-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueThe Growing Industry
In this issue of PCB007 Magazine, we talk with leading economic experts, advocacy specialists in Washington, D.C., and PCB company leadership to get a well-rounded picture of what’s happening in the industry today. Don’t miss it.
The Sustainability Issue
Sustainability is one of the most widely used terms in business today, especially for electronics and manufacturing but what does it mean to you? We explore the environmental, business, and economic impacts.
The Fabricator’s Guide to IPC APEX EXPO
This issue previews many of the important events taking place at this year's show and highlights some changes and opportunities. So, buckle up. We are counting down to IPC APEX EXPO 2024.
- Articles
Article Highlights
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
SteadySense Uses AT&S Technology and System Expertise
March 13, 2019 | AT&SEstimated reading time: 3 minutes
SteadySense, a startup company based near Graz, has developed femSense technology—an innovative and smart temperature measuring solution for medical applications. One key drawback of non-invasive intermittent temperature measurements is that sudden temperature increases—indicating an infection following an operation, for example—are not recorded. By contrast, continuous temperature checking for up to seven days with femSense is an ideal solution, e.g. for identifying fertile days when trying to have a baby or for patient monitoring in hospitals. AT&S was involved in the development process from the beginning—from the feasibility study to product development and production. SteadySense benefited not only from leading printed circuit board (PCB) technology from AT&S, but also from their extensive system expertise, especially in the medical sector.
Apart from the circuit logic, the femSense smart sensor system essentially comprises a temperature-sensitive fully integrated sensor. The thermometer patch is applied under the armpit and is activated using a smartphone. The high-tech patch measures and then continuously saves current body temperature values at specified time intervals. If required, measured values can be read out using an NFC (near-field communication) capable smartphone, then analyzed and displayed in a specially developed app. The result is accurate, simple, continuous and discreet temperature measurement.
Help When Trying to Conceive
The first application for the femSense sensor patch focuses on calculating ovulation based on the user’s basal body temperature. The goal is to increase the chances of getting pregnant for women who are trying to conceive. A correlation between the increase in body temperature and the time of ovulation has been known for almost 100 years. The innovation is that the femSense patch measures temperature continuously and accurately. Unlike intermittent measurements (e.g. once a day), this allows a precise temperature curve to be calculated, significantly increasing this method’s reliability.
The one-time use of the adhesive patch minimizes infection risks. In addition to the sensor patch, SteadySense also provides the app and all interfaces to the central database. femSense is an ISO 13485 certified medical product.
Compact Design with Flexible PCB
The convenient and compact femSense patch is based on circuitry using a flexible PCB from AT&S that fits comfortably on the wearer’s body. Flexible printed circuit boards are now in use throughout the electronics industry. The circuit board is generally installed bent, twisted or folded. Flexible PCBs can be used to create configurations and geometries—as in femSense patches, for example—that would be impracticable with a rigid PCB. The femSense circuit board was assembled with the temperature sensor and a battery using surface-mount technology (SMT). AT&S not only developed the circuit board, they also assembled it with components utilising corresponding capacities and technologies in their Korean factory. The Korean plant particularly specializes in flexible PCB solutions for the medical sector.
Close cooperation with SteadySense is just one example of how AT&S contributes its extensive expertise beyond the PCB and into system design, while being closely involved with partners or customers in product development from an early stage. AT&S particularly supports young, innovative startups and is the ideal development partner to realize new design ideas even for low volume applications. In addition, proximity to the technology cluster around Graz is an important factor for innovations.
About SteadySense GmbH
SteadySense is an innovative startup in the Graz region with a mission to facilitate daily medical routines through the use of smart wireless sensor solutions. SteadySense’s intelligent sensor solutions enable error-free, cost and time optimized recording of medical parameters with the greatest possible ease for users. The company was formed in early 2016 and is ISO 13485 certified. SteadySense has a high level of expertise in system design for both hardware and software.
Suggested Items
IDTechEx Discusses the Role of Printed Sensors in Mass-Digitization
04/11/2024 | PRNewswireIntegrated sensors digitizing physical interactions are vital in everyday life. From personalized user experiences to warehouse inventory management, data-driven insights are driving demand for smarter sensors — and lots of them.
ENNOVI Introduces a New Flexible Circuit Production Process for Low Voltage Connectivity in EV Battery Cell Contacting Systems
04/03/2024 | PRNewswireENNOVI, a mobility electrification solutions partner, introduces a more advanced and sustainable way of producing flexible circuits for low voltage signals in electric vehicle (EV) battery cell contacting systems.
OE-A at LOPEC: Printed Electronics Powers Sustainability
02/06/2024 | OE-AThe “OE-A Competition 2024” shows the many possibilities of flexible, organic, and printed electronics with inspiring products, prototypes, and fresh designs live at LOPEC 2024, the leading international exhibition and conference for flexible, organic, and printed electronics in Munich.
All Flex Solutions Invests in New Flexible Circuit Facility
02/05/2024 | All Flex SolutionsAll Flex Solutions has started the equipment build-out of a completely new flexible circuit manufacturing facility in Minneapolis. The building was purchased in 2020, and was completely renovated to accommodate the company’s plans for a brand new state-of-the-art flexible circuit fabrication plant.
Flexible Printed Circuits: A Design Primer
12/19/2023 | Chris Keirstead, PFC Flexible CircuitsFlexible circuits consist of conductive strips in a sandwich of insulating or dielectric material. They resist moisture and contamination and are insulated from external shorts, with holes or contact surfaces for interconnection. Understanding a package’s electrical requirements and not over-designing permits means taking full advantage of a flexible circuit’s potential compared to conventional wiring.