Portable Hydration Sensor Thermal Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring hydration levels are expensive, cumbersome, and typically confined to laboratory settings, making them impractical for continuous monitoring outside of these environments.
Innovation Solution
A portable hydration sensor that determines hydration levels by measuring thermal properties using a compact housing with a thermal source, controller, temperature sensing element, and processor, allowing for integration into wearable devices or clothing, and utilizing a moisture management layer to enhance sensor response times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current laboratory methods are used to measure hydration, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical laboratory equipment with a thermal-based sensing system that uses a heating element and temperature sensor to measure hydration through thermal properties, eliminating the need for expensive laboratory instruments
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from chemical analysis (blood tests, urine tests) to thermal parameter measurement (temperature response to heating), simplifying the measurement approach while maintaining accuracy
2Measurement precision
If laboratory equipment is used for hydration measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement function into discrete components (housing, heating element, temperature sensor, processor) that can be integrated into portable form factors, enabling handheld or wearable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a simplified version of laboratory measurement capability that can be deployed in field settings, copying the essential measurement function without requiring full laboratory infrastructure
3Loss of time
If a moisture management layer is added to isolate skin from thermal source, then sensor response time is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a moisture management layer as an intermediary between the skin and thermal source, which manages moisture transfer to optimize thermal contact and improve response time without requiring direct skin contact
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 accurate, continuous, and cost-effective hydration monitoring outside laboratories, suitable for various applications including wearable devices and medical equipment, improving convenience and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal source is energized by the controller with the signal having the known function of time, the energized thermal source delivers thermal energy to the moisture management layer
Implementation Method 2
the moisture management layer, when substantially dry, has a known time variation of temperature in response to the thermal source being energized with a signal having a known function of time
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable sensor for measuring a hydration level of an object in close physical proximity with the sensor includes a portable housing having a total volume of less than about 50 cm3. First circuitry disposed in the housing includes a thermal source, a controller electrically coupled to the thermal source, a temperature sensing element, and a processor coupled to the temperature sensing element. When the object is in close physical proximity with the sensor, the thermal source is energized by the controller with a signal having a known function of time. The object affects a time variation of a temperature of the thermal source, the temperature sensing element senses the affected time variation of the temperature of the thermal source, and the processor determines a hydration level of the object based on a characteristic of the affected time variation of the temperature of the thermal source.