Granted Patent B2

US 12,484,814 · App. 17/282,297 · Granted Dec 2, 2025

Inventors: Mark A. Kendall (South Brisbane, AU); Stephen J. Wilson (South Brisbane, AU); Anthony M. Brewer (South Brisbane, AU)

Assignee: WearOptimo Pty Ltd

A61B5/14546A61B5/0051A61B5/14514A61B5/14735A61B5/6833A61B5/0048A61B5/145A61B5/1451A61B5/6801

Abstract

Claims (108)

1 . A system for performing measurements on a biological subject, the system including:

a) at least one substrate including a plurality of microstructures configured to breach a stratum corneum of the subject; and,

b) an actuator configured to apply a force to the substrate to cause the microstructures to at least one of pierce and penetrate the stratum corneum, wherein the force is a vibratory force that is applied continuously and at a frequency that is:

i) less than 1 kHz; and

ii) varying depending on at least one of:

1) A time of application;

2) A depth of penetration;

3) A degree of penetration; and

4) an insertion resistance.

2 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is at least one of:

a) a vibratory motor; and

b) a piezoelectric actuator.

3 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to apply the vibratory force and a continuous biasing force.

4 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes:

a) an actuator housing including a base having an opening;

b) a biasing member mounted within the actuator housing; and,

c) a mounting coupled to the biasing member, the mounting being configured to support a patch including the substrate and microstructures so that the patch at least partially projects through the opening and wherein the biasing member applies a biasing force to the mounting to thereby urge the patch against the stratum corneum.

5 . A system according to claim 4 , wherein the biasing member is at least one of:

a) a spring; and,

b) an electromagnetic actuator.

6 . A system according to claim 4 , wherein the actuator includes a vibratory actuator in the mounting and wherein the vibratory actuator causes the mounting to vibrate, thereby transmitting the vibratory force to the patch.

7 . A system according to claim 6 , wherein the vibratory actuator includes at least one of:

a) a vibratory motor; and,

b) a piezoelectric actuator.

8 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the vibratory force at least one of:

a) has a magnitude that is at least one of:

i) at least 1 mN;

ii) about 200 mN; and,

iii) less than 1000 mN;

b) is applied at the frequency that is:

i) increasing with an increasing depth of penetration or decreasing with an increasing depth of penetration;

ii) increasing until a point of penetration; and

iii) decreasing after a point of penetration.

9 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to cause movement of the microstructures that is at least one of:

a) greater than 0.001 times a length of the microstructure;

b) greater than 0.01 times a length of the microstructure;

c) greater than 0.1 times a length of the microstructure;

d) greater than a length of the microstructure;

e) greater than 10 times a length of the microstructure;

f) greater than 100 times a length of the microstructure; and,

g) greater than 1000 times a length of the microstructure,

h increasing with an increasing depth of penetration or decreasing with an increasing depth of penetration;

i increasing until a point of penetration; and

j decreasing after a point of penetration.

10 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the system:

a) detects, using response of the actuator, at least one of:

i) the depth of penetration;

ii) the degree of penetration; and,

iii) the insertion resistance;

b) controls the actuator in accordance with the detection.

11 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the system:

a) detects, using measured response signals, at least one of:

i) breaching of the stratum corneum by the microstructures; and,

ii) the depth of penetration by the microstructures;

b) controls the actuator in accordance with the detection.

12 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to at least one of:

a) physically disrupt a coating on the microstructures;

b) dislodge a coating on the microstructures;

c) physically stimulate the subject;

d) cause the microstructures to penetrate the stratum corneum;

e) retract the microstructures from the stratum corneum; and,

f) retract the microstructures from the subject.

13 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the system includes a housing that at least one of:

a) contains the actuator; and,

b) acts as the actuator;

c) selectively couples to the substrate;

d) selectively couples to the substrate using at least one of:

i) mechanical coupling;

ii) adhesive coupling; and,

iii) magnetic coupling; and,

e) includes housing connectors that operatively connect to substrate connectors on the substrate to allow signals to be applied to and/or received from the microstructures.

14 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of

a) at least one of a housing and substrate are at least one of:

i) configured to be secured to the subject;

ii) configured to be secured to the subject using anchor microstructures;

iii) configured to be secured to the subject using an adhesive patch; and,

iv) configured to be secured to the subject using a strap

b) the actuator is operatively coupled to the substrate.

15 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the system includes at least one of:

a) at least one sensor operatively connected to at least one microstructure, the at least one sensor being configured to measure response signals from the at least one microstructure; and,

b) a signal generator operatively connected to at least one microstructure to apply a stimulatory signal to the at least one microstructure.

16 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the system includes one or more electronic processing devices configured to at least one of:

a) control the actuator;

b) determine measured response signals; and,

c) control a signal generator.

17 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to apply a force to the substrate to at least one of:

a) sense tissue mechanical properties;

b) provide mechanical stimulation;

c) attract or repel substances;

d) trigger a biological response;

e) release material from a coating on at least some microstructures;

f) disrupt a coating on at least some microstructures;

g) dissolve a coating on at least some microstructures;

h) dislodge a coating on the microstructures;

i) release a coating on at least some microstructures;

j) cause the microstructures to penetrate the stratum corneum;

k) retract the microstructures from the stratum corneum; and,

l) retract the microstructures from the subject.

18 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the system includes a monitoring device and a patch including the substrate and microstructures and wherein the monitoring device includes the actuator.

19 . A method for performing measurements on a biological subject, the method including:

a) using at least one substrate including a plurality of microstructures configured to breach a stratum corneum of the subject; and,

b) using an actuator configured to apply a force to the substrate to cause the microstructures to at least one of pierce and penetrate the stratum corneum, wherein the force is a vibratory force that is applied continuously and at a frequency that is:

i) less than 1 kHz; and

ii) varying depending on at least one of:

(1) a time of application;

(2) a depth of penetration;

(3)) a degree of penetration; and

(4) an insertion resistance.

Assignments (1)

Priority Claims (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (231)