Skin-Conforming Electrode Composition for Stable Biosensor Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biocompatible polymer substrates used in biosensors are prone to peeling off from the skin due to folding or skin motion, leading to unstable electrical conductivity.
Innovation Solution
An electrode composed of a conductive polymer, binder resin, and plasticizing agent, with a specific ratio of plasticizing agent to conductive polymer in the surface layer, providing elasticity and maintaining electrical conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a biocompatible polymer substrate is used with a polymer layer affixed to skin, then biocompatibility and flexibility are improved, but the electrode peels off due to folding or skin motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer layer by incorporating specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amine groups) and controlling the ratio of plasticizing agent to conductive polymer (0.5 to 500.0) in the surface part. This compositional modification enhances both adhesion to skin and electrical conductivity simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between biocompatibility and adhesion stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrode structure combining conductive polymer, binder resin, and plasticizing agent in specific ratios. The surface part (within 1 μm from surface) has a controlled plasticizing agent to conductive polymer ratio that provides both flexibility for skin conformability and sufficient adhesion strength to prevent peeling during skin motion or folding.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electrode is made elastic to accommodate skin motion, then comfort and conformability are improved, but electrical conductivity becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a surface part (within 1 μm from surface) with specific compositional characteristics. The plasticizing agent to conductive polymer ratio in this surface layer is controlled to provide elasticity for skin conformability, while the underlying structure maintains sufficient conductivity. This localized compositional control allows the electrode to be elastic where needed while maintaining overall electrical conductivity stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the electrode material by controlling the plasticizing agent content (0.5 to 500.0 ratio to conductive polymer in surface part) and incorporating functional groups. These parameter changes enable the electrode to achieve both high elasticity for skin motion accommodation and stable electrical conductivity for reliable signal measurement.
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 electrode maintains stable electrical conductivity and elasticity, preventing peeling and ensuring consistent signal measurement even with skin motion.
Implementation Method 1
a ratio of a content of the plasticizing agent to a content of the conductive polymer being 0.5 to 500.0 in a surface part of the electrode located at less than or equal to 1 μm from a surface of the electrode
Implementation Method 2
an electrode contains a conductive polymer; a binder resin; and a plasticizing agent
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode according to the present invention contains a conductive polymer; a binder resin; and a plasticizing agent, wherein the electrode has a plate shape having a pair of principal surfaces parallel to each other, and wherein a ratio of a content of the plasticizing agent to a content of the conductive polymer being 0.5 to 500.0 in a surface part of the electrode located at less than or equal to 1 μm from a surface of the electrode.