Wearable sensor
Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide a skin-conformable and compact wearable electronic apparatus for monitoring physiological and/or brain signals of the wearer.
1 . A wearable electronic apparatus for monitoring physiological and/or brain signals, the apparatus comprising:
at least one assembly of layers, the assembly comprising:
a first flexible polymer thin film substrate layer,
a second flexible polymer thin film passivation layer comprising at least one opening, and
a conductive layer sandwiched between the first flexible polymer thin film substrate layer and the second flexible polymer thin film passivation layer, wherein the second flexible polymer thin film passivation layer shields the first flexible polymer thin film substrate layer and the conductive layer from electromagnetic interference;
at least one sensor for monitoring physiological and/or brain signals, provided on the conductive layer, wherein the at least one opening corresponds to a position of the at least one sensor, such that when the apparatus is configured to be attached to a user's skin, the at least one sensor is in contact with the user's skin; and
circuitry coupled to the at least one sensor, the circuitry comprising:
a wireless communication module for transmitting sensor data to an external device, and
at least one integrated circuit chip, wherein the conductive layer comprises a plurality of conductive tracks for coupling the at least one sensor to the at least one integrated circuit chip.
2 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an adhesive layer provided on the second flexible polymer thin film passivation layer, wherein the adhesive layer comprises at least one opening that corresponds to the position of the at least one sensor, such that when the apparatus is attached to the user's skin, the at least one sensor is in contact with the user's skin.
3 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first flexible polymer thin film substrate layer and the second flexible polymer thin film passivation layer each have a thickness of up to 10 microns.
4 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of conductive tracks on the first flexible polymer thin film substrate layer are flexible.
5 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the plurality of conductive tracks on the first flexible polymer thin film substrate layer have a thickness of up to 2 microns.
6 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the assembly of layers is folded to form a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the at least one sensor is provided in the first portion of the assembly of layers and the circuitry is provided in the second portion of the assembly of layers.
7 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the assembly of layers comprises a single fold.
8 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the assembly of layers comprises two or more folds.
9 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises a first assemblies of layers and a second assembly of layers, wherein the first and second assemblies of layers are stacked.
10 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a rigid printed circuit board, and a flexible cable for electrically connecting the assembly of layers to the rigid printed circuit board.
11 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the at least one sensor is provided in the assembly of layers, and the circuitry is provided on the rigid printed circuit board.
12 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the rigid printed circuit board is stacked on the assembly of layers.
13 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the assembly of layers is removeable.
14 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is any one or more of: an accelerometer; an electroencephalograph; an electromyograph; an electrocardiograph; a temperature sensor; a thermistor; a blood pressure monitor; a photoplethysmography sensor; a pulse oximeter; a galvanic skin response sensor; a biochemical sensor; a sweat biochemical sensor; and an electrodermal activity sensor.
15 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a battery, wherein the battery is a flexible battery.
16 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an actuator.
17 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the actuator is an ultrasound transducer.
18 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein when the apparatus is configured to be provided on a user's head, the at least one sensor senses brain signals.
19 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the at least one sensor provides information on the cognition, emotional state, peripheral nervous system state or disease indicators of the user.