Polymer Optical Fiber Sensor for Textile Pressure and Moisture Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems for monitoring pressure force and moisture changes are hindered by susceptibility to interference, complex connection technologies, and difficulties in replacement and cleaning, particularly in healthcare settings where electrical and fiber optic sensors are not ideal.
Innovation Solution
A light-based sensor system integrated into a textile base using a strand-like elastic carrier material with a polymer-optical fiber, which couples light and detects intensity changes due to force deformation or liquid contact, allowing for simultaneous monitoring of pressure and moisture without the need for encapsulation or complex connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical sensors are used for monitoring pressure force and moisture changes, then measurement capability is provided, but susceptibility to interference from electrical devices and moisture ingress occurs requiring complex shielding and expensive plug-in connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical sensors with an optical sensor system that uses light-guiding fibers (polymer optical fibers) to detect pressure force and moisture changes. This substitution eliminates the need for electrical connections and shielding in the patient contact area, as the optical fibers are electrically inert and immune to electromagnetic interference and moisture ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium for sensing. Instead of using electrical signals that are susceptible to interference, the system uses light transmission through optical fibers as the intermediary to carry measurement information from the patient contact area to the evaluation electronics, thereby avoiding direct electrical connections in the vulnerable zone.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different sensor systems are used to determine pressure force and moisture changes, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical fiber sensor system universal by enabling it to detect both pressure force and moisture changes using the same basic component (the optical fiber). The single optical fiber sensor can operate in different configurations (straight, coiled, or wound around a support element) to detect different physical quantities, eliminating the need for separate sensor systems for pressure and moisture monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If fiber optic sensors with complex connection technology are used, then measurement precision is improved, but replacement and cleaning of sensor components becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible polymer optical fibers that can be easily integrated into textile bases and removed for cleaning. The optical fibers are enclosed in a flexible, removable sensor element that can be detached from the textile base, allowing for easy cleaning or replacement without complex connection technologies. This maintains measurement precision while significantly improving ease of maintenance.
4Ease of operation
If electrical sensors are integrated into textile bases, then patient monitoring is enabled, but cleaning and washing requires special precautions to avoid moisture ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical sensors with optical sensors in the textile base, allowing the entire textile including the sensor area to be washed without special precautions. The optical fibers are immune to moisture and can be cleaned along with the textile base using standard washing procedures, eliminating the need for separate cleaning protocols required by electrical sensors.
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 easy integration, cleaning, and monitoring of pressure and moisture changes without interference, suitable for healthcare applications, and allows for remote monitoring of patient movements and breathing rates, reducing the risk of bedsores and alerting for medical attention when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer-optical fiber (3) arranged on the carrier material (2), which is provided for integration into a textile base (10). Due to the strand-like elastic carrier material, the sensor element (1) can be easily integrated into textile structures.
Implementation Method 2
pressure deforms the optical fibers, as a result of which the optical properties of the optical fibers are changed. Due to this, the amount of light coupled out changes with the pressure exerted and pressure changes can thus be detected.
Implementation Method 3
loss of light in optical waveguides that are guided in a curved manner is utilized
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor system for monitoring changes in pressure and moisture on a textile substrate, comprising a sensor element (1) formed with a strand-shaped elastic carrier material (2) and a polymer optical fiber (3) arranged on the carrier material (2) for integration into a textile substrate, a light source (5) which is connected to one end of the polymer optical fiber (3) for coupling light into the sensor, a detector element (6) which is connected to the other end of the polymer optical fiber (3) for detecting an intensity signal of the light guided through the polymer optical fiber (3), and an evaluation device (13) with which at least one change in moisture and/or one change in pressure can be assigned to a temporal progression of an intensity signal supplied by the detector element (6).and a notification device (14) for indicating a change in humidity and/or a change in pressure. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for using the sensor system to monitor the care and medical needs of a patient.