Regional Oximetry Sensor Structure for Peel-Resistant Skin Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing regional oximetry sensors face challenges in maintaining secure attachment to the skin during patient movement, leading to discomfort and potential disruption of measurements due to peel-off issues caused by the sensor stem and cable tension.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a peel-off resistant regional oximetry sensor with a stem terminated interior to the sensor head, featuring anti-peel feet along the stem distal to the termination, which reduces peel loads on the adhesive and distributes tension and shear loads over a larger area, enhancing skin-friendly adhesion and preventing sensor dislodgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor stem and cable are attached to the sensor head, then the sensor can transmit signals and be connected to monitoring equipment, but the adhesive experiences peel loads that cause sensor dislodgment during patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor head is divided into multiple segments including a stem, a body, and anti-peel feet. This segmentation allows the anti-peel feet to be positioned distal to the stem, creating multiple attachment points that distribute peel loads and prevent sensor dislodgment during patient movement
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-peel feet extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the stem axis, adding a dimensional element that distributes forces across a larger area. This perpendicular extension creates a geometric configuration that resists peel loads by distributing tension and shear forces across multiple attachment points
2Reliability
If the adhesive is applied to attach the sensor to the skin, then the sensor remains secured during patient movement, but the peel loads cause adhesive failure and sensor dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-peel feet are positioned distal to the stem to provide beforehand cushioning against peel loads. This geometric configuration anticipates and distributes peel forces before they can cause adhesive failure, cushioning the adhesive bond against dislodgment forces during patient movement
3Device complexity
If the stem is terminated at the edge of the sensor head, then the structure is simpler, but the peel loads concentrate on a small area causing adhesive failure
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor head is segmented into a stem, body, and anti-peel feet, distributing the attachment function across multiple elements. This segmentation increases the effective adhesive attachment area by adding anti-peel feet that create additional bonding points distal to the stem
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-peel feet extend perpendicular to the stem axis, utilizing a different spatial dimension to increase the attachment area. This dimensional extension distributes peel loads across a larger total area without significantly increasing the overall sensor head volume
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
This configuration ensures the sensor remains securely attached to the skin even with patient movement, reducing discomfort and maintaining accurate measurements by minimizing adhesive challenges and distributing forces effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The focus element improves optical transmissions by gently pushing into the skin and providing improved optical coupling with the skin
Implementation Method 2
at least one emitter configured to transmit optical radiation into the patient skin surface
Implementation Method 3
a near-field detector configured to detect the optical radiation after attenuation by tissue of the patient and a far field detector also configured to detect the optical radiation after attenuation by tissue of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
A regional oximetry sensor can have a sensor head configured to secure to skin of a user and a stem extending from the sensor head. The sensor head can include an emitter configured to transmit optical radiation into the skin and at least one detector configured to receive the optical radiation after attenuation by blood flow within the skin. The stem can be configured to transmit electrical signals from the sensor head to a cable. A plurality of notches can extend from a perimeter of the sensor head towards an interior thereof. The plurality of notches can form a plurality of independently flexible cutouts in the sensor head configured to allow for movement of at least a portion of the skin of the user underlying the sensor head when the regional oximetry sensor is in use.