Self-Retractable Skin Stimulation Patch with Thermal Trigger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional skin stimulation patches require external devices or energy sources for retraction, limiting accessibility and convenience, and their manufacturing process is complex, making them costly.

Innovation Solution

A self-retractable patch using a retractable material like PNIPAAm and a trigger material such as a water-sensitive self-heating material with zeolite and polyol, which applies thermal energy to control retraction under preset conditions, allowing independent use and simple manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an external device or energy source is used to cause retraction, then retraction function is achieved, but customer accessibility and convenience of use are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of useVSAvoidexternal device requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patch performs retraction automatically without requiring external devices or energy sources. The retractable material inherently possesses the ability to retract when exposed to specific conditions (such as temperature changes), making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in physical parameters (temperature) to trigger retraction. The retractable material responds to temperature variations by changing its physical state, enabling automatic retraction without external control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If elongation is recorded in advance to enable retraction without external devices, then accessibility is improved, but control over direction and degree of retraction is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidcontrol of retraction direction and degree
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patch incorporates local structural features (such as grooves or patterned surfaces) that guide the retraction direction. Different regions of the patch have specific properties that control the direction and degree of retraction, allowing precise control while maintaining self-retraction capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If elongation process is included in manufacturing process, then retraction function is achieved, but manufacturing process becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretraction functionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the retraction function from the manufacturing process by using inherently retractable materials that possess retraction capability intrinsically. This eliminates the need for complex elongation recording processes during manufacturing, simplifying production while maintaining reliable retraction function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 patch enables controlled retraction direction and degree, can be used at desired times without external devices, and has a simplified manufacturing process with reduced costs.

Implementation Method 1

the preset energy is a thermal energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a water-sensitive self-heating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-heating: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 3

a retractable material capable of retracting under a preset condition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP4582068A1Self-retractable patch for skin stimulation
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 AMOREPACIFIC CORP
  • EP4582068A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4582068A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4582068A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a self-retractable patch for skin stimulation, and more specifically, to a patch for skin stimulation including a retractable material and a trigger material. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, as a patch capable of stimulating skin, a patch for skin stimulation including a retractable material capable of retracting under a preset condition and a trigger material which applies a preset energy to the retractable material so as to achieve the condition may be provided.