Sensor-Integrated Wound Substrate Layout for Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wound monitoring and treatment systems lack real-time sensor data collection, relying heavily on visual inspection, which can obscure underlying tissue damage and fail to monitor musculoskeletal functions, and are not reliable or safe for use on human or animal tissue.
Innovation Solution
A flexible substrate with conductive tracks and sensors is designed to maintain electrical signal integrity while allowing fluid passage, incorporating different types of sensors and conductive materials like silver ink to ensure reliable data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a flexible substrate with conductive tracks and sensors is used for wound monitoring, then real-time data collection capability is improved, but the risk of compromising electrical signal integrity and patient safety increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing specific design rules for conductive track geometry (width, spacing, routing patterns) and material properties to optimize electrical signal transmission. These parameter optimizations ensure that the flexible substrate maintains reliable electrical connectivity while enabling real-time sensor data collection, thus resolving the contradiction between information gathering and signal integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the substrate is made flexible to conform to wound surfaces, then ease of operation and patient comfort are improved, but manufacturing precision and electrical connection reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible shells and thin films by utilizing a flexible substrate base material that inherently provides both mechanical flexibility for patient comfort and a stable platform for precise electrical connections. This approach allows the substrate to conform to wound surfaces while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled material selection and design rules for electrical track placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the physical and electrical properties of the flexible substrate material, including its flexibility modulus, thickness, and conductive track geometry. These parameter optimizations ensure that the substrate maintains both flexibility for patient comfort and sufficient structural integrity for reliable electrical connections, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and manufacturing precision.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors of different types are integrated on the substrate, then measurement precision and monitoring capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a flexible substrate platform that can accommodate multiple types of sensors (optical, electrical, mechanical) through standardized mounting interfaces and conductive track configurations. This multi-functional design allows diverse sensors to be integrated on a single substrate without proportionally increasing complexity, as the underlying electrical and mechanical infrastructure serves multiple sensing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing design rules that optimize the layout, spacing, and routing of conductive tracks based on the specific requirements of different sensor types. These parameter optimizations allow multiple sensors to be integrated efficiently on the substrate, managing complexity through systematic electrical design while maintaining high measurement precision across all sensor modalities.
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 real-time sensor-driven data collection from wounds and underlying tissues, ensuring reliable and safe monitoring and treatment without impediment, facilitating improved wound healing and tissue monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a first conductive track configured to be connected to a first sensor, the first track having a first minimum width to maintain integrity of an electrical signal conducted by the first conductive track
Implementation Method 2
positioned on portions of the substrate that are not configured to be perforated with a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings configured to allow fluid to pass through the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of manufacturing a wound monitoring and/or therapy apparatus and/or wound dressing include positioning electronic components and connections in regions of a substrate that are not configured to be perforated. The methods can also include following a set of rules for positioning the components as well as positioning and shaping the connections based on the constraints stemming from, among other things, the positioning of the perforations on the substrate and with the goal of maintaining acceptable levels of signal integrity. The methods further include manufacturing a multi-layered substrate. Wound monitoring and/or therapy apparatus manufactured using such methods are also disclosed.