Patents by Inventor Nanshu Lu

Nanshu Lu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11793439
    Abstract: Epidermal electronics are non-invasive and non-obstructive skin mounted sensors with mechanical properties matching human epidermis. Their manufacturing process includes photolithography and dry and wet etching within cleanroom facilities. The high cost of manpower, materials, photo masks, and facilities greatly hinders the commercialization potential of disposable epidermal electronics. In contrast, an embodiment of the invention includes a low cost, high throughput, bench top “cut-and-paste” method to complete the freeform manufacture of epidermal sensor system (ESS) in minutes. This versatile method works for many types of thin metal and polymeric sheets and is compatible with many tattoo adhesives or medical tapes. The resultant ESS is highly multimaterial and multifunctional and may measure ECG, EMG, skin temperature, skin hydration, as well as respiratory rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Nanshu Lu, Shixuan Yang, Pulin Wang
  • Patent number: 11786170
    Abstract: Nanomaterial epidermal sensors can be adhered to the skin and worn comfortably and inconspicuously for days to allow for repeated biometric sensing. The nanomaterial epidermal sensors may be comprised of a monolayer of graphene coating a flexible polymer substrate. Various nanomaterial epidermal sensors may be quickly fabricated using a cost-efficient “cut-and-paste” method on transfer paper and can be adhered directly to skin without tape or adhesive, much like a temporary-tattoo. The nanomaterial epidermal sensors may be optically transparent and may be used to measure an electrocardiogram (ECG), an electroencephalogram (EEG) or an electromyogram (EMG) with a signal-to-noise ratio that is comparable to conventional electrodes. In addition, the nanomaterial epidermal sensors may be used to measure other parameters, such as skin temperature or skin hydration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Nanshu Lu, Deji Akinwande, Shideh Kabiri Ameri Abootorabi
  • Publication number: 20220249000
    Abstract: Epidermal electronics are non-invasive and non-obstructive skin mounted sensors with mechanical properties matching human epidermis. Their manufacturing process includes photolithography and dry and wet etching within cleanroom facilities. The high cost of manpower, materials, photo masks, and facilities greatly hinders the commercialization potential of disposable epidermal electronics. In contrast, an embodiment of the invention includes a low cost, high throughput, bench top “cut-and-paste” method to complete the freeform manufacture of epidermal sensor system (ESS) in minutes. This versatile method works for many types of thin metal and polymeric sheets and is compatible with many tattoo adhesives or medical tapes. The resultant ESS is highly multimaterial and multifunctional and may measure ECG, EMG, skin temperature, skin hydration, as well as respiratory rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Nanshu Lu, Shixuan Yang, Pulin Wang
  • Patent number: 11344237
    Abstract: Epidermal electronics are sensors with mechanical properties matching human epidermis. Their manufacturing process includes photolithography and dry and wet etching within cleanroom facilities. The high cost of manpower, materials, photo masks, and facilities greatly hinders the commercialization potential of disposable epidermal electronics. In contrast, an embodiment of the invention includes a low cost, high throughput, bench top “cut-and-paste” method to complete the freeform manufacture of epidermal sensor system (ESS) in minutes. This versatile method works for many types of thin metal and polymeric sheets and is compatible with many tattoo adhesives or medical tapes. The resultant ESS is highly multimaterial and multifunctional and may measure ECG, EMG, skin temperature, skin hydration, as well as respiratory rate. Also, a stretchable planar coil made of serpentine ribbons can be used as a wireless strain gauge and/or a near field communication (NFC) antenna. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Nanshu Lu, Shixuan Yang, Pulin Wang
  • Patent number: 11311223
    Abstract: Epidermal electronics are sensors with mechanical properties matching human epidermis. Their manufacturing process includes photolithography and dry and wet etching within cleanroom facilities. The high cost of manpower, materials, photo masks, and facilities greatly hinders the commercialization potential of disposable epidermal electronics. In contrast, an embodiment of the invention includes a low cost, high throughput, bench top “cut-and-paste” method to complete the freeform manufacture of epidermal sensor system (ESS) in minutes. This versatile method works for many types of thin metal and polymeric sheets and is compatible with many tattoo adhesives or medical tapes. The resultant ESS is highly multimaterial and multifunctional and may measure ECG, EMG, skin temperature, skin hydration, as well as respiratory rate. Also, a stretchable planar coil made of serpentine ribbons can be used as a wireless strain gauge and/or a near field communication (NFC) antenna. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Nanshu Lu, Shixuan Yang, Pulin Wang
  • Publication number: 20200178895
    Abstract: By applying a dry and freeform “cut-and-paste” method, an NFC-enabled wireless tattoo-like stretchable biometric sensor can be fabricated within minutes without using any chemicals, inks, or masks/stencils. This sensor is able to wirelessly receive power via a stretchable inductive coil and an NFC chip integrated on the sensor. Data measured by the sensor can be wirelessly transmitted via the same antenna and NFC chip. The sensor is fully stretchable and conformable to human skin and can follows the mechanical deformation of skin without mechanical and electrical failure or delamination. The sensor is imperceptible to wear and can perform high-fidelity sensing for physiological signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Nanshu LU, Hyoyoung JEONG
