Multi-layered Sensor Apparatus for Body Surface Conformability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophysiology sensors face challenges in providing a flexible and conformable solution for accurately sensing electrical activity on varying body surfaces, particularly in invasive and non-invasive applications, as they often lack the ability to adapt to different body shapes and movements effectively.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layered sensor apparatus comprising a flexible substrate layer with electrodes and a stretchable conformable layer, where the flexible layer is affixed to the conformable layer using adhesive, allowing the electrodes to bend and conform to the body's surface, with interconnected loops and curved strips that facilitate movement and maintain contact, enhancing spatial distribution and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid substrate is used for sensor stability, then structural stability is improved, but conformability to body surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor substrate is divided into multiple segments including rigid portions (for stability) and flexible portions (for conformability). The segmented design allows different regions to perform different functions - rigid areas provide structural support while flexible areas enable adaptation to body contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor apparatus employs composite material construction combining rigid and flexible materials in a single substrate structure. This composite approach integrates the advantages of both material types, achieving simultaneous structural stability and body surface conformability through material property integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible substrate is used for conformability, then adaptability to body surfaces is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into rigid and flexible portions, allowing the flexible segments to provide conformability while the rigid segments maintain structural stability. This segmentation enables the sensor to achieve both adaptability and stability through spatial distribution of material properties.
3Reliability
If electrodes are fixed rigidly for stable contact, then contact stability is improved, but ability to move with body surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is segmented with electrodes positioned on both rigid and flexible portions of the substrate. This segmentation allows electrodes to maintain stable contact through the rigid portions while the flexible portions enable movement and adaptation to body surface changes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the electrode assembly have different properties - electrodes on rigid portions provide stable contact points, while electrodes on flexible portions accommodate movement. This local quality differentiation optimizes both contact stability and adaptability in specific regions.
4Reliability
If wiring is made rigid for electrical connection stability, then connection reliability is improved, but flexibility of the sensor apparatus deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring system is segmented with conductive paths on both rigid and flexible portions of the substrate. This segmentation ensures reliable electrical connections through the rigid portions while maintaining overall apparatus flexibility through the flexible portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiring structure employs composite material principles by integrating conductive elements into both rigid and flexible substrate portions, achieving connection reliability and apparatus flexibility simultaneously through material and structural integration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor array system (10, 30) can include a substrate layer (12, 14) that includes a stretchable and conformable material that is configured to allow spaced apart and interconnected portions thereof to stretch and conform commensurate with movement of the substrate layer (12, 14), such as when attached to a patient's body. A plurality of electrodes (16) are disposed on a contact surface of the substrate layer (12, 14). Electrically conductive paths are also disposed on the substrate layer (14) and extending from each of the electrodes to which it is connected and terminating in an end thereof. The substrate layer may itself include more than one layer, such as including a flexible substrate layer (12) that is affixed to a stretchable material layer (14).