IT202100002105A1 - FLEXIBLE DEVICE FOR BIO-MONITORING AND METHOD OF PRODUCTION OF THE SAME - Google Patents

Description

FLEXIBLE DEVICE FOR BIO-MONITORING AND METHOD OF

PRODUCTION OF THE SAME

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a flexible device for biomonitoring and a method of manufacturing the same.

Pi? in particular, the invention concerns a device configured to be installed on objects and/or tools, or portions thereof, so as to remain in contact with the body of a user, or at least with a portion thereof, in order to monitor physiological data or parameters.

In the context of the recent development and widespread commercial diffusion of connected devices, intelligent products and services and technologies for the Internet of Things (Internet of Things), c?? a growing need to monitor the activities? physiological characteristics of a user.

For example, numerous types of devices are known which are capable of carrying out bio-monitoring of a user, by acquiring and analyzing bio-signals captured by the user's body.

Usually, this bio-monitoring has as its objective the generation of information on the user?s health starting from one or more physiological parameters measured in a period more? or shorter.

By way of example, portable devices for medical diagnostics or other applications in the wellness and health field are mentioned.

Additionally, by means of current technology ? It is possible to make biomonitoring devices interact with hardware and/or software tools, in the context of the so-called human-computer interaction.

For example, think about the activity? of driving of vehicles, that ? an area in which systems are being introduced for the detection of tiredness and/or states of psycho-physical alteration (driving fatigue detection), with the aim of improving safety.

Currently, these detection methods while driving vehicles are implemented through the measurement of the user?s external physical response, for example through the recognition of facial expressions.

Alternatively, can be operated a direct measurement of some physiological parameters through the acquisition of bio-signals, such as heart rate, activity? electrical analysis of the skin, respiratory rate, muscle electromyography, electroencephalography, body temperature.

Changes in these physiological parameters, processed through highly specific algorithms, represent extremely accurate methodologies for detecting tiredness and/or any states of psycho-physical alteration.

Current biomonitoring devices have some drawbacks.

A first drawback derives from the fact that the sensors and the hardware systems integrated in the bio-monitoring devices are made with expensive technologies.

A second drawback? caused by the fact that the tools and objects with which the user interacts to perform a certain action permanently integrate the bio-monitoring devices, which are therefore integral with the objects and cannot be removed.

Known devices, in fact, require hardware components, for their operation, and dedicated software architectures, for data processing, having extremely specific characteristics for each device.

There? intrinsically represents a limit to the integration of devices with the connected environments of the Internet of Things in which they operate, and to the exploitation of the potential? that these environments offer.

Consequently, the development and diffusion of the same devices, in increasingly more and more fields of application? large, are consequently slowed down.

? clear, then, the need? to equip currently existing connected objects, products and technologies for the Internet of Things with devices for bio-monitoring capable of adapting to the environment of use and to the user, both in terms of hardware and in terms of software view.

Objective of the present invention? that of solving the aforementioned drawbacks by means of a device for flexible bio-monitoring, so that it can conform to the object on which it is applied? applied.

In addition, ? The aim of the invention is to provide a flexible biomonitoring device capable of adapting to the user who uses the object on which the device is placed. installed, in order to improve the accuracy and precision of the collected signals and their subsequent processing.

Further objective of the invention? that of realizing a device for flexible bio-monitoring that is minimally ?invasive? for the user, that is to say that it is comfortable to the touch and that it does not modify excessively (in terms of weight and/or shape and/or dimensions) the device on which it is used? installed.

Further objective of the invention? that of providing a removable bio-monitoring device which is not integral (ie permanently mechanically connected) to the object on which it is applied? installed.

Another purpose of the invention? that of realizing a device for flexible bio-monitoring that is easily applicable in various fields and technical sectors, even different ones, in order to favor the diffusion and improvement of this type of technology.

Another objective of the invention ? that of providing a flexible biomonitoring device that is cost-effective and convenient to manufacture, in lieu of the benefits achieved.

In the end, ? object of the invention to provide a method for the production of a flexible biomonitoring device able to achieve the mentioned objectives.