  • Publication number: 20200107740
    Abstract: Epidermal electronics are sensors with mechanical properties matching human epidermis. Their manufacturing process includes photolithography and dry and wet etching within cleanroom facilities. The high cost of manpower, materials, photo masks, and facilities greatly hinders the commercialization potential of disposable epidermal electronics. In contrast, an embodiment of the invention includes a low cost, high throughput, bench top “cut-and-paste” method to complete the freeform manufacture of epidermal sensor system (ESS) in minutes. This versatile method works for many types of thin metal and polymeric sheets and is compatible with many tattoo adhesives or medical tapes. The resultant ESS is highly multimaterial and multifunctional and may measure ECG, EMG, skin temperature, skin hydration, as well as respiratory rate. Also, a stretchable planar coil made of serpentine ribbons can be used as a wireless strain gauge and/or a near field communication (NFC) antenna. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Nanshu Lu, Shixuan Yang, Pulin Wang
  • Publication number: 20200085336
    Abstract: A dual-mode epidermal sensor/electrode that, when worn on a human chest, is capable of synchronously/continuously monitoring electrical activity and mechano-acoustic activity of a cardiovascular system. The dual-mode epidermal sensor/electrode consists of a pair of stretchable electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes made out of filamentary serpentine gold nano-membranes and a stretchable seismocardiogram (SCG) sensor comprising a filamentary serpentine PVDF. The dual-mode epidermal sensor/electrode is light, thin, flexible, and requires no operational power. The sensor can be laminated conformably and unobtrusively on a human chest to provide high fidelity ECG measurements and SCG measurements, and an estimated beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP). The dual-mode epidermal sensor is fabricated using a cost-effective, cut-and-paste method of construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Nanshu LU, Taewoo HA, Pulin WANG
  • Publication number: 20200054273
    Abstract: Nanomaterial epidermal sensors can be adhered to the skin and worn comfortably and inconspicuously for days to allow for repeated biometric sensing. The nanomaterial epidermal sensors may be comprised of a monolayer of graphene coating a flexible polymer substrate. Various nanomaterial epidermal sensors may be quickly fabricated using a cost-efficient “cut-and-paste” method on transfer paper and can be adhered directly to skin without tape or adhesive, much like a temporary-tattoo. The nanomaterial epidermal sensors may be optically transparent and may be used to measure an electrocardiogram (ECG), an electroencephalogram (EEG) or an electromyogram (EMG) with a signal-to-noise ratio that is comparable to conventional electrodes. In addition, the nanomaterial epidermal sensors may be used to measure other parameters, such as skin temperature or skin hydration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Nanshu LU, Deji Akinwande, Shideh Kabiri Ameri Abootorabi
  • Patent number: 10492703
    Abstract: Epidermal electronics are sensors with mechanical properties matching human epidermis. Their manufacturing process includes photolithography and dry and wet etching within cleanroom facilities. The high cost of manpower, materials, photo masks, and facilities greatly hinders the commercialization potential of disposable epidermal electronics. In contrast, an embodiment of the invention includes a low cost, high throughput, bench top “cut-and-paste” method to complete the freeform manufacture of epidermal sensor system (ESS) in minutes. This versatile method works for many types of thin metal and polymeric sheets and is compatible with many tattoo adhesives or medical tapes. The resultant ESS is highly multimaterial and multifunctional and may measure ECG, EMG, skin temperature, skin hydration, as well as respiratory rate. Also, a stretchable planar coil made of serpentine ribbons can be used as a wireless strain gauge and/or a near field communication (NFC) antenna. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Nanshu Lu, Shixuan Yang, Pulin Wang
  • Publication number: 20190281666
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods of warming a patient using a flexible, stretchable resistive heating element, a temperature detection device, a power supply, and a controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Nanshu LU, Kenneth DILLER, Andrew STIER, Andrew MARK
  • Patent number: 10357201
    Abstract: Disclosed are appendage mountable electronic systems and related methods for covering and conforming to an appendage surface. A flexible or stretchable substrate has an inner surface for receiving an appendage, including an appendage having a curved surface, and an opposed outer surface that is accessible to external surfaces. A stretchable or flexible electronic device is supported by the substrate inner and/or outer surface, depending on the application of interest. The electronic device in combination with the substrate provides a net bending stiffness to facilitate conformal contact between the inner surface and a surface of the appendage provided within the enclosure. In an aspect, the system is capable of surface flipping without adversely impacting electronic device functionality, such as electronic devices comprising arrays of sensors, actuators, or both sensors and actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: John A. Rogers, Ming Ying, Andrew Bonifas, Nanshu Lu
  • Publication number: 20180303418
