Multi-Patch Body-Area Network for Distributed Biometric Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current health monitoring patches are limited to singular or few biological parameter monitoring at a single location, making it difficult to obtain comprehensive biometric data and provide accurate therapeutic feedback, which can lead to inaccurate medication administration and limited therapeutic functionality.
Innovation Solution
A system of multiple health patches that can be communicatively coupled via stretchable interconnects or wirelessly to form a body-area network, allowing continuous monitoring and feedback of various biological parameters, enabling in-situ therapeutic treatments like local heating, ultrasound, and chemical or electric stimulation across multiple body locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple patches are used to monitor various biological parameters at different locations, then measurement precision and comprehensive data acquisition are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring function into multiple independent patches, each dedicated to monitoring specific biological parameters at different body locations. Each patch is a self-contained unit with sensors, processing circuitry, and communication capabilities, allowing distributed measurement across the body surface to achieve comprehensive biometric data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch system is designed with multi-functionality where each patch can monitor multiple biological parameters (electrical activity, mechanical activity, temperature, chemical composition) and the system can operate in various configurations (single patch or multiple patches) to serve different monitoring needs, from localized to comprehensive body-wide surveillance.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated monitoring machines are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and mobility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system uses flexible, thin-film patches that can be adhered directly to the patient's skin body surface. These patches are designed to be comfortable for prolonged wear, conform to body contours, and remain stable during normal patient movement, transforming rigid monitoring equipment into flexible, body-integrated sensing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the monitoring function from centralized dedicated machines and distributes it across multiple independent patches placed at various body locations. Each patch contains integrated sensors, signal processing circuitry, and wireless communication capabilities, eliminating the need for large external monitoring equipment and enabling mobility.
3Device complexity
If single-location monitoring is used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information about comprehensive biometric data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the monitoring function across multiple spatially distributed patches, each collecting local biometric data. By placing patches at different body locations, the system simultaneously monitors multiple parameters across the entire body surface, preventing information loss while maintaining relatively simple individual patch designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-point monitoring to multi-dimensional spatial monitoring by deploying patches across different body locations. This spatial distribution enables comprehensive capture of biometric data throughout the body, adding the dimension of location to the monitoring process and eliminating information loss.
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 comprehensive and accurate monitoring and therapeutic response to multiple biological parameters, improving diagnosis and treatment efficacy by providing continuous, multi-location data acquisition and feedback, thus enhancing patient care.
Implementation Method 1
a first adhesive on the first flexible, stretchable substrate, the first adhesive configured to temporarily attach the first patch to skin of a user
Implementation Method 2
a second adhesive on the second flexible, stretchable substrate, the second adhesive configured to temporarily attach the second patch to the skin of the user
Data Source
AI summary
Discussed generally herein are methods and devices including or providing a patch system that can help in diagnosing a medical condition and/or provide therapy to a user. A body-area network can include a plurality of communicatively coupled patches that communicate with an intermediate device. The intermediate device can provide data representative of a biological parameter monitored by the patches to proper personnel, such as for diagnosis and/or response.