Lifting Sensor Patch With Side-Element Repositioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable skin patches often require frequent replacement due to hygiene concerns, which is time-consuming and costly, and users may struggle to properly reapply them, especially in care-at-home settings.
Innovation Solution
A wearable sensor patch with a side element that can be secured in place during maintenance, allowing for easy lifting and repositioning without full removal, featuring adhesive surfaces with varying bond strengths and a non-adhesive surface to prevent sticking to clothing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor patch is completely removed for maintenance, then hygiene requirements are met, but the placement and orientation may be incorrect upon reapplication
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive patch is segmented into three functional zones: a first adhesive surface for skin attachment, a non-adhesive surface for maintenance access, and a second adhesive surface on the side element for temporary securing. This segmentation allows the patch to be partially lifted and repositioned without complete removal, maintaining placement accuracy while enabling hygiene maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The side element with its second adhesive surface is pre-configured to secure the patch in place during maintenance. This preliminary preparation ensures that when maintenance is performed, the patch remains properly positioned and oriented, eliminating the need for complete removal and reapplication.
2Reliability
If the patch is secured firmly to prevent movement, then placement accuracy is maintained, but maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the patch have different adhesive properties: the first adhesive surface provides strong skin attachment, while the non-adhesive surface allows easy access for maintenance. The side element's second adhesive surface provides localized securing during maintenance, creating a balance between stability and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch transitions between different states: fully adhered for monitoring, partially lifted for maintenance, and secured by the side element during the transition. This dynamic behavior allows the patch to maintain placement stability when needed while becoming accessible for maintenance when required.
3Reliability
If the adhesive surface is strong enough to hold the patch, then placement stability is achieved, but the patch cannot be lifted for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patch has heterogeneous adhesive properties: the first adhesive surface has high bond strength for stable skin attachment, while the non-adhesive surface has low or no adhesion to allow easy lifting and maintenance access. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strong adhesion and lifting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive functionality is segmented into different zones with different bond strengths. The first adhesive surface maintains strong attachment for stability, while the non-adhesive surface enables lifting for maintenance, allowing both strong adhesion and lifting capability to coexist in different parts of the same patch.
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 frequent maintenance and reusability of the sensor patch while maintaining its placement and orientation, reducing the need for complete replacement and minimizing user error in application.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive body that includes a first adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface opposite the first adhesive surface, the first adhesive surface configured to adhere to an object
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The described embodiments relate to a sensor patch that can be temporarily removed and re-applied in the same location using a side element of the sensor patch. The side element can be folded onto the sensor patch when the sensor patch is adhered to an object such as an appendage of a person. The side element can be unfolded and adhered to the appendage in order to preserve the placement of the sensor patch on the appendage. In this way, maintenance such as cleaning can be performed on the area where the sensor patch is located without having to dispose of the sensor patch. Once maintenance is completed, the side element can be folded back onto a surface of the sensor patch until maintenance is to be performed again.