Non-Rigid Wearable Support for Skin Conformability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals with diabetes often fail to monitor their glucose levels frequently due to convenience, testing discretion, and pain associated with traditional glucose testing, leading to inadequate glycemic control.

Innovation Solution

A non-rigid wearable device with a flexible support structure that includes rigid and flexible sections, allowing it to conform to the user's skin and improve adhesion and comfort, while protecting sensitive components from mechanical stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid support structure is used to protect electronic components, then component protection is improved, but device flexibility and skin conformability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidskin conformability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple rigid sections separated by flexible gaps or channels. This segmentation allows the structure to provide protection at rigid locations while maintaining flexibility in the gaps, enabling the device to conform to skin contours without compromising component protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the support structure have different mechanical properties. Rigid sections provide protection where needed, while flexible gaps provide conformability where needed. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall rigidity for protection and local flexibility for skin adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If adhesive strength is increased to improve device attachment, then adhesion is improved, but device flexibility and comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadhesionVSAvoidcomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure functions as a flexible shell that can bend and conform to the skin surface. This flexibility is maintained through the gap design that allows bending without compromising the adhesive attachment at the rigid sections, thereby maintaining both adhesion and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If flexible gaps are added to improve skin conformability, then device flexibility is improved, but mechanical stress on electronic components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice flexibilityVSAvoidmechanical stress on components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the support structure into rigid sections with flexible gaps, the design localizes mechanical stress away from electronic components. The rigid sections protect components while the flexible gaps accommodate skin movement, preventing stress transmission to sensitive electronic elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible gaps act as pre-designed cushioning elements that absorb and distribute mechanical stress before it can reach the electronic components. This beforehand cushioning protects components from harmful stress while maintaining overall device flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20250281118A1Non-rigid wearable devices

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC

AI summary

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for a non-rigid wearable device comprising electrical circuitry and a support structure supporting the electrical circuitry. The support structure having rigid sections that rigidly support components of the electrical circuitry to protect components and/or solder joints from stress due to deflection and having non-rigid or flexible sections where there are no solder connections present on the electrical circuitry and/or where there are interconnecting traces present on the electrical circuitry that can tolerate stress due to deflection.