Flexible Wound Sensor With Segmented Temperature Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wound monitoring and treatment devices lack effective remote monitoring and stimulation capabilities, particularly in distinguishing wound infections through temperature differences and impedance changes, which are crucial for timely intervention.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layered, flexible substrate device with integrated electrodes and temperature sensors, where a controller provides electrical stimulation and measures impedance, allowing for remote monitoring of wound conditions by distinguishing temperature differences between sensors positioned on the wound and surrounding skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are positioned at different locations (wound area and surrounding skin), then the ability to distinguish wound infection through temperature differences is improved, but the device complexity and spatial requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the temperature sensing function into multiple separate sensors positioned at different locations (wound area and surrounding skin). This segmentation allows independent measurement at each location, enabling the system to distinguish temperature differences between the wound and surrounding tissue, which is critical for detecting wound infections.
Solution Approach 2:
Different temperature sensors are positioned at specific locations with different functional requirements. The first temperature sensor is positioned over the wound area while the second temperature sensor is positioned over surrounding skin, allowing each sensor to measure local temperature characteristics specific to its location, thereby enabling differentiation between wound and surrounding tissue temperatures.
2Measurement precision
If electrical stimulation and impedance measurement capabilities are integrated into the device, then remote monitoring of wound healing progress is improved, but the device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines multiple functions including electrical stimulation, impedance measurement, and temperature monitoring into a single integrated wound monitoring device. The controller coordinates these functions to provide comprehensive wound assessment, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices and enabling remote monitoring of both healing progress and infection status.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a multi-functional system that can perform electrical stimulation for wound healing, impedance measurement for tissue characterization, and temperature monitoring for infection detection. This universal design allows a single device to address multiple wound monitoring needs, reducing overall system complexity despite the increased functionality.
3Loss of time
If the device provides real-time remote monitoring capabilities, then timely clinical intervention is improved, but the need for continuous power supply and data transmission increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables continuous real-time monitoring of wound temperature and impedance without interruption. The controller continuously collects data from temperature sensors and impedance measurement circuits, maintaining constant surveillance of wound conditions. This continuous action allows immediate detection of changes that may indicate infection or healing progression, enabling timely clinical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The device implements a feedback mechanism where measured temperature and impedance data are continuously analyzed by the controller to assess wound status. The system provides feedback signals that can trigger alerts or notifications when threshold values are exceeded, enabling timely response. This feedback loop ensures that energy is consumed efficiently by activating intensive monitoring and communication only when necessary based on the wound's actual status.
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
Enables remote, real-time monitoring of wound healing progress and infection status, facilitating timely clinical interventions by accurately measuring temperature and impedance changes.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of temperature sensors can be electrically coupled to the flexible printed circuit board. A first temperature sensor of the plurality of temperature sensors can be configured for positioning within an area of a wound and a second temperature sensor can be spaced from the first temperature sensor by at least four centimeters along a longitudinal axis of the device.
Implementation Method 2
The controller can be operative to control an electrical current between at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to provide a series of electrical stimulations to a wound
Implementation Method 3
The controller can be further operative to measure an impedance between the at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes during a time between electrical stimulations.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for remotely monitoring and treating wounds or wound infections are disclosed. A device can include a multi-layered, flexible substrate having a dressing layer positioned on a wound side of the substrate, and a flexible printed circuit board layer positioned on an electronics side of the substrate that is opposite the wound side of the dressing layer. A plurality of electrodes can be electrically coupled to the flexible printed circuit board. A plurality of temperature sensors can be electrically coupled to the flexible printed circuit board. Systems including the described devices are also disclosed.