Woven Fabric Moisture Sensor for Extracorporeal Blood Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moisture detection devices for monitoring vascular access in extracorporeal blood treatment have limited sensitivity and are not cost-effective for large-scale production, with known designs relying on absorbent pads with embedded moisture sensors that are not highly sensitive and require additional conductive materials for electrical conductivity.
Innovation Solution
A textile-based moisture detection device with a two-dimensionally extending woven fabric that incorporates both conductive and non-conductive warp and weft threads, forming an electrically conductive structure through spatial separation, allowing for high sensitivity and biocompatibility while being cost-effective to produce in large quantities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If absorbent pads with embedded moisture sensors are used, then moisture detection is enabled, but sensitivity is limited and additional conductive materials are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the moisture-absorbing function and the electrical conduction function into a single integrated textile structure. The conductive yarn is embedded within the absorbent fabric matrix, creating a unified component that performs both functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate conductive materials and enhancing sensitivity through direct contact between the absorbent material and sensor elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by integrating conductive yarn (providing electrical conductivity) with absorbent fabric material (providing moisture absorption). This composite structure allows the device to leverage the complementary properties of both materials, achieving high sensitivity moisture detection while maintaining structural integrity and eliminating the need for additional separate conductive components.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional moisture detection devices are used, then basic monitoring is achieved, but they are not cost-effective for large-scale production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the moisture detection device as a disposable single-use component that can be manufactured at low cost using conventional textile production methods. The integrated conductive yarn and absorbent fabric structure allows for efficient mass production through standard weaving or knitting processes, making the device economically viable for large-scale application in extracorporeal blood treatment while maintaining adequate sensitivity for safety monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If integrated conductive and absorbent structure is used, then sensitivity is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal textile structure that simultaneously performs multiple functions: moisture absorption, electrical conduction, and structural support. The conductive yarn is designed to be integrated directly into the absorbent fabric using conventional textile manufacturing techniques, allowing the same production infrastructure to manufacture the integrated device without requiring separate assembly processes for different functional components, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving enhanced sensitivity.
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 achieves high sensitivity and wearer comfort with enhanced biocompatibility, allowing for efficient detection of moisture, reducing the risk of cannula dislodgment during extracorporeal blood treatments, and can be produced in large numbers using conventional weaving processes.
Implementation Method 1
a two-dimensionally extending woven fabric which comprises conductive and non-conductive warp and weft threads (50, 60) which are disposed in such a way that an electrically conductive structure is formed
Data Source
AI summary
A device for detecting moisture for use with a device for monitoring an access to a patient for an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus is described. The device for detecting moisture is constituted as a two-dimensionally extending fabric to be placed on the patient's skin, having an electrically conductive structure as a moisture sensor and constituted by non-conductive and conductive warp and weft threads configured to produce in the woven fabric a defined electrically conductive structure through spatial separation of the warp and weft threads. By the use of conductive warp and weft threads, an electrically conductive structure can be constituted having sections running in different directions, thereby creating a moisture sensor exhibiting a particularly high degree of sensitivity. The electrically conductive structure is preferably terminated with a terminating resistor, preferably not a component part but rather part of a connection part of the device, so that production is simplified.