The object of the invention is therefore a device for flexible bio-monitoring applicable to a support object, equipped with a base layer on which one or more elements are deposited. sensors for detecting parameters by acquiring biosignals from a user's body; in particular, the base layer comprises a deformable material.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the base layer can providing an external surface suitable for contact with at least a portion of the user's body and an internal surface suitable for making the device adhere to the support object.

Again, according to the invention, the base layer can comprise a flexible and/or elastic material.

In this case, according to the invention, the base layer can include a multilayered structure.

In detail, according to the invention, the base layer can include an outer layer and an inner layer joined together, and having elastic moduli and/or stiffness? and/or different surface hardnesses.

In particular, the outer layer can? present an elastic modulus and/or a rigidity? and/or a lower surface hardness than the inner layer.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the base layer can include at least one of the following materials: polymers, elastomers, silicone rubbers.

In addition, according to the invention, one or more sensors and/or the conductive circuit can comprise at least one of the following materials: gold, silver, copper, silver-based inks, graphene, graphene oxides.

A further object of the invention is a method for producing a device for flexible biomonitoring which provides for the following successive steps:

- applying a tensile stress along a first axis to the base layer

- lay on the base layer one or more? sensors and/or a conductive circuit along a deposition direction coinciding with a second axis, keeping the first axis constantly parallel to the second axis.

Furthermore, the direction of deposition can be a straight line, with the second axis that ? fixed in space.

Alternatively, the direction of deposition ? a curve, and the second axis ? tangent at all times to the direction of deposition.

Finally, the passage of deposing one or more? sensors and/or a conductive circuit can? be done by at least one of the following: ink printing, additive printing, or 3D printing, of an electrically conductive material.

This invention will come now described, by way of non-limiting example, according to some of its preferred embodiments, and with the aid of the attached figures, in which:

Figure 1 ? a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of the flexible biomonitoring device according to the invention; Figure 2 ? a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of the flexible device according to the invention;

Figure 3 ? a schematic sectional view of a detail relating to a third embodiment of the flexible device according to the invention;

Figure 4 ? a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the biomonitoring device according to the invention;

Figures 5A and 5B show block diagrams of two possible implementations of the electrical diagram of the device according to the invention;

Figures 6A and 6B show details relating to constructional details of the device according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows a flexible biomonitoring device according to the invention installed on a smartphone case;

Figure 8 shows a flexible device for biomonitoring according to the invention installed on a cover for a handlebar;

Figure 9 shows a flexible biomonitoring device according to the invention installed on a cover for a steering wheel;

Figure 10 shows a flexible biomonitoring device according to the invention installed on a laptop computer;

Figures 11A-11C schematically represent some steps of a method for producing a flexible biomonitoring device according to the present invention;

Figure 12 shows a block diagram containing some steps of a method for manufacturing a flexible device for biomonitoring according to the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, ? shown is a first embodiment of the device 100 for bio-monitoring according to the invention, provided with a base layer 1 on which one or more elements are positioned. sensors 2.

The base layer 1 ? made, for example, with a flexible and/or elastic and/or easily deformable material, and has an external surface 11 and an internal surface 12.

As mentioned, the 100 device? designed to be installed, preferably detachably, on an object or product configured to be used in some way by a touch by a user.

For this reason, the device 100 ? intended to at least partially cover an object, thereby exposing the outer surface 11 to contact with at least a portion of the user's body.

The internal surface 12, on the other hand, adheres to the object and keeps the device 100 itself in position on the object; for this purpose ? it is possible to provide for the presence of adhesives on the internal surface 12 itself.

The sensors 2 are positioned on the external surface 11, so that they can come into contact with a user, and are connected to a circuit which carries the signals picked up by them.

Additionally, the basic flexible material can have one or more through holes and/or cavities, which have the dual objective of increasing comfort in contact with the user's skin and allowing fastening with an underlying support device, in addition to or in place of adhesives.

With reference to Figure 2, the device 100 according to the invention has, in a second embodiment, a base layer 1 having a multilayer structure.

The base layer 1 comprises a lower layer 13 and an upper layer 14 joined together, made of materials which are in any case flexible and/or deformable, but having different elastic moduli.

