Blunt force sensor array

A blunt force measurement system comprising:

• a blunt force sensor array configured to be subdermally implanted on a non-planar surface of a bone of a test subject;
• and
• measurement and control circuitry disposed external to the test subject and configured to interface with the blunt force sensor array to convert signals provided by the blunt force sensor array into force and strain measurements,
• wherein the blunt force sensor array comprises:
• a flexible thin-film substrate comprising independently bendable fingers, wherein the independently bendable fingers comprise a first finger, a second finger, a third finger, and a fourth finger;
• a plurality of force sensors secured to the flexible thin-film substrate proximate to a center measurement point;
• a strain gauge secured on the flexible thin-film substrate proximate to the center measurement point, wherein at least one of the force sensors or the strain gauge is disposed at a distal end of each independently bendable finger;
• and
• a sensor interface configured to extend through an incision in a dermal layer to externally connect to the measurement and control circuitry, the sensor interface being electrically connected to each of the force sensors and the strain gauge via traces disposed on the flexible thin-film substrate;
• wherein a flexibility and a shape of the flexible thin-film substrate and the independently bendable fingers permit the blunt force sensor array to be inserted subdermally through the incision in the dermal layer such that each independently bendable finger and the force sensor or strain gauge secured thereon conform to and are in contact with the non-planar surface of the bone to detect forces and strains experienced by the non-planar surface of the bone, due to a blunt force event that originates external to the dermal layer, at a respective location on the bone;
• wherein each of the independently bendable fingers extend from a common bending region;
• wherein the sensor interface, the center measurement point, and the common bending region are aligned along a linear relationship;
• wherein the first finger extends from the common bending region at a non-perpendicular angle to the linear relationship to conform to a curvature of the non-planar surface of the bone and place a peripheral force sensor secured at a distal end of the first finger in contact with the bone.

A method of subdermally implanting a blunt force sensor array in a test subject, the method comprising:

• making an incision in a dermal layer of the test subject;
• and
• applying a plurality of force sensors and a strain gauge disposed on a thin film substrate of the blunt force sensor array subdermally, through the incision in the dermal layer, onto a non-planar surface of a bone of the test subject, wherein the plurality of force sensors comprises a central force sensor, a first peripheral force sensor, a second peripheral force sensor,
• wherein the plurality of force sensors and the strain gauge are applied such that sensing areas of the central force sensor, the first peripheral force sensor, the second peripheral force sensor, and the strain gauge, disposed on the flexible thin-film substrate, are disposed in different planes;
• wherein a flexibility and a shape of the flexible thin-film substrate and independently bendable fingers of the flexible thin film substrate permit the blunt force sensor array to be inserted subdermally through the incision in the dermal layer such that each independently bendable finger and the force sensor or strain gauge secured thereon conform to and are in contact with the non-planar surface of the bone to detect forces and strains experienced by the non-planar surface of the bone, due to a blunt force event that originates external to the dermal layer, at a respective location on the bone where each force sensor and the strain gauge are located;
• wherein each of the independently bendable fingers extend from a common bending region of the flexible thin-film substrate;
• wherein a sensor interface, a center measurement point disposed at the central force sensor, and the common bending region are aligned along a linear relationship;
• wherein a finger of the independently bendable fingers extends from the common bending region at a non-perpendicular angle to the linear relationship to conform to a curvature of the non-planar surface of the bone and place the first peripheral force sensor secured at a distal end of the finger in contact with the bone.