Flexible Transcutaneous Oxygen Sensor with Heated Skin Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure sensors are unable to accurately measure oxygen levels due to their invasive nature, low accuracy, and inability to consistently deliver oxygen to the skin, making it difficult to determine disease severity and requiring repeated measurements.
Innovation Solution
A flexible transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure sensor with a micro-light emitting diode (LED) light source, a heater portion to increase skin temperature, and an oxygen sensing film containing a polymer matrix and phosphor, which enhances blood flow and oxygen delivery, allowing for repeated and accurate measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional oximetry-based measurement method is used, then the measurement is non-invasive and simple, but the accuracy is low (±1-2%) and cannot accurately represent tissue oxygen partial pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from indirect hemoglobin oxygen saturation to direct tissue oxygen partial pressure by using a heater portion to raise skin temperature to 40-45°C, which increases oxygen diffusion through the epidermis and enables accurate TCPO2 measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heater portion as an intermediary element that mediates between the sensor and skin tissue, providing thermal energy to enhance oxygen delivery and enable accurate non-invasive measurements without direct tissue invasion
2Reliability
If conventional sensor is used, then the structure is simple, but it fails to deliver sufficient oxygen to the sensor through the epidermal layer, resulting in lower than expected measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary heating action before measurement to raise skin temperature and increase oxygen diffusion rate through the epidermis, ensuring sufficient oxygen delivery to the sensor for reliable measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameter of the skin by heating it to 40-45°C, which fundamentally alters the oxygen diffusion characteristics and enables reliable oxygen delivery through the epidermal layer
3Measurement precision
If invasive measurement method is used, then the measurement accuracy may be improved, but it causes pain and cannot be used repeatedly for long time
Solution Approach 1:
The heater portion acts as a benign intermediary that creates favorable conditions for non-invasive measurement by enhancing oxygen diffusion, eliminating the need for invasive procedures while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the skin temperature parameter, the patent transforms the measurement environment to enable accurate non-invasive oxygen partial pressure measurement, avoiding all harmful effects of invasive methods
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 sensor provides highly reliable and accurate oxygen partial pressure measurements by increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skin, enabling long-term use and improved disease assessment.
Implementation Method 1
the heater portion may include a transparent conductor generating Joule heat
Implementation Method 2
a light emitting portion which is positioned above a surface opposite to the one surface of the oxygen sensing film and includes a micro-light emitting diode (LED (μ-LED))
Implementation Method 3
a light-receiving portion which includes an organic-photodiode (OPD)
Implementation Method 4
an oxygen sensing film having one surface in contact with a skin
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a flexible transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure sensor which may be closely attached to a skin, be used repeatedly for a long time, and have a highly reliable measurement value.The flexible transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure sensor of the present disclosure includes: an oxygen sensing film having one surface in contact with a skin; a light detecting portion including a light emitting portion which is positioned above a surface opposite to the one surface of the oxygen sensing film and includes a micro-light emitting diode (LED (μ-LED)), and a light-receiving portion which includes an organic-photodiode (OPD); and a heater portion positioned between the oxygen sensing film and the light detecting portion, and supplying thermal energy to the skin in contact with the oxygen sensing film.