Segmented Wearable Substrate for Physiological Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices for physiological monitoring face challenges in durability and ease of handling due to their thin, flexible, and stretchable construction, which can make them fragile and difficult to construct, while requiring robust platforms for complex circuits and sensors.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device design featuring a middle portion with intimate contact for sensing physiological parameters and thicker, more durable end portions for electronic components, connected by a bridge portion to enhance durability, with optional features like adhesives and porous structures for attachment and drug delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the wearable device uses a thin, flexible, and stretchable construction to enable intimate contact with the subject's skin for accurate sensing, then measurement precision is improved, but the device becomes fragile and durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into distinct functional regions: a flexible middle portion for sensing and contact with the subject's skin, and thicker end portions for housing electronic components and providing structural durability. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function while working together as an integrated device.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the substrate are given different thicknesses and mechanical properties. The middle portion is thin and flexible to conform to body contours and maintain sensor contact, while the end portions are thicker and more rigid to protect electronic components and withstand handling stresses.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wearable device uses a thin, flexible construction to be stretchable and adaptable to various body parts, then adaptability is improved, but the device becomes difficult to construct and manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the substrate into distinct thickness regions, the patent enables independent optimization of manufacturing processes for each section while maintaining overall adaptability. The thicker end portions can be manufactured with standard rigid substrate processes, while the flexible middle portion can be separately optimized for stretchability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device employs composite material structures with different regions having different mechanical properties. This allows the device to simultaneously achieve stretchability for body adaptability and structural integrity for ease of manufacture, as each material region can be selected and manufactured according to its specific functional requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the wearable device uses a thin substrate for flexibility and stretchability, then ease of operation is improved, but the device becomes fragile and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into a thin flexible middle portion that facilitates easy attachment and wear on body parts, and thicker end portions that provide structural strength and resistance to breaking during handling and use.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the substrate have different mechanical strengths. The thin middle portion provides flexibility for ease of operation, while the thicker end portions provide the necessary strength to prevent device failure during handling, effectively decoupling the strength requirement from the flexibility requirement.
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 design allows for accurate and long-term physiological monitoring while maintaining durability and ease of handling, enabling attachment to various body parts and potential drug delivery through porous structures.
Implementation Method 1
a physiological sensor arranged on the middle portion, the physiological sensor configured to sense a physiological signal of the subject
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive disposed on proximal surfaces of the end portions, the adhesive configured to attach the wearable device to the subject's skin
Implementation Method 3
the middle portion is porous to an active pharmaceutical ingredient
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices and methods for monitoring one or more physiological parameters of a subject. In an embodiment, a wearable device comprises a substrate configured to attached to a subject's skin. The substrate comprises a middle portion arranged between two end portions, wherein the middle portion is more flexible than at least one of the end portions. The wearable device also comprises a physiological sensor arranged on the middle portion. The physiological sensor is configured to sense a physiological signal of the subject when the wearable device is attached to the subject's skin. And, the wearable device comprises one or more electrical components arranged on at least one of the end portions, wherein at least one of the one or more electrical components is coupled to the physiological sensor.