Skin-Adhesive Wearable Wing Structure for Long-Term Body Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices struggle to maintain adhesion to the human body for extended periods beyond 24 hours due to factors such as device shape, size, weight, flexibility, and rigidity, as well as environmental conditions and interactions with clothing.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a housing with flexible wings and electrodes, coated with adhesive on their bottom surfaces, allowing for long-term adhesion by using pressure-sensitive or hydrocolloid adhesives, and includes flaps and connector segments to enhance flexibility and mitigate forces, with a watertight enclosure for electronics to prevent dislocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive is applied to the entire bottom surface of the device, then adhesion strength is improved, but device flexibility and comfort are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is applied selectively to specific regions of the device bottom surface rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized adhesive application maintains flexibility in non-adhesive areas while providing sufficient adhesion strength at the adhesive regions, resolving the contradiction between strong adhesion and device flexibility.
2Strength
If device rigidity is increased to maintain structural integrity, then device strength is improved, but device ability to accommodate body movement is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into rigid and flexible segments or regions. The rigid portions provide structural integrity and housing for electronic components, while flexible portions accommodate body movement and conform to skin contours. This segmentation allows the device to maintain both strength and adaptability simultaneously.
3Quantity of substance
If device size is increased to include more functional components, then device functionality is improved, but device adhesion stability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components are integrated into a compact, unified device structure. By merging electrodes, electronic components, adhesive layers, and flexible substrates into a single integrated system, the device achieves enhanced functionality while maintaining a small overall size that preserves adhesion stability on the body surface.
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 enables devices to adhere to the body for extended periods by accommodating movement and environmental conditions, reducing the risk of dislocation and enhancing flexibility, thereby maintaining effective contact and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
An adhesive layer is provided for adhesion to a surface of the mammal. The adhesive layer is coated on a portion of the bottom surface of the wings.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device for long-term adhesion to a mammal includes a housing with an electronic component. The electronic device may include a first wing and a second wing, each being integrally formed with the housing. An electrode is positioned on a bottom surface of each of the wings, the electrodes electrically connected to the electronic component. An adhesive layer is provided for adhesion to a surface of the mammal. The adhesive layer may cover a portion of the bottom surfaces of the wings but generally does not cover the electrode or a bottom surface of the housing. A method of applying an electronic device to a mammal includes removing first and second adhesive covers from first and second wings of the electronic device to expose an electrode and an adhesive coated on a bottom surface of each wing.