Wearable Electrochemical Sensor for Continuous Nitric Oxide Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for measuring nitric oxide (NO) in humans and animals are limited to indirect or delayed measurements, primarily conducted in medical environments, and are not suitable for continuous monitoring in everyday life, especially under varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A wearable apparatus that directly and continuously measures NO in biological fluids, such as sweat, using an electrochemical sensor secured to the skin, which includes a fibrous body to bring the biological liquid to the sensor and a filter to prevent external interference, allowing for real-time detection and monitoring of NO levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If indirect or delayed measurement methods are used, then measurement reliability is improved, but measurement timeliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces indirect mechanical measurement systems with direct electrochemical sensing. The electrochemical sensor directly detects NO in sweat, eliminating the need for indirect measurement methods and delayed analysis, thus achieving both high reliability and immediate results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sweat as an intermediary medium to access NO production. By measuring NO dissolved in sweat at the skin surface, the system obtains direct real-time data without needing to access internal biological fluids, resolving the contradiction between measurement reliability and timeliness.
2Loss of time
If direct continuous measurement is implemented, then measurement timeliness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible wearable device with thin film structure that can be applied to the skin. This simplified form factor enables direct continuous measurement without complex laboratory equipment, thus improving timeliness while keeping device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes the body's own sweat as the measurement medium, eliminating the need for external fluid collection systems or complex sampling apparatus. This self-service approach simplifies the device structure while enabling continuous direct measurement.
3Reliability
If measurement is conducted in medical environment only, then measurement reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement device that functions across multiple environments (medical clinics, home, exercise settings). The wearable electrochemical sensor design allows reliable NO measurement regardless of location, thus improving adaptability while maintaining measurement reliability through consistent electrochemical detection principles.
4Measurement precision
If electrochemical sensor is secured to skin, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible wearable platform with adhesive properties that simplifies application to the skin. This flexible thin-film structure maintains close contact for precise electrochemical detection while being easy to apply and remove, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and 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
Enables immediate and continuous NO measurement in everyday life, facilitating the detection of physiological or pathophysiological states, prediction of diseases, and monitoring of therapeutic efficacy, regardless of environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a sensitive element, which ensures the detection of NO by means of an electrochemical sensor
Implementation Method 2
a fibrous body to bring the biological liquid to the sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
The method of the invention makes it possible to identify a physiological state on a subject by studying his or her NO emission curve measured by a sensitive element 5 on his or her epidermis during a predefined sequence of activity.