Flexible Wetness Sensor With Hinge Conductors for Dialysis Blood Leaks

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Solution Overview

Problem

During dialysis treatment, the dislodgement of venous access needles can lead to unmonitored blood loss as the arterial access needle continues to draw blood without returning it, posing a risk to the patient.

Innovation Solution

A flexible medical wetness sensing device with deflectable electrical conductors, integrated with a hinge mechanism, detects the presence of medical fluid, such as blood, and wirelessly communicates this information to a dialysis machine to alert operators of leaks, allowing for immediate corrective action.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wired connection is used to transmit sensing data, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and patient mobility are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the transmission function from the physical connection by using wireless communication (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) to transmit sensing data from the wearable device to the dialysis machine, eliminating the need for wired connections while maintaining data transmission reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with an electromagnetic wireless communication system, allowing data transmission without physical contact between the wearable sensor and the dialysis machine

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If the sensing device is made rigid for structural stability, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to body contours is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to body contours

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic flexibility to the wearable sensing device, allowing it to adapt its shape to body contours while maintaining structural integrity through flexible circuit board technology and elastic wearable components that can deform with body movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses flexible circuit boards and thin film sensors that can conform to curved body surfaces, enabling the device to adapt to various body contours while maintaining electrical connectivity and sensing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If wireless communication is implemented, then patient mobility is improved, but energy consumption is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient mobilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic or event-triggered wireless transmission rather than continuous transmission, where data is sent periodically or when significant changes are detected, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining patient mobility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses low-power wireless communication protocols and energy-efficient transmitters designed for wearable applications, minimizing energy consumption while enabling wireless data transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 effectively detects and alerts for blood leaks, reducing patient risk by enabling timely intervention and preventing excessive blood loss without the need for wired connections, ensuring patient safety and treatment continuity.

Implementation Method 1

The controller is configured to detect a presence or an absence of a medical fluid electrically connecting the first and second electrical conductors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12582757B2Medical wetness sensing devices and related systems and methods

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

A medical wetness sensing device includes a base adapted to be disposed on a wearer of the medical wetness sensing device. The base includes a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor electrically insulated from the first electrical conductor. The first electrical conductor includes a hinge portion enabling a first portion of the first electrical conductor to deflect, at the hinge portion, relative to a second portion of the first electrical conductor. The medical wetness sensing device includes a controller electrically connected to the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor. The controller is configured to detect a presence or an absence of a medical fluid electrically connecting the first and second electrical conductors.