Skin-Adhesive Wearable Device With Separable Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods of attaching medical devices to the skin or body are unstable, particularly in high humidity or active lifestyles, leading to detachment and inaccurate readings or medication loss, and lack effective anchoring and easy removal solutions.
Innovation Solution
A removable wearable device with a skin adhesive and an interface component that allows the durable component to separate from the adhesive upon application of a removal force, utilizing differential adhesive strengths and interface components for easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adhesive is used to attach medical devices to the skin, then the device can be removed from the body, but the attachment becomes unstable in high humidity or active lifestyles
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components: a durable component, a skin adhesive, and an interface component. The interface component acts as a separable link between the durable component and the skin adhesive, allowing the durable component to be removed while leaving the adhesive on the skin. This segmentation enables stable attachment during wear and easy removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface component serves as an intermediary element between the durable component and the skin adhesive. It provides a controlled separation point that allows the durable component to be detached from the adhesive without compromising the adhesive's ability to remain on the skin. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by enabling both stable attachment and easy removal.
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive is used to attach medical devices to the skin, then the device can be applied to the body, but the device cannot be easily removed thereafter
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into a durable component, skin adhesive, and interface component, the patent creates a system where the interface component can be deliberately separated. This segmentation allows the durable component to be easily removed from the adhesive after application, resolving the contradiction between easy application and easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface component is designed to be extracted or separated from the assembly. When removal is needed, the interface component can be taken out or detached, allowing the durable component to be removed from the skin adhesive without affecting the adhesive's integrity or requiring complex removal procedures.
3Reliability
If the device is made durable and stable, then accurate sensor readings can be obtained, but the device becomes difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a durable component (providing stability for accurate readings) and a skin adhesive (providing removable attachment). The interface component connects these two functions, allowing the durable component to maintain reading accuracy while enabling easy removal through separation at the interface component.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface component acts as an intermediary that decouples the durable component from the skin adhesive. This allows the durable component to provide stable readings without being permanently bonded to the skin, enabling easy removal while maintaining reading accuracy during the wear period.
4Strength
If the adhesive is made strong to maintain attachment, then the device remains stable on the body, but the device cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive system is segmented into the skin adhesive and the interface component. The skin adhesive maintains strong attachment to the skin, while the interface component provides a weaker, easily separable connection to the durable component. This segmentation allows strong adhesive strength for stability while enabling easy removal through separation at the interface component.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the adhesive system have different adhesive strengths. The skin adhesive portion maintains strong adhesion to the skin for stable attachment, while the interface component portion has reduced adhesion strength to enable easy removal. This local differentiation of adhesive quality resolves the contradiction between strong attachment and easy removal.
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 stable attachment and easy removal of medical devices, maintaining accurate sensor readings and consistent medication delivery, even in challenging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a skin adhesive configured to adhere to the skin
Implementation Method 2
The device separates at the interface component to remove the durable component from the skin adhesive upon application of a removal force to the device
Data Source
AI summary
Removable devices wearable on a user's skin and methods for using such devices are provided. An exemplary removable device includes a skin adhesive configured to adhere to the skin, a durable component, and an interface component interconnecting the durable component and the skin adhesive. The device separates at the interface component to remove the durable component from the skin adhesive upon application of a removal force to the device.