The lower layer 14, adhering to the surface of the object to be used, has an elastic modulus and stiffness greater both to provide greater support and solidity? during use, and to resist the stresses transmitted by the mechanical action of the user.

The upper layer 13, intended to come into contact with the user, has an elastic modulus and a stiffness of minors, so as to be able to mold more to the skin of a user, obtaining a certain feeling of comfort? to the touch, and to ensure a more? large contact surface to the sensors 2.

The materials used for the construction of the base layer, in the single-layer or multi-layer variants, can be polymers, elastomers and other materials per se? known and capable of responding to project specifications, for example silicone rubbers.

The sensors 2 can be electrodes intended to come into contact with the skin of a user, for example, to detect electrical signals generated by the activity nerve and/or muscle of the user.

Furthermore, if there are at least two separate electrodes in contact with the user's skin, ? It is possible to measure additional parameters, such as the galvanic skin response.

To do it, ? it is sufficient to apply a voltage across the electrodes, so that the user's skin closes the circuit allowing the passage of a measurable current, from which an electrical resistance value of the skin itself is calculated.

The electrodes can also be produced as part of an electrically conductive circuit integrated in the device 100, as represented in the detail of Figure 3.

The detail shows the base layer 1 of a device 100 which has one or more? 2 sensors on the outer surface 11.

The sensors 2 are connected to a conductive circuit 21, which however? ? positioned inside the base layer 1 and ? covered by the flexible device material 100.

The sensors 2, the electrodes and/or the conductive circuit 21 can be made, for example, of silver-based conductive ink, graphene-based conductive ink and/or functionalized or non-functionalized graphene oxides.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 100, in which the conductive circuit 21, connected to the sensors 2, can be connected to a unit? controller 250 by means of electrical connectors or interfaces 211.

This unit? control 250 potr? have data processing and/or recording and/or transmission functions, to be carried out by means of integrated electronic and/or electrical components, which may be, for example:

one or more unit? data processing and/or logging (for example, local memory);

one or more unit? of data transmission (for example, of the Bluetooth type);

one or more components for displaying the status of the device (for example, an LED indicating the on/activation/operation status);

one or more energy storage systems (for example, batteries and/or capacitors).

Figures 5A and 5B schematically represent by means of block diagrams examples of electrical diagrams of the device 100, in order to illustrate possible ways of connection between the electric or electronic components integrated in the device 100 itself or included in the unit? external control 250.

Sensor 2? connected to the conductive circuit 21, which ? connected to one or more operational amplifiers 22.

In turn, the? One or more? 22 amplifiers can be connected to one or more? analog-to-digital converters 23, which in turn can be connected to a microcontroller 24, as shown in Figure 5A.

Alternatively, as in the example of Figure 5B, the analog-to-digital converters 23 can be included in the microcontroller 24; in this case the operational amplifiers 22 are connected directly to the microcontroller 24.

Figures 6A and 6B show examples of configurations that the sensors 2 positioned on the base layer 1 of the device 100 can assume.

In particular, Figures 6A and 6B refer to an embodiment of the invention which comprises two or more? sensors 2, in the form of electrodes positioned on the base layer 1.

Advantageously, the base layer surface 1 which is occupied by the sensors 2 is minimized in relation to the area in contact with the skin of a user, useful for detecting bio-signals.

To do this, the sensors 2 are made by adopting a configuration which keeps them electrically separated.

This configuration, for example of the concentric type shown in Figure 6A, manages to obtain an optimization between the area of the base layer capable of actively detecting bio-signals and the contact surface with the user's skin.

Preferably, the surface of the sensors 2 incorporated in the device 100 is made in such a way as to be devoid of reliefs; in particular, it is aligned with the external surface 11 of the base layer 1.

In fact, this constructive expedient avoids the presence of a difference in thickness, or a physical transition, between the base layer 1 and the sensors 2, represented for example by a real ?step? detectable by touch on the external surface 11.

There? allows you to increase the final comfort for the user, since? gives you great comfort to the touch and in contact with the user?s skin.

With reference to Figures 7-10 some possible embodiments of the flexible device according to the invention are shown.

