Flexible sensor apparatus
US10161737B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 2015 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2562/164
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor apparatus including a flexible substrate and a wrinkled conductor disposed on the flexible substrate. In some embodiments, the conductor includes micro-scale invaginations. Also disclosed are methods of making a sensor apparatus, including: placing a mask over a polymeric sheet, wherein the mask is configured to block regions of the polymeric sheet, depositing a conductive structure on the polymeric sheet at regions exposed through the mask, shrinking the polymeric sheet with conductive structure patterned on its surface by heating, and transferring the conductive structure to a flexible substrate. Also disclosed are methods of sensing a health condition of a user or patient. The methods include coupling a sensor apparatus to a surface of a user or patient overlying structures to be monitored. The sensor apparatus may include a crumpled conductor capable of detecting strain. Strain is detected by directing current through the sensor apparatus during flexing of the surface and measuring a characteristic of the sensor apparatus based on the strain to generate an output for a user, indicative of the condition of the user or patient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.