Disposable Sensor Element With Sliding PCB Contact Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for detecting tissue damage through sub-epidermal moisture measurement lack efficient and secure methods for assembling printed circuit boards (PCBs) without the use of adhesives or protruding lips, which can compromise the reliability and durability of the devices.
Innovation Solution
A detachable element with a retention groove and alignment guide is used, featuring a cantilever element that engages with a planar contact surface, allowing for secure and sliding electrical contact without adhesives or protrusions, and a printed circuit board assembly with a contactor extending beyond the PCB edge to contact a reference surface, ensuring secure and reliable assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive or lip retention methods are used to secure the PCB in the frame, then the PCB is retained in the device, but the reliability and durability of the device are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The PCB is designed with self-retaining features including recesses that engage with protrusions on the frame, and contact surfaces that automatically establish electrical connections when the PCB is inserted. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for adhesives or complex retention structures, improving both reliability and simplifying assembly.
2Reliability
If adhesive is used to secure the PCB, then the PCB is retained, but the assembly method becomes less reliable and durable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the adhesive from the assembly process entirely. Instead, mechanical retention features such as recesses and protrusions are used to secure the PCB, providing both retention and electrical connection without requiring adhesive application, thereby improving assembly reliability and ease of manufacture.
3Shape
If a protruding lip is used to retain the PCB, then the PCB is secured, but the surface is not flush and the device appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The PCB is designed with recesses that nest into corresponding protrusions on the frame, creating a flush external surface while maintaining secure mechanical retention internally. This nested structure allows the PCB edges to be flush with the frame surface while the retention features engage beneath the surface to provide reliable securing.
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
This solution provides a secure, reliable, and durable assembly method for medical devices, enhancing their ability to accurately measure sub-epidermal moisture while maintaining a flush surface, thus improving the devices' performance and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the cantilever element is configured to slide along the contact surface as the detachable element is brought together with the reusable component
Implementation Method 2
the lower section is attached on its underside to a compressible spring
Data Source
AI summary
The construction of a medical device having a disposable element is disclosed. Detachable elements comprising a body having a retention feature, an electrical contactor, and sensors are also disclosed. Further disclosed are detachable elements comprising a body having a hole and a retention pocket, an electrical contactor, and a printed circuit board assembly (PCB) in contact with the innermost surface of the body that forms the retention pocket. Further disclosed are detachable elements comprising a body having an opening and a printed film comprising conductive elements, where the conductive elements comprise a sensor configured to be aligned with the opening to expose the sensor. Further disclosed are reusable components having matching retention features.