Patent Application
20130245546
This application claims priority under 37 U.S.C. §119 to patent application no. DE 10 2012 203 880.9, filed on Mar. 13, 2012 in Germany, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The disclosure proceeds from a functional adhesive bandage and a method according to the description below.
A functional adhesive bandage is an adhesive bandage which has electronic components for monitoring human vital parameters. By way of example, the components comprise sensors, microprocessors, display and operating element. By way of example, the sensors of the functional adhesive bandage are used to measure vital data, such as e.g. blood oxygen saturation, EKG, EMG. By way of example, the vital data is then stored, evaluated or transmitted to an evaluation unit.
DE102009029215 has already disclosed a functional adhesive bandage for acoustic detection of sleep apnea.
US20050226921 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,322 describe devices for transdermal release of active ingredients. The devices are applied to skin and the release of active ingredients is controlled electronically.
A functional adhesive bandage according to the disclosure has an adhesive layer and a cover layer. Here, a sensor for measuring a vital parameter, a control unit, an energy storage device and an actuator are arranged between the adhesive layer and the cover layer. The control unit is configured to evaluate the vital parameters measured by the sensor and to regulate the actuator on the basis of the evaluation. The functional adhesive bandage according to the disclosure is advantageous because it has a closed sensor/actuator regulation by means of which vital parameters can be set.
The measures listed in the description below render possible advantageous developments and improvements of the functional adhesive bandage specified below.
A functional adhesive bandage is advantageous if the actuator is an electromagnetic radiation source. By way of example, the electromagnetic radiation source is used to disinfect a skin surface or a wound, above which the functional adhesive bandage is applied. By way of example, an ultraviolet lamp is used as electromagnetic radiation source.
A functional adhesive bandage is particularly advantageous if the actuator is a delivery unit by means of which an active ingredient can be applied from a reservoir onto the skin, a wound, or under the skin and into the body. By way of example, the delivery unit is an electric pump and the vital parameter that can be set is the pH value of a wound.
The actuator is expediently embodied as a heating- and/or a cooling element, which regulates the temperature under the functional adhesive bandage arranged on a skin surface or body part.
It is advantageous if the actuator is embodied as an electrode. This is because the functional adhesive bandage is then, when applied onto a body surface, capable of activating a stimulation of muscles or promoting the perfusion of skin surfaces by means of the electrode.
Furthermore, it is advantageous if the actuator is embodied as mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator, by means of which a movement of a body part is supported.
It is furthermore advantageous if the actuator of the functional adhesive bandage is a converter of mechanical and/or thermal energy into electrical energy. By way of example, as a result of this energy is obtained by movement of the functional adhesive bandage or by warmth surrounding the functional adhesive bandage. The energy obtained is, for example, fed to the energy storage device during this so-called energy harvesting. Thus, this renders possible an increase of the service life of the energy storage device and/or an independent energy supply of the functional adhesive bandage.
A method according to the disclosure for regulating a vital parameter by means of a functional adhesive bandage comprises the following steps: prescribing an intended variable for the vital parameter, measuring an actual variable for the vital parameter, establishing a deviation of the actual variable from the intended variable, setting a control variable on the basis of the deviation. The method according to the disclosure has the advantage of regulating a vital parameter to the predetermined intended variable by setting the control variable.
In detail:
By way of example, the energy storage device 6 is a battery and/or a rechargeable battery. The energy storage device 6 supplies the other components, such as the control unit 4, the sensor 5 and the actuator 7, with energy via lines.
The sensor 5 is configured to measure vital parameters, for example oxygen saturation, blood sugar, pH value, temperature, moisture, position, acceleration and/or movement.
By way of example, the actuator 7 is an electrode, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electric motor, an electromagnetic radiation source, a heating- and/or a cooling element.
By way of example, the control unit 4 is a microcontroller with a storage device, which evaluates vital parameters or data measured by means of the sensor 5 and, on the basis of the evaluation, controls the actuator 7.
A second embodiment is shown in
The operating unit 9 is arranged between the adhesive layer 2 and the cover layer 3 in such a way that a user can set an intended variable. By way of example, the operating unit 9 has a display, a pushbutton, a switch, a touchscreen, a loudspeaker and/or a microphone.
In a further embodiment, the actuator 7 is a converter of mechanical and/or thermal energy into electrical energy. The converter generates electrical energy from mechanical energy by a movement of the functional adhesive bandage 1, 1′ or from the heat of the surroundings. The generated energy is fed to the energy storage device 6 and/or other components of the functional adhesive bandage 1, 1′.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2012 203 880.9 | Mar 2012 | DE | national |
