Transepidermal Water Loss Sensor with Inclination Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transepidermal water loss measurement methods using closed chambers suffer from measurement errors due to fluctuations in internal pressure caused by skin temperature, leading to inaccurate results, especially when the chamber is not properly used by general users.
Innovation Solution
A transepidermal water loss measurement device with a closed cylindrical chamber that includes a pressure-adjusting ventilation unit and a water content measurement unit, which detects humidity and inclination angles to self-calibrate and correct measurements, maintaining constant pressure and density within the chamber, and a mobile communication system to share accurate data for skin care.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a closed chamber is used to measure transepidermal water loss, then measurement precision is improved, but internal pressure fluctuation causes measurement error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detected inclination angle is fed back to a correction unit that automatically adjusts the measurement results. The humidity sensor continuously monitors chamber conditions, and the correction unit applies real-time corrections based on the detected inclination, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains measurement accuracy despite chamber movement or pressure changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from raw humidity values to corrected transepidermal water loss values that account for inclination angle effects. By introducing the inclination angle as an additional measured parameter and using it to transform the humidity data into corrected measurements, the system compensates for pressure fluctuations and maintains reliability across different chamber orientations.
2Measurement precision
If the closed chamber is placed on skin at body temperature, then transepidermal water loss measurement is enabled, but internal temperature rise causes pressure increase and measurement error
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a temperature sensor to continuously monitor the internal chamber temperature and feeds this information back to the correction unit. The correction unit then applies temperature-based corrections to the humidity measurements, compensating for the effects of thermal expansion and pressure changes caused by body heat, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite temperature rise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature as an additional measured parameter and transforms the measurement system from monitoring only humidity to monitoring both temperature and humidity. This parameter expansion allows the correction unit to calculate compensated transepidermal water loss values that account for temperature-induced pressure changes, converting the thermal challenge into a correctable measurement variable.
3Ease of operation
If the closed chamber is held at an inclination angle, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to pressure change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static measurement system that assumes fixed chamber orientation to a dynamic system that continuously detects and adapts to changing inclination angles. The inclination sensor and real-time correction mechanism allow the system to maintain measurement precision whether the chamber is held horizontally, vertically, or at any intermediate angle, making the device adaptable to various user positions and application scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system expands its measured parameters to include inclination angle detection, and uses this additional parameter to transform the measurement output. By incorporating inclination angle as a correction factor, the system converts measurements taken at any orientation into standardized transepidermal water loss values, effectively decoupling measurement precision from chamber orientation and greatly improving ease of operation.
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 improves measurement accuracy and reliability by compensating for errors caused by inclination and temperature changes, providing users with precise transepidermal water loss data for effective skin care through a mobile communication network.
Implementation Method 1
a humidity sensor that detects humidity and a humidity change inside the closed chamber
Implementation Method 2
an acceleration sensor that detects an inclination or measurement angle of the closed chamber
Implementation Method 3
a pressure-adjusting ventilation unit having a predetermined area (two-dimensional size) and thickness on an outer wall surface of the closed chamber to adjust a pressure gradient and a density gradient inside the closed chamber in accordance with a pressure difference and a density difference between an inside space and an outside space of the closed chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A transepidermal water loss measurement device includes a cylindrical closed chamber having a closed end and an open end to come into contact with the skin at a position at which a rate of water loss is to be measured and a transepidermal water loss measurement unit that measures a rate of transepidermal water loss of the skin by detecting levels of humidity and changes in humidity level in the closed chamber.