Microtube Sensor For Physiological Monitoring
AssigneeNational University of Singapore
InventorsJoo Chuan Yeo, Wang Xi, Longteng Yu, Chwee Teck Lim
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Abstract
A soft, flexible microtube sensor and associated method of sensing force are described. A liquid metallic alloy is sealed within a microtube as thin as a strand of human hair to form the physical force sensing mechanism. The sensor is hardly distinguishable with the naked eye, and can be used for the continuous biomonitoring of physiological signals, such as unobtrusive pulse monitoring. Also described is a method of fabricating the microtube sensor and wearable devices incorporating one or more microtube sensors.
Claims20
A microtube sensor, comprising:
- a flexible microtube comprising a polymer and defining a lumen, the flexible microtube having at least one of (i) an inner diameter of about 10 μm to about 400 μm and a variable outer diameter, and (ii) a wall surrounding the lumen, the wall having a thickness of about 10 μm to about 550 μm;
- and
- a liquid-state conductive element within the lumen of the flexible microtube, the flexible microtube having closed ends to retain the liquid-state conductive element in the lumen,
- wherein the microtube sensor has the property that a change in electrical resistance of the liquid-state conductive element is indicative of a force-induced deformation of the flexible microtube.
A method of making a microtube sensor, comprising:
- providing a flexible microtube comprising a polymer and defining a lumen, the flexible microtube having at least one of (i) an inner diameter of about 10 μm to about 400 μm and a variable outer diameter, and (ii) a wall surrounding the lumen, the wall having a thickness of about 10 μm to about 550 μm;
- injecting a liquid-state conductive element into the lumen of the flexible microtube;
- and
- closing ends of the flexible microtube to retain the liquid-state conductive element in the lumen, to thereby make a microtube sensor that has the property that a change in electrical resistance of the liquid-state conductive element is indicative of a force-induced deformation of the flexible microtube.
A wearable electronic device, comprising:
- a fabric substrate configured to be worn on a body;
- and
- a microfiber woven into the fabric substrate, the microfiber comprising a microtube sensor including
- a flexible microtube comprising a polymer and defining a lumen, and
- a liquid-state conductive element within the lumen of the flexible microtube, the flexible microtube having closed ends to retain the liquid-state conductive element in the lumen,
- wherein the microtube sensor has the property that a change in electrical resistance of the liquid-state conductive element is indicative of a force-induced deformation of the flexible microtube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.