Building the Critical Flexible Components for Wearable Medical Devices
Patch pumps, bolus injectors, biosensors, and other body-worn diagnostic “mechanized” devices are composed of small, reusable, or one-time-use devices containing a drug reservoir and a small needle on the side facing the patient.
PATCH PUMPS
Patch pumps are used primarily for insulin therapy, which often requires patients to wear the device for several weeks, even months, based upon the severity of their medical needs. Bolus injectors are drug delivery devices that are customizable to inject medications subcutaneously.
BIOSENSORS
Biosensors are primarily analytical and diagnostic, usually incorporating biologicals and a transducer to capture and transform responses to electrical signals. A complete biosensor system is capable of detecting and recording changes in targeted biomarkers. At EIS, we have perfected the fabrication process for skin contact sensors, typically connected with conductive Ag/AgCl tracings or other forms of flexible circuits. Appropriate signals from the body transmit to devices with digital output ability.
DESIGN, FORM FACTOR, & ADHESION
EIS' design engineers can assist medical or contract manufacturers with building flexible components for these devices. Based upon significant experience with stick-to-skin applications, our engineering team selects the correct form factor and adhesive material worn by the patient based upon various aspects, such as wear time, adhesion strength, and skin condition of the application area.
Design constraints include implicit and explicit requirements for functionality, ease of use, look and feel, but a critical parameter—Form Factor, drives all. Form Factor is the parameter of size in a design process. Some refer to it as the footprint. Designers who pay attention to the ‘form factor’ question early enough in the design phase will design a compact, robust, and winning device while saving on cost. This is not to say that smaller is cheaper, but the fact is that early consideration reduces iterations of prototyping and decreases time to market.
Adhesion to skin and medical devices requires balancing the need for a solid bond to hold the device in place for as long as the treatment requires and the ability to remove or reposition it without causing skin trauma, such as skin tears or stripping. Constant skin re-adherence can cause irritation and potentially infection, especially if the adhesive is too aggressive.
SUPPLIERS & MATERIALS
EIS works with premier suppliers of medical adhesive materials, such as 3M, who have developed proprietary formulations that provide a strong bond while easily removing from the skin.
In addition to material selection, our manufacturing experts can recommend fabrication and assembly techniques required from prototyping to high-speed production to create parts and devices in virtually any shape or size while also assisting with integrating electronics, onboard controllers, and human interfaces that contain buttons or small screens.