Multiplexed Sweat Sensing for On-Demand Sequential Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable sweat sensors lack the ability to induce sweat on-demand and perform normalized and periodic analysis, particularly in sedentary individuals, due to inaccessibility and lack of control over sweat secretion.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a multiplexed sensing module featuring multiple compartments, each equipped with iontophoresis electrodes and hydrogel layers for sweat induction, along with sensors for analyte detection, and a processor for controlling sweat induction and analysis modes to normalize and time-sequential measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wearable sweat sensors are used for non-invasive analyte sensing, then in-situ sensing capability is improved, but the ability to induce sweat on-demand deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device integrates multiple functions into a single system: it combines analyte sensing capabilities with sweat induction functionality through iontophoresis electrodes and secretory agonist-containing hydrogel layers. This allows the device to both sense sweat analytes in-situ and actively induce sweat secretion on-demand, resolving the contradiction between sensing capability and sweat induction capability.
2Device complexity
If sweat secretion is left uncontrolled, then natural sweat analysis is simplified, but the ability to perform normalized and periodic analysis deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables periodic sweat analysis by controlling sweat secretion in a time-sequential manner across multiple compartments. The processor activates different compartments at different times to collect sweat samples for normalized analysis, allowing systematic monitoring of analyte levels over time while maintaining control over the secretion process.
3Productivity
If multiple sensing compartments are activated simultaneously, then parallel sweat analysis is improved, but the ability to perform time-sequential measurements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs dynamic control of compartment activation through a processor that can selectively activate different sensing compartments at different times. This allows the system to switch between parallel activation modes (for increased productivity) and time-sequential activation modes (for temporal resolution), adapting the operation mode based on measurement requirements.
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 on-demand and non-invasive sweat analysis, providing personalized monitoring and real-time information for diagnostic purposes, suitable for large-scale clinical investigations and remote patient monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensing region including a first pair of iontophoresis electrodes and a first secretory agonist-containing hydrogel layer adjacent to the first pair of iontophoresis electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device for multiplexed sweat analysis includes a sensing module. The sensing module includes multiple compartments, including a first compartment configured to induce sweat and sense a target analyte, and a second compartment configured to induce sweat and sense the target analyte.