    Abstract: Disclosed are appendage mountable electronic systems and related methods for covering and conforming to an appendage surface. A flexible or stretchable substrate has an inner surface for receiving an appendage, including an appendage having a curved surface, and an opposed outer surface that is accessible to external surfaces. A stretchable or flexible electronic device is supported by the substrate inner and/or outer surface, depending on the application of interest. The electronic device in combination with the substrate provides a net bending stiffness to facilitate conformal contact between the inner surface and a surface of the appendage provided within the enclosure. In an aspect, the system is capable of surface flipping without adversely impacting electronic device functionality, such as electronic devices comprising arrays of sensors, actuators, or both sensors and actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: John A. ROGERS, Ming YING, Andrew BONIFAS, Nanshu LU
  • Patent number: 10052066
    Abstract: Disclosed are appendage mountable electronic systems and related methods for covering and conforming to an appendage surface. A flexible or stretchable substrate has an inner surface for receiving an appendage, including an appendage having a curved surface, and an opposed outer surface that is accessible to external surfaces. A stretchable or flexible electronic device is supported by the substrate inner and/or outer surface, depending on the application of interest. The electronic device in combination with the substrate provides a net bending stiffness to facilitate conformal contact between the inner surface and a surface of the appendage provided within the enclosure. In an aspect, the system is capable of surface flipping without adversely impacting electronic device functionality, such as electronic devices comprising arrays of sensors, actuators, or both sensors and actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: John A. Rogers, Ming Ying, Andrew Bonifas, Nanshu Lu
  • Publication number: 20170181704
    Abstract: Disclosed are appendage mountable electronic systems and related methods for covering and conforming to an appendage surface. A flexible or stretchable substrate has an inner surface for receiving an appendage, including an appendage having a curved surface, and an opposed outer surface that is accessible to external surfaces. A stretchable or flexible electronic device is supported by the substrate inner and/or outer surface, depending on the application of interest. The electronic device in combination with the substrate provides a net bending stiffness to facilitate conformal contact between the inner surface and a surface of the appendage provided within the enclosure. In an aspect, the system is capable of surface flipping without adversely impacting electronic device functionality, such as electronic devices comprising arrays of sensors, actuators, or both sensors and actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: John A. ROGERS, Ming YING, Andrew BONIFAS, Nanshu LU
  • Publication number: 20170150896
    Abstract: Epidermal electronics are sensors with mechanical properties matching human epidermis. Their manufacturing process includes photolithography and dry and wet etching within cleanroom facilities. The high cost of manpower, materials, photo masks, and facilities greatly hinders the commercialization potential of disposable epidermal electronics. In contrast, an embodiment of the invention includes a low cost, high throughput, bench top “cut-and-paste” method to complete the freeform manufacture of epidermal sensor system (ESS) in minutes. This versatile method works for many types of thin metal and polymeric sheets and is compatible with many tattoo adhesives or medical tapes. The resultant ESS is highly multimaterial and multifunctional and may measure ECG, EMG, skin temperature, skin hydration, as well as respiratory rate. Also, a stretchable planar coil made of serpentine ribbons can be used as a wireless strain gauge and/or a near field communication (NFC) antenna. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Nanshu Lu, Shixuan Yang, Pulin Wang
  • Patent number: 9554484
    Abstract: Disclosed are appendage mountable electronic systems and related methods for covering and conforming to an appendage surface. A flexible or stretchable substrate has an inner surface for receiving an appendage, including an appendage having a curved surface, and an opposed outer surface that is accessible to external surfaces. A stretchable or flexible electronic device is supported by the substrate inner and/or outer surface, depending on the application of interest. The electronic device in combination with the substrate provides a net bending stiffness to facilitate conformal contact between the inner surface and a surface of the appendage provided within the enclosure. In an aspect, the system is capable of surface flipping without adversely impacting electronic device functionality, such as electronic devices comprising arrays of sensors, actuators, or both sensors and actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: John A Rogers, Ming Ying, Andrew Bonifas, Nanshu Lu
  • Publication number: 20160278651
    Abstract: Epidermal electronics are sensors with mechanical properties matching human epidermis. Their manufacturing process includes photolithography and dry and wet etching within cleanroom facilities. The high cost of manpower, materials, photo masks, and facilities greatly hinders the commercialization potential of disposable epidermal electronics. In contrast, an embodiment of the invention includes a low cost, high throughput, bench top “cut-and-paste” method to complete the freeform manufacture of epidermal sensor system (ESS) in minutes. This versatile method works for many types of thin metal and polymeric sheets and is compatible with many tattoo adhesives or medical tapes. The resultant ESS is highly multimaterial and multifunctional and may measure ECG, EMG, skin temperature, skin hydration, as well as respiratory rate. Also, a stretchable planar coil made of serpentine ribbons can be used as a wireless strain gauge and/or a near field communication (NFC) antenna. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Nanshu Lu, Shixuan Yang, Pulin Wang