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Publication Number
US-9693689-B2
Publication Date
2017-07-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
An actively-powered temperature data logger patch with wireless data communication includes a sealed, flexible battery comprising a printed electrochemical cell with an anode and a cathode, 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 relates to an actively-powered temperature data logger patch that provides continuous electrical power using sealed, flexible batteries and enables continuous temperature logging with wireless data communication while worn on a target subject. The patch includes a first substrate layer and a second substrate layer with adhesive configured to be removably applied to a surface of the target subject, so that the patch is sufficiently flexible to conform to a curved or variable surface and flex with movement without degradation of the batteries, circuit, or active operation thereof.
The patch uses a plurality of sealed, flexible batteries in a parallel arrangement, where each battery comprises a printed electrochemical cell having an anode and cathode provided in a co-planar arrangement and an aqueous electrolyte layer covering and in electrical contact with the anode and cathode. A flexible circuit disposed with the batteries and between the substrate layers includes a microprocessor, a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of a target subject, a wireless communication transmitter and an antenna, and contact pads electrically coupled to corresponding contacts of the plurality of flexible batteries.
Operationally, the microprocessor, temperature sensor, and wireless communication transmitter actively receive electrical power from the flexible batteries to continuously obtain temperature samples at a periodic time interval. A switch activates the microprocessor to an operational power state only when a user intends to begin use of the patch, thereby enabling the active electrical power to the microprocessor, temperature sensor, and wireless communication transmitter only in that intended use window.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim that defines the actively-powered temperature data logger patch with sealed flexible printed electrochemical batteries, a flexible electronics inlay, wireless communication, user-activated power state control, and conformable/removably adhesive mounting. The dependent claims further specify power switching architecture, sampling power limitations, wireless protocol, and timer/memory sampling and identification.
Actively powered conformable temperature data logger patch with wireless data communication
An actively-powered temperature data logger patch with wireless data communication includes first and second substrate layers, removable skin-contact adhesive, flexible batteries and flexible circuit disposed between the substrate layers, and sufficient flexibility so the patch conforms to a curved or variable surface and flexes with movement of the target subject without degradation of batteries, circuit, or active operation.
Sealed flexible batteries as printed co-planar electrochemical cells with aqueous electrolyte
A plurality of sealed, flexible batteries in a parallel arrangement provide continuous electrical power, each battery comprising a printed electrochemical cell with an anode and a cathode provided in a co-planar arrangement and an aqueous electrolyte layer covering and in electrical contact with the anode and cathode.
Flexible circuit with microprocessor, temperature sensor, and wireless transmitter powered by contact pads
A flexible circuit comprises a microprocessor, a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of a target subject, a wireless communication transmitter and an antenna, and a plurality of contact pads electrically coupled to corresponding contacts of the plurality of flexible batteries to thereby electrically power the microprocessor, wireless communication transmitter, and temperature sensor.
Continuous periodic temperature sampling enabled by active power delivery
All of the microprocessor, temperature sensor, and wireless communication transmitter actively receive electrical power from the flexible batteries to enable the microprocessor to continuously obtain a plurality of temperature samples from the temperature sensor at a periodic time interval.
User-activated switch to enable active operation only when intended
A switch used to activate the microprocessor to an operational power state and thereby enable the active electrical power to the microprocessor, temperature sensor, and wireless communication transmitter only when a user intends to begin use of the patch.
Latching power circuit for reduced power state to operational power state
A latching power circuit connects to the switch and transitions the microprocessor from a reduced power state to an operational power state upon actuation of the switch.
Momentary switch activation
The switch is a momentary switch.
Microprocessor powers the temperature sensor only during sampling
The microprocessor provides electrical power to the temperature sensor only while the temperature sensor is taking a temperature sample.
Wireless communication transmitter using Bluetooth or Bluetooth low-energy protocol
The wireless communication transmitter uses a standard Bluetooth or Bluetooth low-energy communications protocol.
Timer and memory storing periodic temperature samples with numerical identifiers
The microprocessor includes a power-receiving timer to periodically read temperature samples from the temperature sensor and a non-transitory memory to store the samples with an associated numerical identifier for each sample.
Across the independent and dependent claims, the inventive scope is centered on a conformable, disposable patch that uses sealed flexible printed electrochemical batteries with co-planar anode/cathode and aqueous electrolyte to power a flexible microprocessor-based electronics circuit. The claims further define continuous periodic temperature sampling with wireless transmission, and user-activated activation of the microprocessor to an operational power state, optionally using a latching power circuit, momentary switch, sampling-time sensor power, and timer/memory with numerical sample identifiers.
Stated Advantages
Configured to conform to a curved or variable surface of the target subject and flex with movement without degradation of the batteries, circuit, or active operation thereof.
Enables continuous temperature sampling at a periodic time interval while the patch is in an operational power state.
Allows active electrical power to the microprocessor, temperature sensor, and wireless communication transmitter only when a user intends to begin use of the patch.
Documented Applications
Monitoring and logging temperature of a target subject using a temperature data logger patch that includes wireless data communication.
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