Sensor Patch with Auxetic Frame for Moisture Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional skin-mount sensors face challenges in long-term biosignal monitoring due to moisture evaporation and sweat discharge, leading to reduced adhesion and accuracy, as well as user discomfort and potential skin issues like itching or necrosis.
Innovation Solution
A sensor patch with openings and a frame that ensures air and moisture permeability, featuring a body fluid sensor with a passage for discharge and a bioelectrical sensor with hydrogel and elastic membrane for moisture management, along with a pulse sensor, all integrated on an auxetic frame for stable attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closed sensor platform is used to cover the skin, then sensor stability and adhesion are improved, but moisture discharge and air permeability are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor platform incorporates a porous structure that allows moisture and air to pass through while maintaining mechanical integrity and adhesion. The porous design enables the platform to remain stable on the skin while permitting natural moisture discharge and breathability, resolving the contradiction between adhesion and moisture management.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor platform is divided into multiple regions with different permeability characteristics. Certain areas have higher porosity for moisture discharge while other areas maintain denser structures for stable sensor attachment. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of adhesion and moisture permeability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sensor substrate is made rigid for structural stability, then sensor positioning is improved, but skin comfort and moisture exchange are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor substrate is designed as a flexible thin film that can conform to the skin surface while maintaining sufficient structural stability for accurate sensor positioning. The flexible nature allows the substrate to move with skin movements and maintain comfort, while the engineered stiffness in specific regions ensures proper sensor alignment and stability.
3Reliability
If adhesive strength is increased to prevent sensor detachment during movement, then sensor stability is improved, but skin irritation and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive system is designed with dynamic properties that allow it to accommodate skin movements and stretching without detaching the sensor. The adhesive maintains sufficient bond strength for stability while being flexible and breathable enough to prevent skin irritation during prolonged wear and physical activity.
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
Enables continuous, accurate biosignal monitoring over a long period while maintaining skin comfort by effectively managing moisture and air exchange, preventing adhesion issues and ensuring stable sensor attachment.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogel that has a lower portion making contact with the skin of the user and absorbs moisture from the skin of the user
Implementation Method 2
a hydrogel that has a lower portion making contact with the skin of the user and absorbs moisture from the skin of the user
Implementation Method 3
an elastic membrane making contact with an upper portion of the hydrogel. the elastic membrane may include at least one opening, and as the hydrogel increases in volume, the at least one opening may increase in perimeter
Implementation Method 4
the frame may include: a first unit frame; and a second unit frame, wherein a lower end portion on a side of the first frame may be an upper end portion on another side of the second unit frame. when the frame is subjected to tensile stress in a first direction parallel to a surface of the skin to which the sensor patch is attached, the frame may increase in length in the first direction and accordingly in a second direction which is parallel to the surface of the skin and perpendicular to the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sensor patch configured to be attached to the skin of a user. The sensor patch may include: at least one opening; and a frame surrounding the at least one opening, wherein the frame may include at least one senor configured to measure a biosignal of the user. Therefore, since the at least one sensor for measuring a biosignal is provided on the frame surrounding at least one opening, it may be possible to continuously obtain a biosignal of the user for a long period of time.