Skin-Mimicking Adhesive Test Surface With Controlled Perspiration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current substrates used for testing adhesives lack the mechanical and moisture properties of skin, necessitating a device that can emulate various skin conditions for accurate adhesive evaluation.

Innovation Solution

A tunable skin-mimicking device is developed, comprising a body formed from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with conduits for simulating skin perspiration and evaporative water loss, and optionally including fluid reservoirs and pumps to control fluid flow, mimicking conditions such as sweat and stoma effluent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional substrates (polymer, metal, glass) are used for adhesive testing, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the substrate lacks skin-like mechanical and moisture properties leading to inaccurate adhesive performance evaluation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive performance evaluation accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a skin-mimicking device that copies the mechanical and moisture properties of human skin using a multi-layer structure. The device includes a outer layer made of hydrophilic polymer to simulate skin surface, an inner layer of hydrophobic polymer to mimic subcutaneous tissue, and integrated conduits to replicate sweat glands and moisture barrier functions. This copying approach enables accurate adhesive testing while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs composite material construction combining hydrophilic polymer (outer layer) and hydrophobic polymer (inner layer) to replicate skin's dual-layer structure. The outer layer mimics skin surface properties for moisture interaction, while the inner layer provides structural support and elasticity. This composite approach achieves skin-like properties without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the skin-mimicking device includes fluid reservoirs and pumps to control perspiration, then the device can simulate various skin conditions accurately, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin condition simulation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the skin simulation function into independent components: fluid reservoirs for sweat storage, pumps for controlled delivery, and conduits for fluid transport. Each component can be manufactured separately and assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while enabling versatile skin condition simulation through independent control of each segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates adjustable fluid flow rates through controllable pumps and variable conduit designs, allowing dynamic simulation of different skin conditions (normal perspiration, excessive sweating, dehydration). This dynamic capability provides adaptability without requiring complex manufacturing, as the same basic structure can serve multiple simulation scenarios through parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the device uses polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material, then the mechanical and moisture properties closely resemble human skin, but the material cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin property simulation accuracyVSAvoidmaterial and structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies PDMS material specifically in regions where skin-like properties are most critical for adhesive testing, such as the outer skin layer and areas requiring moisture barrier simulation. Other non-critical components may use simpler materials, reducing overall device complexity and cost while maintaining high reliability in the skin simulation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 device allows for more accurate testing of adhesives by simulating skin properties, improving the evaluation of adhesives' performance under varying moisture and mechanical conditions, reducing skin irritation, and enhancing ostomy care.

Implementation Method 1

The body may be formed from polydimethylsiloxane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

simulating skin perspiration and evaporative water loss

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a plurality of conduits defining a plurality of fluid paths to an outer surface of the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS12475810B2Skin simulating device for testing adhesives

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 HOLLISTER INCORPORAED

AI summary

A skin-mimicking device includes a body and a plurality of conduits defining a plurality of fluid paths to an outer surface of the body. The skin-mimicking device is configured to simulate various skin perspiration conditions by controlling a flow rate of a sweat mimicking fluid through the plurality of conduits as well as simulate the mechanical properties of skin by tuning a composition of the body.