Deformable Sensor Containment Assembly for Conductive Gel Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical sensors with electrodes face challenges in maintaining effective electrical conductivity over time due to impedance issues between electrodes and the patient's skin, leading to reduced sensor performance and shorter shelf life.
Innovation Solution
A containment assembly with a deformable housing and membranes is used to house electrically conductive materials, such as gels, which are released upon application pressure, reducing impedance and maintaining hydration through a low moisture vapor transmission rate, thereby prolonging sensor life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrically conductive material is exposed to air, then conductivity between electrode and patient is improved, but the conductive material dries out and shelf life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful factor (air exposure) is extracted from the system by sealing the conductive material in a containment assembly with a low MVTR barrier, preventing drying while maintaining conductivity through controlled release at the electrode interface
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible containment assembly with a thin film barrier (low MVTR material) is used to enclose the conductive material, providing moisture protection while allowing controlled release through apertures when needed
2Duration of action of stationary object
If conductive material is contained in a sealed housing, then shelf life is extended, but conductivity to patient cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive material is pre-positioned in the containment assembly in a ready-to-use state, sealed to preserve shelf life, and automatically released upon application to the patient through pressure-activated aperture opening
Solution Approach 2:
The containment assembly acts as an intermediary between the conductive material and the external environment, providing protected storage while enabling controlled release through apertures when the sensor is applied to the patient
3Reliability
If force is applied to release conductive material, then conductivity is improved, but sensor structure must be deformable
Solution Approach 1:
The containment assembly utilizes a flexible deformable housing that can be compressed by application force, causing internal pressure increase to open apertures and release conductive material without requiring complex mechanical structures
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor structure itself provides the release mechanism - the application force naturally deforms the deformable housing to open apertures and release conductive material, eliminating the need for separate release mechanisms or additional components
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 effectively reduces impedance and maintains conductivity, extending the sensor's useful life by preventing drying of the conductive material and ensuring consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one membrane configured, in an undeformed state of the housing, to cover at least one aperture of the one or more apertures to contain the electrically conductive material in the housing
Implementation Method 2
upon application of a sufficient force to the housing, the housing is configured to assume a deformed state in which the at least one membrane is configured to at least partially uncover the at least one aperture to enable the electrically conductive material to be released from the housing
Implementation Method 3
The containment assembly is configured such that a relatively light force (also referred to herein as a pressure) on the containment assembly (directly or indirectly only a sensor of which the containment assembly is part) causes the conductive material to be released from the housing via the one or more apertures
Implementation Method 4
an electrically conductive material that is configured to improve conductivity between the one or more electrodes and the patient and reduce the impedance of the electrode-to-patient connection
Implementation Method 5
The containment assembly and, in some cases, the one or more membranes, may have a sufficiently low moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) to reduce and/or prevent drying of the conductive material
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a medical sensor comprises a containment assembly and an electrode assembly having an electrode well. The containment assembly comprises a deformable housing configured to house an electrically conductive material and being formed with one or more apertures. The container assembly also comprises at least one membrane configured to cover at least one aperture of the one or more apertures to contain the electrically conductive material in the housing. Upon application of a sufficient force to the housing, the housing is configured to assume a deformed state in which the at least one membrane is configured to at least partially uncover the at least one aperture to enable the electrically conductive material to be released from the housing and into the electrode well through the at least one aperture.