Tissue-Mounted Photonic Systems for Conformal Biometric Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable electronics and photonics systems lack effective methods for long-term, mechanically robust conformal integration with tissues for diverse applications in physiological and environmental sensing, particularly in providing spatially and temporally resolved sensing modalities without adverse physical effects.
Innovation Solution
Development of tissue-mounted photonic systems with flexible and stretchable device architectures, incorporating photonic structures on soft elastomeric substrates for conformal contact, enabling spatial and temporal characterization of tissue and environmental properties using colorimetric, fluorometric, and spectroscopic responses, compatible with optical readout via mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional body worn devices are used, then device functionality is provided, but mechanical robustness and conformal integration with tissue surface are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible and stretchable substrates with low effective modulus and small thickness to enable the device to conform to the curvilinear and time-varying surface of the skin. The substrate is designed with mechanical properties that allow it to stretch and deform with tissue movement while maintaining structural integrity, achieving both mechanical robustness and conformal integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates stretchable electronic and photonic components that can dynamically adapt to tissue deformation. The system maintains functional integrity during stretching and bending cycles, allowing the device to transition between different mechanical states while preserving electrical and optical connectivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If device thickness is reduced for conformal contact, then mechanical compliance improves, but structural strength and durability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes composite material structures combining flexible substrates with reinforced patterns. The substrate integrates soft elastomeric materials with strategically placed structural elements that provide mechanical strength while maintaining overall flexibility. This composite approach enables the thin device to withstand repeated stretching and bending without failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into multiple functional layers and modular components that can independently accommodate deformation. The segmented structure allows each layer to optimize its mechanical properties, with thinner regions providing compliance and thicker or reinforced regions providing structural support where needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stretchable materials are used for conformal contact, then adaptability to tissue movement improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal stretchable interconnect structures that serve multiple functions: providing mechanical flexibility, maintaining electrical connectivity, and enabling photonic signal transmission. These multi-functional components reduce the overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate flexible cables, connectors, and routing structures.
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 systems achieve robust and convenient optical sensing modalities with minimal adverse effects, allowing for long-term deployment and accurate characterization of tissue and environmental parameters, including temperature, hydration, and chemical composition, through conformal contact and flexible integration.
Implementation Method 1
Tissue-mounted photonic systems of some embodiments include colorimetric, fluorometric and/or spectroscopic photonics structures provided in pixelated array formats
Implementation Method 2
Tissue-mounted photonic systems of some embodiments include colorimetric, fluorometric and/or spectroscopic photonics structures provided in pixelated array formats
Implementation Method 3
Tissue-mounted photonic systems of some embodiments include colorimetric, fluorometric and/or spectroscopic photonics structures provided in pixelated array formats
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides systems and methods for tissue-mounted photonics. Devices of some embodiments implement photonic sensing and actuation in flexible and/stretchable device architectures compatible with achieving long term, mechanically robust conformal integration with a range of tissue classes, including in vivo biometric sensing for internal and external tissues. Tissue-mounted photonic systems of some embodiments include colorimetric, fluorometric and/or spectroscopic photonics sensors provided in pixelated array formats on soft, elastomeric substrates to achieve spatially and/or or temporally resolved sensing of tissue and/or environmental properties, while minimize adverse physical effects to the tissue. Tissue-mounted photonic systems of some embodiments enable flexible passive or active optical sensing modalities, including sensing compatible with optical readout using a mobile electronic devices such as a mobile phone or tablet computer.