Flexible Sensor Unit with Segmented Electronics for Hygienic Skin Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor units for detecting body parameters are bulky and pose hygiene issues due to their rigid construction, which makes them uncomfortable and difficult to reuse without risking cross-contamination.
Innovation Solution
A sensor unit with a flexible film sensor and a releasably connected electronics portion, where the film sensor is adhesive-bonded to the skin using a non-cytotoxic adhesive, and the electronics portion is protected by an elastic material, allowing for easy detachment and reuse of the sensor portion while maintaining hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electronics unit is housed in a rigid plastic container for protection, then the sensor unit is protected from environmental influences, but the sensor unit becomes bulky and troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid plastic housing with a flexible membrane made of elastomer or foam material that provides environmental protection while maintaining a compact, comfortable form factor suitable for body attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures, particularly the combination of flexible membrane with integrated electronics and sensor elements, to achieve both protection and compactness simultaneously
2Device complexity
If the sensor unit is designed as a single integrated unit, then the structure is simple, but hygiene problems occur when reusing for different people
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensor unit into separable components: a reusable electronics portion and a disposable sensor portion that contacts the skin. This allows the sensor portion to be discarded after single use, eliminating cross-contamination risks while keeping the electronics portion for repeated use
3Reliability
If the sensor unit uses adhesive bonding to attach to skin, then the sensor unit is securely fixed, but the adhesive may cause cytotoxic effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the adhesive by selecting materials with proven biocompatibility and non-cytotoxic properties, ensuring secure skin attachment without harmful effects
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 results in a compact, comfortable, and hygienic sensor unit that can be easily exchanged, reducing bulkiness and minimizing hygiene risks, while maintaining effective body parameter detection.
Implementation Method 1
The film sensor, preferably the piece of film of the film sensor (at least a portion thereof in each case), may be adhesive bonded to the skin
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor unit for securing to a human or animal body, especially to the skin of the body, having a sensor portion that has a film sensor for measurement of one or more body parameters, having a piece of film that has at least one electrical wire disposed on said piece of film and having a measurement sensor that has electrically conductive connection to said wire and is preferably disposed on said piece of film, and having an electronics portion which is connected, preferably releasably, to said sensor portion and has an electronics unit for operation of said film sensor.