Wearable Sweat Sensor Flow Passage With Heater for Long-Term Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices face issues with electrolyte ion fixation on sensors due to drying and re-dissolution during perspiration, affecting long-term perspiration component analysis.
Innovation Solution
A wearable sensor design with a flow passage, hydrophilic inner walls, and a heater to manage perspiration flow, preventing electrolyte ion fixation and enabling long-term analysis by vaporizing perspiration after measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If perspiration is continuously collected on the sensor for long-term monitoring, then measurement duration is extended, but electrolyte ions dry and fix on the sensor as salt, degrading measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of perspiration from liquid to vapor by controlling temperature parameters. The heater raises the temperature to vaporize perspiration after measurement, preventing salt fixation and restoring sensor functionality for continuous long-term monitoring without precision degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic cycles of perspiration collection followed by heating and vaporization. This periodic action allows the sensor to repeatedly measure electrolyte concentration and then clear accumulated salt, enabling extended measurement duration while maintaining measurement precision across multiple exercise and rest cycles
2Ease of operation
If perspiration is allowed to flow freely on the sensor surface, then measurement is simplified, but dried electrolyte ions fix on the sensor as salt, affecting subsequent measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful dried electrolyte ions from the sensor surface by vaporizing perspiration with a heater. This removal process eliminates salt fixation that would otherwise compromise measurement reliability, while the overall operation remains simple and automated
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual cleaning or complex mechanical removal mechanisms with thermal energy (heating) to vaporize and remove perspiration and salt. This substitution maintains ease of operation while significantly improving measurement reliability through automated salt removal
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 design reduces salt fixation on sensors, allowing continuous perspiration component analysis by adjusting perspiration flow and vaporizing excess perspiration, thereby enhancing analysis durability.
Implementation Method 1
a heater which is located in the base member in such a way as to enclose the flow passage
Implementation Method 2
at least an inner wall of the flow passage has hydrophilia
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable sensor includes: a base member which is worn on a body of a wearer; a hole-like flow passage which penetrates through the base member; a sensor part which detects a signal as to electrical characteristics of a solution inside the flow passage; and a heater which is located in the base member in such a way as to enclose the flow passage.