Maternal Monitoring Transducer with Integrated PCB Displacement Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maternal monitoring transducers, particularly tocodynamometers, face challenges in accurately measuring uterine activity due to sensitivity and stability issues, which require complex and costly manufacturing processes and frequent manual adjustments.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a displacement-sensitive structure within a substrate board of the maternal monitoring transducer, which detects deformations caused by uterine contractions, eliminates the need for separate displacement sensors and allows for automatic signal compensation, reducing manual intervention and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate displacement sensors are used to detect uterine activity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the displacement-sensitive structure directly into the substrate board, eliminating the need for separate displacement sensors. The substrate board itself becomes the sensing element, detecting deformations caused by uterine contractions through integrated strain-sensitive traces or patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate board serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the transducer components and simultaneously acts as the displacement-sensitive sensing element. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while maintaining measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If metal strain gauge elements are used for pressure force conversion, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional metal strain gauge elements with a displacement-sensitive structure fabricated using standard PCB techniques. The sensing traces are created through printing, etching, or coating processes applied directly to the substrate board, eliminating complex metalworking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material and fabrication parameters from metal strain gauges requiring sputtering, etching, and trimming to PCB-compatible conductive materials that can be deposited using standard printed circuit board manufacturing processes.
3Measurement precision
If manual adjustment and offset control are implemented, then measurement precision is maintained, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer incorporates automatic offset control functionality that operates without user intervention. The system self-adjusts to maintain measurement accuracy, eliminating the need for manual calibration or offset control by the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automatic offset control mechanisms that continuously monitor and adjust the measurement signal, providing feedback-based correction without requiring user input. This maintains measurement precision while simplifying operation.
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
This approach provides a precise and sensitive detection of maternal motion with reduced component count and manufacturing complexity, enabling cost-effective and reliable uterine activity monitoring with minimal user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
having a variable electrical property proportional to resilient elastic flexion in a transverse direction to said measurement plane on application of a bending moment
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a maternal monitoring transducer (20), comprising a housing (60), a substrate board (72), particularly a PCB (70), disposed in the housing (60) and comprising control components (74), and a displacement measurement arrangement (76) comprising a displacement-sensitive structure (78) that is arranged to detect deformations of a deflectable measurement section (80) of the substrate board (72), wherein the maternal monitoring transducer (20) supplies a signal that is representative of maternal motion. The disclosure further relates to a method of operating a maternal monitoring transducer (20).