Transdermal Oxygen Patch Using Photoluminescent Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oxygen monitoring methods are bulky and power-intensive, making them unsuitable for portable or wearable devices, as they rely on electrochemical measurements that require heating elements and are not feasible for miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
A transdermal oxygen patch using a photoluminescent indicator and optical receptor to measure transcutaneous oxygen concentration based on the partial pressure of oxygen, employing a low-power LED and luminescent sensing film that emits light responsive to oxygen presence, with a wireless transmitter for continuous monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electrochemical oxygen monitoring methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device size and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrochemical sensing mechanisms with optical sensing using a photoluminescent indicator and optical detector. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky heating elements and electrochemical cells, enabling miniaturization while maintaining measurement precision through optical detection of oxygen concentration via phosphorescence quenching
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from electrochemical current to optical phosphorescence intensity and lifetime. By measuring the quenching of phosphorescence signal in response to oxygen concentration, the system achieves accurate oxygen monitoring with a compact optical design rather than requiring large electrochemical components
2Measurement precision
If conventional electrochemical oxygen monitoring methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases due to heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal heating mechanism with an optical excitation mechanism. Instead of using heat to enhance oxygen diffusion and enable electrochemical measurement, the system uses light to excite the photoluminescent indicator, eliminating continuous power consumption for heating while maintaining measurement precision through optical detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic pulsed illumination rather than continuous lighting to excite the phosphorescent sensor. The optical source emits light in pulses, and the system measures the phosphorescence decay characteristics during the dark periods, significantly reducing average power consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy through lifetime detection
3Volume of moving object
If a wearable oxygen sensor is implemented, then device portability is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to transcutaneous diffusion limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a photoluminescent indicator as an intermediary between the biological tissue and the optical detector. This indicator is positioned in close proximity to the tissue (either transdermally or in contact with tissue fluid), mediating the conversion of oxygen concentration information into an optical signal that can be detected with high precision, thereby compensating for the distance and diffusion limitations of wearable configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary tissue oxygenation through transcutaneous diffusion to establish a representative oxygen concentration at the sensing site. By allowing oxygen to diffuse through the skin and reach the photoluminescent indicator before measurement, the system ensures that the sensor measures the actual tissue oxygen status rather than ambient air oxygen, maintaining clinical relevance and measurement precision
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 continuous, low-power, and portable monitoring of oxygen levels, overcoming the limitations of conventional methods by providing a wearable and wireless solution that is safe and feasible for use on patients, including infants, without the need for heating elements.
Implementation Method 1
A photoluminescent indicator emits light responsive to an illuminating stimuli in a manner that varies with the presence of the diffused oxygen
Implementation Method 2
measuring transcutaneous oxygen upon diffusion through the epidermal surface
Implementation Method 3
the optical source emits light in a blue spectrum, and the photodetector is sensitive to light in a red spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
A transdermal oxygen patch measures an oxygen concentration based on transcutaneous oxygen diffusing through an epidermal surface of a patient. Transcutaneous oxygen differs from hemoglobin-bound oxygen often measured in a patient blood flow. The patch employs an indicator responsive to an oxygen presence for emitting light having an intensity and lifetime (duration) based on the oxygen presence. An optical receptor is in communication with logic for receiving the intensity of emitted light and computing the oxygen concentration based on the received intensity and lifetime (duration). A wireless transmitter conveys the results to a base station or monitoring counterpart for untethered patient monitoring. Low power demands and circuit footprint are amenable to a wearable device such as a patch for continuous use.