Sweat Sensing System Nebulization and Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sweat sensing systems face challenges in efficiently collecting and analyzing small volumes of sweat, particularly from individuals at rest, due to limitations in sample collection and presentation, leading to variable results and time delays in biomarker detection.
Innovation Solution
A sweat sensing system that uses a mesh to nebulize sweat droplets, which are then condensed on a sensing surface for biomarker analysis, enabling the processing of small sweat volumes and reducing time delays in detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If absorbent pads are used to collect sweat, then sweat collection is simplified, but time delays occur and results become variable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts sweat directly from the skin surface using microneedles that penetrate the stratum corneum to access sweat glands, eliminating the need for absorbent pads and intermediate collection steps. This direct extraction approach removes the time delay associated with pad absorption and transport while maintaining ease of operation through a simple wearable patch design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces microneedles as an intermediary mechanism between the skin and the sensor, enabling direct sweat sampling without the intermediary absorbent pad. The microneedles act as a mediator that penetrates the skin barrier and delivers sweat directly to the sensing elements, thereby eliminating the time-consuming absorption and transport steps while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If large sweat volumes are collected in bags or textiles, then sampling is easier, but correlation with blood biomarkers is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts minute volumes of sweat directly from sweat glands through microneedles, collecting samples in micro-capillaries rather than large bags or textiles. This direct extraction method preserves the original sweat composition and biomarker concentrations, enabling accurate correlation with blood biomarkers while maintaining ease of sampling through a simple wearable device.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by targeting specific sweat glands through microneedles and collecting sweat in localized micro-capillaries near the collection site. This localized collection approach preserves the spatial and temporal characteristics of sweat production, maintaining biomarker correlation accuracy while keeping the sampling process simple and integrated into the wearable patch.
3Quantity of substance
If sweat is collected under normal conditions, then production is minimal, but processing small volumes is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of sweat collection by using microneedles to penetrate the skin barrier and access sweat glands directly, enabling collection of minimal sweat volumes under normal physiological conditions. The micro-capillary system is specifically designed to efficiently handle and transport these tiny volumes, maintaining high processing efficiency despite the reduced quantity of sweat available during non-exercise states.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs capillary hydraulic principles to automatically draw and transport minimal sweat volumes through micro-capillaries from the collection site to the sensor. This passive hydraulic system requires no external power or active pumping, yet efficiently processes the small sweat volumes produced under normal conditions, maintaining high productivity without adding system complexity.
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
This system allows for fast and semi-continuous sensing of biomarkers in sweat, even from individuals with low sweat production rates, by efficiently processing small volumes of sweat and reducing the time delay between sweat excretion and measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration system for vibrating the mesh to provide oscillation adapted to nebulize sweat droplets
Implementation Method 2
a condensing unit for condensing the nebulized sweat droplets on a sensing surface
Data Source
AI summary
A sweat sensing system comprises a mesh for location over a sweat surface on which sweat is formed or collected, and a vibration system for vibrating the mesh to nebulize sweat droplets. The nebulized sweat droplets are condensed on a sensing surface, and a sweat sensor performs biomarker sensing of the sweat at the sensing surface.