In particular, they have the function of illustrating the utility? and the versatility? of the device itself when this ? installed on objects that are normally held by a user, or that require prolonged contact with the user's skin.

Advantageously, each illustrated embodiment can be removable from? the object on which ? installed.

Figure 7 shows a device 100 installed on a case or cover for smartphones or for mobile phones in general.

The material of the base layer 1 of the device 100 can be made on a portion of a case, or pu? fully constitute the custody itself.

The sensors 2, connected to the conductive circuit 21, are made on the outer surface of the case and in correspondence with the areas most in contact with the user?s hands and/or fingers during normal use of the device.

Figure 8 shows a device 100 integrated in a cover for handles or knobs of dumbbells having a cavity 80 to house the handle itself.

Also in this case, the sensors 2 are made on the outer surface of the cover and in correspondence with the areas most in contact with the palm of the hands and/or the user's fingers during normal use of the device.

This embodiment can be applied, for example, to the grips of bicycles, motorcycles, joysticks for game consoles, stationary bikes and other exercise machines or equipment.

Figure 9 shows the application of the device 100 on a steering wheel cover for motor vehicles or vehicles in general.

Two portions 19 of the surface of the steering wheel cover house the sensors 2, and correspond to the areas where a driver normally rests his hands while driving the vehicle.

Figure 10 shows, on the other hand, a portable computer 500 which has devices 100 integrated near the of the keyboard and arranged so that the sensors 2 are located in the areas where a user rests his hands, and in particular the carpus and metacarpus, while using the computer.

With reference to 11A-11C, some steps relating to a production method of the device 100 are shown.

Initially, a tensile stress is applied to a portion of flexible material suitable for making the base layer 1, which can be constant or non-constant over time.

The effort can be applied, for example, by initially gripping the base layer 1 at at least one first margin 180 and a second margin 190, and subsequently pulling each margin 180, 190 along opposite directions, indicated by the arrows F of Figures 11B and 11C.

The application of the effort causes a deformation, i.e. an elongation, of the material that makes up the base layer 1.

The deformation preferably occurs along a direction corresponding to a first axis X, substantially parallel to the main development direction of the sensors 2 and/or of the conductive circuit 21.

The main development direction usually coincides with the direction of printing, or deposition, of the conductive components positioned on the surface of the device.

In other words, the deposition or printing of the sensors and/or of the conductive circuit takes place along the direction coinciding with a second axis, kept parallel to the first axis X.

In the case shown in Figure 11C, for example, the X axis ? aligned with the rectilinear development direction of the conductive circuit 21, coinciding with the second axis.

However, ? it is also possible that the sensors 2 and/or the conductive circuit 21 have a curvilinear geometry, or in any case not rectilinear.

In this case, the direction of the force application axis X is made to vary so that the base material is kept traction instant by instant along the direction of deposition or printing of the conductive material.

The orientation of the tensile stress applied at a given moment to the base flexible material is substantially parallel to the geometry of the sensor and/or of the conductive material deposited at that moment.

In other words, the direction of application of the tensile stress on the material, and therefore the direction of deformation, is varied over time so as to remain constantly aligned with the direction of deposition of the conductive material, coinciding with the second axis.

In the case, for example, of a circuit with a curvilinear geometry, the base flexible material is deformed so that the tensile stress is tangent to the curve describing the geometry of the conductive circuit and/or the sensors.

Alternatively, ? Is it possible to obtain this effect by rotating the base material stretched around an axis of rotation perpendicular to an imaginary plane in which the circuit? deposited by the 3D printer.

Advantageously, this expedient ensures that, when the tensile stress ceases and the deformation is removed, the sensors 2 and/or the conductive circuit 21 of the finished product are in a state of residual compression which improves their transmission efficiency and the capacity? bio-signal detection.

The printing or deposition of the electrically conductive material which makes up the sensors 2 and/or the conductive circuit 21 takes place preferably by inkjet printing, additive printing, or 3D printing, of an electrically conductive material.

Alternatively, they can be made by gluing and/or welding a sheet of electrically conductive material (for example, aluminum or its alloys, copper or its alloys, silver or its alloys, gold or its alloys) on the base layer 1.

