Fluid sensing devices including fluid absorption and distribution layer
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsNicholas T. Gabriel, Manjiri T. Kshirsagar, Ronald D. Jesme, Justin Tungjunyatham, Hamid R. Mortazavi
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Abstract
Fluid sensing devices including a layer of fluid absorption and distribution material are provided. The layer includes a porous fibrous nonwoven matrix for absorbing fluid from the object to the first major surface of the layer and laterally distributing the absorbed fluid throughout the layer and to a second major surface of the layer opposite the first major surface. Hydration sensors are disposed on the second major surface of the layer to measure a hydration level.
Claims17
A fluid sensing device comprising:
- one or more hydration sensors;
- a layer of fluid absorption and distribution material, the layer of fluid absorption and distribution material comprising a porous fibrous nonwoven matrix,
- wherein the one or more hydration sensors is disposed on the layer of fluid absorption and distribution material;
- and
- a thermal heating element that is in thermal contact with a target area of the layer of fluid absorption and distribution material, the heating element being configured to introduce a known amount of heat to the target area of the layer of fluid absorption and distribution material,
- wherein the one or more hydration sensors are configured to determine a quantity of fluid absorbed by the layer of fluid absorption and distribution material based on a thermal response of the layer of fluid absorption and distribution material to the known amount of heat introduced to the target area of the layer of fluid absorption and distribution material by the thermal heating element.
A method for quantitative fluid sensing, the method comprising:
- providing a layer of fluid absorption and distribution material having a first major surface in fluid communication with an object, the layer of fluid absorption and distribution material comprising a porous fibrous nonwoven matrix;
- absorbing fluid from the object to the first major surface of the layer and laterally distributing the absorbed fluid throughout the layer and to a second major surface of the layer opposite the first major surface;
- providing one or more hydration sensors disposed on the second major surface of the layer to measure a hydration level thereof;
- and
- providing a thermal heating element that is in thermal contact with a target area of the layer of fluid absorption and distribution material, the heating element being configured to introduce a known amount of heat to the target area of the layer of fluid absorption and distribution material,
- wherein the one or more hydration sensors are configured to determine a quantity of fluid absorbed by the layer of fluid absorption and distribution material based on a thermal response of the layer of fluid absorption and distribution material to the known amount of heat introduced to the target area of the layer of fluid absorption and distribution material by the thermal heating element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.