Stretchable Adherent Patch With Gel Pockets For Skin Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current physiologic monitoring devices are uncomfortable and prone to detachment from the skin, leading to incomplete data collection and reduced patient compliance due to adhesive issues, which is a challenge for long-term monitoring of patients and other subjects.
Innovation Solution
A stretchable adherent device with a base layer, adhesive coating, and a covering layer that includes gel pockets to secure electrodes and electronic components, allowing for extended wear while maintaining electrical conductivity and flexibility to conform to the skin's movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If adhesive is used to attach monitoring device to skin, then device can be worn comfortably, but adhesive detaches sooner than ideal reducing wear duration
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is segmented into multiple discrete adhesive pads distributed across the device surface, each independently attached to the skin. This segmentation allows each pad to maintain optimal contact and bonding without the constraints of a single large adhesive area, extending overall wear duration while preserving comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional adhesive layer to a three-dimensional structure with protruding adhesive pads that create vertical dimensionality. This dimensional change allows the adhesive to conform to skin topography and maintain contact during movement, preventing detachment while preserving comfort.
2Measurement precision
If electrodes are positioned across midline for impedance measurements, then transthoracic measurements can be obtained, but device becomes uncomfortable and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates flexible, stretchable materials that allow the electrode configuration to dynamically adapt to the patient's body movements and skin topography. This dynamic flexibility maintains proper electrode-skin contact for accurate impedance measurements while eliminating the rigidity that causes discomfort and cumbersome wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses flexible substrates and thin-film structures to accommodate the electrode positioning requirements for transthoracic measurements. These flexible components conform to the patient's chest contour and maintain electrical contact during movement, providing accurate measurements without the discomfort of rigid positioning.
3Reliability
If adhesive coating is applied to base layer, then device can adhere to skin, but adhesive fails during normal activities reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs composite material structures combining the adhesive layer with flexible substrates and protruding elements. This composite construction allows the adhesive to maintain reliable bonding during normal activities by accommodating skin movement and stretching without failing, while preserving consistent skin contact for continuous monitoring.
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 provides secure, long-term attachment and comfortable monitoring, reducing data loss and patient discomfort by maintaining consistent skin contact and preventing adhesive failure, even during normal activities.
Implementation Method 1
at least two gels, each gel having a size larger than the size of the at least two openings to retain said gel substantially within said pocket
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive coating on the lower side to adhere the base layer to the skin of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
In one configuration, an adherent device to adhere to a skin of a subject includes a stretchable base layer having an upper side and a lower side and an adhesive coating on the lower side to adhere the base layer to the skin of the subject. The base layer has at least two openings extending therethrough, each of the at least two openings having a size. The adherent device also includes a stretchable covering layer positioned above and adhered to the base layer with an adhesive to define at least two pockets. The adherent device also includes at least two gels, each gel having a size larger than the size of openings to retain the gel substantially within the pocket, and a circuit carrier supported with the stretchable base layer to measure at least one physiologic signal of the subject. Other configurations and methods are also claimed.