Optionally, following the printing and/or deposition and/or gluing and/or welding of the sensors 2 and of the conductive circuit 21 on the outer surface 11 of the base layer 1, ? possible to lay a further layer of flexible material on the external surface 11.

This expedient serves to cover the conductive circuit 21, isolating it from contact with the outside, and/or to reduce the physical transition detectable by touch at the sensors 2.

Figure 12 schematically represents, by means of a block diagram, an example of successive steps which can be used for the design and construction of a flexible device according to the invention.

In particular, ? schematized the production method of the conductive circuit through an additive manufacturing process (for example, 3D printing); ? clear that the same method will also be applied to the realization of different components of the device.

A first step p1 provides for the creation of a three-dimensional scale model of the conductive circuit, also by means of computer aided design software (CAD) per se? notice.

A second step p2, following the first step p1, involves converting the model file into a suitable format (for example, STL) that can be read and processed by the 3D printer.

Subsequently, in a third step p3, a suitable ink or conductive material to be used for printing the circuit is chosen and loaded into the printer.

The step p3 pu? take place, alternatively, before step p1 or step p2, depending on the needs.

In a subsequent fourth step p4, a flexible material for making the base layer, to be used as a substrate for printing the circuit, is positioned in a machine capable of deforming it, according to the modalities previously described and represented in Figure 11B.

This machine can be, for example, separate from, connected to or integrated with the 3D printer.

In a fifth step p5 following, a tensile stress is applied to the base layer material to deform it.

Finally, keeping the material deformed, in a sixth step p6 the 3D printer applies the conductive ink on the base layer 1.

The invention so? conceived and illustrated here ? susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept expressed in the attached claims.

Where features and techniques mentioned in any claim are followed by reference marks, those reference marks have been included for the sole purpose of increasing intelligibility. of the claims and, consequently, such reference marks have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference marks.

Claims (12)

1. Device (100) for bio-monitoring applicable to a support object, equipped with a base layer (1) on which one or more? sensors (2) for detecting parameters by acquiring bio-signals from the body of a user, said base layer (1) comprising a deformable material. 2. Device (100) for biomonitoring according to claim 1, characterized in that the base layer (1) provides an external surface (11) suitable for contact with at least a portion of the user's body and an internal surface ( 12) suitable for making the device (100) adhere to the support object. Device (100) for biomonitoring according to one of claims 1-2, characterized in that the base layer (1) comprises a flexible and/or elastic material. The device (100) for biomonitoring according to claim 3, characterized in that the base layer (1) comprises a multilayer structure. 5. Device (100) for biomonitoring according to claim 4, characterized in that the base layer (1) comprises an outer layer (13) and an inner layer (14) joined together and having elastic moduli and/or stiffness and/or different surface hardnesses. 6. Device (100) for biomonitoring according to claim 5, characterized in that the outer layer (13) has an elastic modulus and/or stiffness and/or a lower surface hardness than the inner layer (14). 7. Device (100) for biomonitoring according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the base layer (1) comprises at least one of the following materials: polymers, elastomers, silicone rubbers. 8. Device (100) for biomonitoring according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the sensors and/or the conductive circuit comprise at least one of the following materials: gold, silver, copper, silver-based inks, graphene , graphene oxides. The method for producing a biomonitoring device (100) according to one of claims 1-8, which comprises the following successive steps: - applying to the base layer (1) a tensile stress along a first axis (X); - place on the base layer (1) one or more? sensors (2) and/or a conductive circuit (21) along a deposition direction coinciding with a second axis, keeping the first axis (X) constantly parallel to the second axis. 10. Method for producing a device (100) for biomonitoring according to claim 9, characterized in that the direction of deposition is ? a straight line and the second axis ? fixed in space. 11. Method for producing a biomonitoring device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the direction of deposition is ? a curve and the second axis ? tangent at all times to the direction of deposition. 12. Method for manufacturing a device (100) for biomonitoring according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that the step of placing the sensors (2) and/or the conductive circuit (21) takes place via at least one of the following: ink printing, additive printing, or 3D printing, of an electrically conductive material.