PVDF Sensor Module Consolidating Leads for Sleep Study Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sleep study setups with multiple sensors and wires cause discomfort for patients due to the complexity of wire routing and the need for snug respiratory effort belts, which can hinder movement and sleep quality.

Innovation Solution

A multi-sensor module comprising a flexible PVDF polymer strip with metal coatings and conductive electrodes, integrated with adhesive tapes to combine multiple sensors into a single package, allowing for easier positioning and reduced wire interference, using piezoelectric properties to monitor respiratory effort and cardiac rhythm without belts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple individual sensors and wires are used for sleep study monitoring, then comprehensive physiologic parameters can be monitored, but patient comfort and ease of movement deteriorate due to complex wire routing and multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysiologic parameter monitoring capabilityVSAvoidpatient comfort and movement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensors (respiratory effort sensor, cardiac rhythm sensor, sleep apnea sensor) into a single integrated sensor module that adheres to the patient's chest. This consolidation merges multiple wire leads into a single cable connection, eliminating the need for multiple separate sensor placements and wire routings, thereby maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability while significantly improving patient comfort and ease of movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor module performs multiple monitoring functions simultaneously - respiratory effort monitoring via PVDF polymer, cardiac rhythm monitoring via ECG electrodes, and sleep apnea detection - all through a single device placement. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive physiologic parameter monitoring without requiring multiple separate sensors and wire connections, resolving the contradiction between monitoring completeness and patient comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If respiratory effort belts are made snug to prevent slipping, then measurement reliability improves, but patient comfort and ability to roll over deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverespiratory effort measurement reliabilityVSAvoidpatient comfort and position shifting capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) polymer strip as the respiratory effort sensor instead of a rigid or bulky belt structure. This thin, flexible film can conform to the patient's chest contour and move with breathing motions without requiring tight constraint, thereby maintaining measurement reliability while allowing patient comfort and natural movement including rolling over in bed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If multiple separate sensors are placed on the patient, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but device complexity and difficulty of positioning increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive physiologic monitoringVSAvoidsensor placement and wire routing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple sensor functions (respiratory effort, cardiac rhythm, sleep apnea monitoring) into a single sensor module with a unified adhesive backing system. This merging eliminates the need to place and wire multiple separate sensors independently, reducing the overall device complexity and making positioning significantly easier while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution enables comfortable patient positioning by consolidating sensor leads into a single cable and eliminating the need for respiratory effort belts, while effectively monitoring respiratory and cardiac parameters, including sleep apnea indicators, through integrated piezoelectric and impedance pneumography signals.

Implementation Method 1

The strip of PVDF polymer is generally T-shaped... sufficient to reach the sub-sternal notch of a patient... effectively monitoring respiratory and cardiac parameters... through integrated piezoelectric and impedance pneumography signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

first and second conductive electrodes that are substantially coplanar with the strip of PVDF polymer... monitoring respiratory effort, cardiac rhythm and sleep apnea

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9572507B2Combination physiologic sensor

Publication Date: 2017.02.21 DYMEDIX CORP

AI summary

A multi sensor module especially designed for use in sleep-study applications includes a PVDF film piezoelectric transducer enclosed between an upper layer of a single-sided adhesive tape strip and a lower layer of a double-sided adhesive tape strip. Also adhesively affixed to the upper single-sided adhesive tape strip, but not overlaid by the lower double-sided adhesive tape strip are first and second conductive electrodes. The combination sensor module is adapted to be adhesively affixed to the chest area of a person and further included in an extension of the PVDF strip that is adapted to overlay the suprasternal notch of a person for producing signals responsive to respiratory activity of the person.