Medical Sensor Non-Adhesive Gripping Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pulse oximetry sensors face challenges in securing attachment to the skin due to patient movement and exposure to liquids or bodily fluids, leading to measurement errors and sensor dislodgement, particularly in emergency settings where adhesive materials may fail and reusable sensors weaken from frequent repositioning.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a non-adhesive gripping portion with raised protrusions on the sensor body, providing a durable and secure attachment to the skin without adhesives, utilizing materials with high static coefficients of friction to prevent sensor movement and maintain stability during patient activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive bandages are used to attach the sensor, then the sensor can be secured to the skin, but the adhesive fails when exposed to liquids or bodily fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the adhesive component from the sensor attachment mechanism entirely. Instead of using adhesive bandages that fail when exposed to liquids or bodily fluids, the invention employs a non-adhesive gripping portion with raised protrusions that mechanically engage with the skin surface, eliminating the harmful effect of adhesive failure in wet environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The raised protrusions on the gripping portion serve as an intermediary mechanical engagement structure between the sensor body and the skin. These protrusions provide friction-based attachment without requiring adhesive materials, allowing the sensor to maintain secure attachment even when exposed to liquids or bodily fluids that would cause traditional adhesives to fail.
2Reliability
If clip-type devices with springs are used to affix the sensor, then the sensor components are secured in place, but the mechanical components weaken from frequent repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a disposable sensor design where the entire sensor including the gripping portion is intended for single-use. This eliminates the durability issue of reusable mechanical components by designing a low-cost disposable unit that provides reliable attachment for its intended use period without requiring repeated repositioning cycles that would weaken spring mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the reusable mechanical components (springs, clips) from the attachment mechanism. Instead of using mechanical components that can be repositioned but weaken over time, the patent employs a simple non-adhesive gripping portion with raised protrusions that provides secure attachment for disposable use, eliminating the durability degradation associated with repeated mechanical repositioning.
3Reliability
If the sensor is attached securely to prevent dislodgement, then patient motion will not dislodge the sensor, but normal blood flow may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the gripping portion with raised protrusions only at specific locations on the sensor body that contact the skin, while keeping other portions of the sensor minimal and non-intrusive. This localized gripping approach provides sufficient stability to prevent dislodgement during patient motion while minimizing the overall contact pressure and surface area that could disrupt blood flow through the measurement site.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor body is designed with flexible, thin construction that allows it to conform to the skin surface without creating excessive pressure. The raised protrusions provide localized gripping force to prevent dislodgement, while the overall flexible and thin design of the sensor ensures that normal blood flow is not disrupted, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and maintaining physiological function.
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 non-adhesive gripping portion effectively reduces sensor movement and maintains secure attachment to the skin, minimizing measurement errors and extending sensor durability by reducing the reliance on adhesive materials and mechanical components, suitable for use in various clinical settings and environments.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing materials with high static coefficients of friction to prevent sensor movement and maintain stability during patient activity
Implementation Method 2
a non-invasive sensor that transmits light through a patient's tissue and that photoelectrically detects the absorption and/or scattering of the transmitted light in such tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A medical sensor may be adapted to be affixed to a patient's skin. A sensor for pulse oximetry or other spectrophotometric uses is provided with a gripping region that contacts the patient's skin and provides gripping strength to reduce movement of the sensor. Also provided herein is a method of contacting a sensor to a patient's skin and method of manufacturing a sensor.