Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10631731-B2
Publication Date
2020-04-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
An actively-powered temperature data logger patch with wireless data communication includes a sealed, flexible battery configured to provide continuous electrical power, and a flexible circuit including a microprocessor, a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of a target subject, a wireless communication transmitter and an antenna. In one example, the temperature sensor is located at a first end of the patch, and the antenna is located at an opposite, second end of the patch. The patch is configured to conform to a curved surface of the target subject and includes an adhesive configured to be removably applied to skin of the patient. An external computing device is capable of receiving communication from the wireless communication transmitter of the patch via an electromagnetic field.
Core Innovation
The invention is an actively-powered temperature data logger patch with wireless data communication. The patch includes a sealed, flexible battery configured to provide continuous electrical power via first and second battery contacts, and a flexible circuit on a first substrate layer comprising a microprocessor, a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of a target subject, and a wireless communication transmitter with an antenna. First and second battery contact pads electrically couple the flexible circuit to the battery contacts to electrically power the microprocessor, wireless communication transmitter, and temperature sensor.
The microprocessor, temperature sensor, and wireless communication transmitter actively receive electrical power from the flexible battery to enable continuous obtaining of a plurality of temperature samples from the temperature sensor at a periodic time interval. The temperature sensor is located at the first end of the first substrate layer, while the antenna is located at the opposite second end. A second substrate layer comprising an adhesive is configured to be removably applied to a surface of the target subject, with the flexible battery and flexible circuit disposed between the first and second substrate layers.
The first substrate layer, flexible battery, flexible circuit, and second substrate layer are sufficiently flexible so the temperature data logger patch conforms to a curved or variable surface of the target subject. The patch is configured to flex and move together with movement of the target subject without degradation of the battery, circuit, or active operation thereof.
Claims Coverage
The claim coverage centers on 1 actively-powered flexible temperature data logger patch with wireless communication and conformal adhesion, with multiple inventive features related to flexible power, sensor and antenna placement, continuous periodic sampling, wireless transmission, and mechanical flexibility to avoid degradation. Dependent claim refinements further specify battery construction, skin-contact layers, power and sampling timing behavior, and data transmission handling.
Sealed flexible battery providing continuous electrical power
The patch includes a sealed, flexible battery configured to provide continuous electrical power via first and second battery contacts.
Flexible circuit with microprocessor, temperature sensor, and wireless transmitter
A flexible circuit is provided on a first substrate layer comprising a microprocessor, a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of a target subject, and a wireless communication transmitter and an antenna, with first and second battery contact pads electrically coupled to one of the first and second battery contacts to thereby electrically power the microprocessor, wireless communication transmitter, and temperature sensor.
Continuous periodic temperature sampling from a powered sensor
All of the microprocessor, temperature sensor, and wireless communication transmitter actively receive electrical power from the flexible battery to enable the microprocessor to continuously obtain a plurality of temperature samples from the temperature sensor at a periodic time interval.
Opposite-end placement of temperature sensor and antenna
The temperature sensor is located at the first end of the first substrate layer, and the antenna is located at the opposite second end of the first substrate layer.
Removably applied adhesive second substrate layer for skin contact
A second substrate layer comprising an adhesive configured to be removably applied to a surface of the target subject.
Conformal multi-layer flexibility without degradation
The flexible battery and flexible circuit are disposed between the first and second substrate layers, and all of the first substrate layer, flexible battery, flexible circuit, and second substrate layer are sufficiently flexible so that the temperature data logger patch is configured to conform to a curved or variable surface of the target subject and is able to flex and move together with movement of the target subject without degradation of the battery, circuit, or active operation thereof.
Cured or dried ink co-planar anode and cathode in the flexible battery
The flexible battery comprises an electromechanical cell whose anode and cathode comprise cured or dried ink provided in a co-planar arrangement.
Hydrogel second substrate covering and removably applied to skin
The patch includes a second substrate at least partially comprising a hydrogel arranged to cover the temperature sensor and be removably applied to a patient's skin.
Selective power to the temperature sensor during sampling
The microprocessor is configured to selectively provide electrical power to the temperature sensor only when the microprocessor is obtaining a temperature sample from the temperature sensor.
Dynamically adjusted sampling time interval
The adjustable time interval is dynamically adjusted by the microprocessor.
Wireless transmission of temperature samples to an external computing device
The microprocessor is configured to wirelessly transmit the plurality of temperature samples to an external computing device via the wireless communication transmitter and antenna.
Overall, the claim set centers on a conformable, actively-powered, sealed flexible patch that continuously obtains periodic temperature samples using a flexible circuit and a sealed flexible battery, while locating the temperature sensor and antenna on opposite ends and using a removably applied adhesive substrate. Dependent claims further narrow the structure and operation by specifying battery construction using cured or dried ink in a co-planar arrangement, hydrogel skin-contact covering, selective power to the sensor during sampling, dynamic adjustment of the sampling interval, and wireless transmission of the temperature samples to an external computing device.
Stated Advantages
Conforms to a curved or variable surface of the target subject.
Able to flex and move together with movement of the target subject without degradation of the battery, circuit, or active operation thereof.
Enables continuous obtaining of a plurality of temperature samples from the temperature sensor at a periodic time interval.
Provides wireless data communication by wirelessly transmitting temperature samples to an external computing device.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?