates in a small flexible, configurable system and multi-level substrate sampling, rapid analysis, bio-sample storage and delivery functions to be performed on living tissues or matter obtained from living organisms. The types of the sampling may include chemical, biochemical, biological, thermal, mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical sampling. In general, the analysis performed at the point of sampling measures the sample taken and records its value. The bio-sample storage function encapsulates a small sample of analyte and preserves it for subsequent examination or analysis, either on the organism by the system or at a remote location by an independent analysis system. Once stored, the sample can provide a record of a biological state at the precise time of sampling. The delivery at the point of sampling can include chemical, biochemical, biological, thermal, mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical stimuli.