Modular Wearable Sensor Flexible Spine Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable medical sensors are bulky, uncomfortable, and prone to detachment due to semi-rigid circuitry and temporary adhesives, leading to inaccuracies, discomfort, and increased costs, with a need for improved adhesion and reusability.
Innovation Solution
A modular wearable health monitor design separates circuitry from the adhesive portion, allowing for better body contouring and using a disposable adhesive strip with flexible connections and snap assemblies to secure the housing, along with a detachable skirt to prevent clothing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If semi-rigid circuit boards are used to secure sensors to the body, then the sensor can be firmly attached, but the device exerts continuous outward pressure causing discomfort and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible circuit boards instead of semi-rigid ones, allowing the sensor to conform to the body's contours without exerting continuous outward pressure. The flexible substrate bends with the body movement, maintaining attachment while eliminating the pulling sensation that causes discomfort and detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device is divided into separate functional modules: the flexible circuit board containing electronics, the adhesive portion for body attachment, and the sensor housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the flexible board provides comfort while the adhesive ensures secure attachment without rigid constraints.
2Ease of manufacture
If temporary adhesives are used to secure wearable sensors, then the device can be easily applied, but the adhesive fails over time causing data loss and requiring frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite adhesive structure combining a removable adhesive layer with a support structure. This composite design provides strong initial attachment for easy application while maintaining durability over time through the support structure that prevents adhesive degradation, eliminating the need for frequent replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive portion is pre-designed with a support structure that anticipates and prevents premature failure. The support structure is built into the adhesive assembly before application, providing ongoing structural integrity that prevents the adhesive from weakening or detaching during the monitoring period.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is made larger to accommodate all components, then more functionality is available, but the device becomes bulkier and less comfortable to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested configuration where the flexible circuit board is placed within the sensor housing, and the adhesive portion is integrated into the housing structure. This nesting allows all components to be contained within a compact form factor while maintaining full functionality, preventing the device from becoming bulkier.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible circuit board dynamically adapts to the body's contours and movements, allowing the sensor to maintain optimal contact and functionality without requiring a large rigid housing. The flexibility enables the same components to fit a more compact form that is comfortable to wear.
4Reliability
If stronger adhesives are used to prevent early failure, then the sensor remains attached longer, but the user experiences additional discomfort during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the adhesive system by using a removable adhesive with a support structure. This modifies the adhesive's properties to provide sufficient retention time for monitoring while maintaining ease of removal. The support structure distributes the bonding force, allowing clean removal without painful tearing or residue.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular wearable health monitor having a substantially flexible attachment means connected to a housing comprising a power source and at least one processor through a relatively rigid and narrow spine disposed substantially centrally thereon having a variety of clinical and non-clinical uses that provides more comfortable and durable attachment of biometric sensors to a user by allowing the attachment means to contour to the user's body without the housing also being forced to do so along its entire width.