Stretchable Printed Circuit

We have developed stretchable printed circuits for which the circuit operates while maintaining high reliability even when bent and stretched. We assume that these circuits will be used in applications such as medical and healthcare wearable devices that are affixed to the surface of the body to collect biological information. We have achieved both a great feeling when worn with minimal discomfort and highly accurate data collection.

*This product is simply an electronic component that can be used in some medical devices. It does not have any medical functions and it is not a medical device.

萝莉影视overview (Key features)
Video library
萝莉影视's strengths
Example of application in medical devices
Inquiries
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萝莉影视overview (Key features)

There are concerns in conventional bio-monitoring. These concerns include the sensor becoming unstuck when the body moves and damage to the delicate skin of infants and the elderly. Moreover, distortion in measurement data due to body movements and disturbance noise has also become an issue. There is risk of a decline in insulation and the occurrence of ion migration^*1 when using a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU), known as a stretchable base material, in a high humidity environment.

Accordingly, we have developed stretchable printed circuits whose electrodes and wiring do not lose conductivity even when bent and stretched by optimizing materials, design, and process technologies. The board is soft and stretches. Therefore, it follows the movements of the body and maintains a close fit even when attached to a mobile part. This can reduce the burden on the skin. Moreover, we place the operational amplifier near the electrode and form a shield layer in a multilayer structure. This makes it possible to reduce signal distortion due to the introduction of noise and disturbance noise caused by bending and stretching. In addition, we take measures against a reduction in insulation between the wiring which occurs when a TPU board is used. We use a board guaranteed to maintain high insulation even under high humidity. Therefore, it is possible to operate the circuit while maintaining functionality and safety.

*1Ion migration: This is a phenomena that causes short circuits in metal wiring pattern wiring and other elements formed on resin materials due to the application of a constant voltage in a high-humidity environment.

Video library

The stretchable printed circuits developed by 萝莉影视 Manufacturing with our unique technology are custom products that allow bio-electrodes and wiring to be formed on soft sheet-shaped boards that stretch. Please verify with your own eyes this revolutionary next-generation interface for medical applications.

萝莉影视's strengths

We realize what can be achieved with PCBs and FPCs on stretchable printed circuits.

Know-how on stretchable boards and electrode materials
Stretchable electrode printing (we have confirmed compliance with EC12^*2 through an in-house test)
Component mounting and board-to-board bonding technology
Characteristic prediction simulations based on stretching behavior
Coating with a safe base material (we have conducted a cytotoxicity test^*3 in-house)

The following four points are the strengths of 萝莉影视's stretchable printed circuits.

Stretchability

We have adopted a soft material with outstanding stretchability. The board is also thin at around 100 µm per layer. This reduces the discomfort in test subjects and the burden on their skin even when used for long periods of time. In addition, we have conducted an in-house test in accordance with ANSI/AAMI EC12^*2 on disposable electrocardiogram electrodes. We have adopted stretchable silver / silver chloride electrodes that passed that test. This means our stretchable printed circuits are not susceptible to disconnection and can be used safely even when stretched or bent.

Reliability

The unique board design of our stretchable printed circuits suppresses the occurrence of the ion migration^*1 that occurs when voltage is applied in a high-humidity environment. This realizes high insulation and long-term reliability. In addition, we conducted a cytotoxicity in-house test in accordance with ISO 10993^*3 from the perspective of biological safety. We have adopted the stretchable boards which passed that test.

Customization

Depending on the required specifications, it is possible to print electrodes and wiring on one stretchable board at a high density, mount semiconductors and electronic components, and join different types of board such as flexible circuit boards (FPCs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs). Therefore, our stretchable printed circuits can contribute to reducing the number of wires in devices, making devices wireless, and reducing the size and thickness of devices. Moreover, it is possible to measure precise signals by laminating the shield layer that suppresses electromagnetic noise on signal wiring.

萝莉影视's support setup

We provide a variety of technical support necessary for commercialization. This support includes various reliability tests and analysis support when defects occur in addition to the design of stretchable circuit boards. We also use the network in 萝莉影视 to provide local support overseas in addition to Japan.

*1Ion migration: This is a phenomena that causes short circuits in metal wiring pattern wiring and other elements formed on resin materials due to the application of a constant voltage in a high-humidity environment.
*2ANSI/AAMI EC12: This is a standard established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the U.S. Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). It stipulates the specifications required in the disposable electrodes used when conducting electrocardiograms and other tests.
*3ISO 10993: This is an international standard that evaluates the process for developing and manufacturing products that realize high bio-compatibility in relation to somatic cell toxicity such as in terms of sensitization and irritation to delayed allergic reactions in the skin.

Example of application in medical devices

It is possible to realize stretchable and soft devices suitable to be affixed to the human body

Stretchable bioelectrode array sheets for bio-potential and bioimpedance measurements such as electrocardiograms (ECGs), electroencephalograms (EEGs), and electromyographs (EMGs)
Active electrode sheets equipped with an amplifier near the bioelectrode
Wireless stretchable wearable patches equipped with BLEs, MCUs, and coin batteries
Multi-parameter measurement sheets equipped with various sensors such as thermistors and accelerometers
Shielded soft signal distribution cables

Stretchable bioelectrode array sheets for bio-potential and bioimpedance measurements
Active electrode sheets equipped with an amplifier near the bioelectrode
Wireless stretchable wearable patches