Patent Publication Number: US-10321872-B2

Title: Multi-purpose wearable patch for measurement and treatment

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates to wearable electronic devices, and in particular, to wearable patches that can attach to human skin. 
     Electronic patches can be used for tracking objects and for performing functions such as producing sound, light or vibrations, and so on. As applications and human needs become more sophisticated and complex, electronic patches are required to perform a rapidly increasing number of tasks. Electronic patches are often required to be conformal to curved surfaces, which in the case of human body, can vary overtime. 
     Electronic patches can communicate with smart phones and other devices using WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and other wireless technologies. NFC is a wireless communication standard that enables two devices to quickly establish communication within a short range around radio frequency of 13.56 MHz. NFC is more secure than other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi because NFC requires two devices in close proximity (e.g. less than 10 cm). NFC can also lower cost comparing to other wireless technologies by allowing one of the two devices to be passive (a passive NFC tag). 
     Bluetooth is another wireless communication standard for exchanging data over relatively longer distances (in tens of meters). It employs short wavelength UHF radio waves from 2.4 to 2.485 GHz from fixed or mobile devices. Bluetooth devices have evolved to meet the increasing demand for low-power solutions that is required for wearable electronics. Benefited from relatively longer reading distance and active communication, Bluetooth technologies allow wearable patches to continuously monitoring vital information without human interference, which is an advantage over NFC in many applications. 
     Wearable patch (or tag) is an electronic patch to be worn by a user. A wearable patch is required to stay on user&#39;s skin and operate for an extended period of time from hours to months. A wearable patch can contain a micro-electronic system that can be accessed using NFC, Bluetooth, WiFi, or other wireless technologies. A wearable patch can be integrated with different sensors for measurements such as vital signs monitoring. 
     Traditionally, treatments can be conducted on patients using probes wire connected with heavy immobile equipment. For example, Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) utilizes extremely small levels of electrical stimulation across the head of a patient for therapeutic treatment of anxiety, depression, insomnia and chronic pain. 
     There is therefore a need for convenient measurement of a patient&#39;s vital signs and other signals and treatment of the patient&#39;s symptoms. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosure discloses a dual-purpose wearable device that can conveniently measure a patient&#39;s vital signs and other signals and treat the patient&#39;s symptoms. The disclosed wearable patch is easy and comfortable to wear by patients and do not require wire connections to heavy equipment. 
     Moreover, measurements and treatments can be conducted by the disclosed dual purpose wearable patch and the disclosed multi-purpose wearable patch while a patient fulfills his or her normal daily activities. Thus treatments can be timely and dynamically applied which such needs arise according to measurements of vital body signals and other signals. 
     Furthermore, effects of treatments can be immediately monitored by the dual purpose wearable patch and the disclosed multi-purpose wearable patch after it applies treatment. 
     In one general aspect, the present invention relates to a multi-purpose wearable patch that includes a stretchable and permeable substrate, a first sensing unit mounted in the stretchable and permeable substrate, the sensing unit that can conduct a first measurement of a user to produce a first measurement signal, a treatment unit that can produce a first treatment field in the user&#39;s body; a circuit electrically connected with the treatment unit and the sensing unit; and a semiconductor chip in connection with the circuit and configured to receive the first measurement signal from the sensing unit, wherein the semiconductor chip can produce a first treatment control signal to control the treatment unit to produce a first treatment field in the user&#39;s body 
     Implementations of the system may include one or more of the following. The treatment unit can include a heater, wherein the semiconductor chip can produce the first treatment control signal to control the heater to produce heat in the user&#39;s body. The treatment unit can include one or more electrodes, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to produce the first treatment control signal to control the one or more electrodes to apply a voltage across the user&#39;s body. The semiconductor chip can produce a second treatment control signal to control the treatment unit to produce a second treatment field in the user&#39;s body. The semiconductor chip can control to control the treatment unit to produce the first treatment field in the user&#39;s body in response to the first measurement signal. The semiconductor chip can vary a type, timing, a frequency, or duration of the first treatment field in the user&#39;s body based on the first measurement signal. The semiconductor chip can control the first sensing unit to vary a type, timing, a frequency, or duration of the first measurement of the user based on the treatment field applied across the user&#39;s body. The semiconductor chip can switch the treatment unit and the sensing unit between a measurement mode and a treatment mode. The first sensing unit can include a mechanical sensor configured to measure a pulse or blood pressure of the user&#39;s body. The first sensing unit can include a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the user&#39;s skin or body. The multi-purpose wearable patch can further include a second sensing unit to conduct a second measurement of a user to produce a second measurement signal. The semiconductor chip can control to control the treatment unit to produce the first treatment field in the user&#39;s body in response to the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal. The semiconductor chip can vary a type, timing, a frequency, or duration of the first treatment field in the user&#39;s body based on the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal. The second sensing unit can include a mechanical sensor configured to measure a pulse or blood pressure of the user&#39;s body, or a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the user&#39;s skin or body. The multi-purpose wearable patch can further include a circuit substrate comprising the circuit and on the stretchable and permeable substrate, wherein the semiconductor chip is mounted on the circuit substrate; and a battery configured to supply power to the circuit and the semiconductor chip. The multi-purpose wearable patch can further include an antenna in electric connection with the semiconductor chip, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to produce electric signals to enable the antenna to wirelessly exchange measurement data based on the first measurement signal with an external device, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to produce electric signals to enable the antenna to wirelessly exchange treatment data with an external device, wherein the treatment control signal is at least in part based on the treatment data. The multi-purpose wearable patch can further include an adhesive layer between the stretchable and permeable substrate and the circuit substrate. The multi-purpose wearable patch can further include an elastic layer formed on the stretchable and permeable substrate, the circuit substrate, and the sensing unit. 
     In another aspect, the present invention relates to a dual purpose wearable patch that includes a stretchable and permeable substrate; a sensing unit mounted in the stretchable and permeable substrate, wherein the sensing unit is configured to conduct a measurement of a user to produce a measurement signal; one or more electrodes respectively attached to the stretchable and permeable substrate; a circuit substrate on the stretchable and permeable substrate, wherein the circuit substrate comprises a circuit electrically connected with the one or more electrodes and the sensing unit; and a semiconductor chip mounted on the circuit substrate and in connection with the circuit, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to receive the measurement signal from the sensing unit, wherein the semiconductor chip can produce a treatment control signal to control the one or more electrodes to apply a voltage across the user&#39;s body. 
     Implementations of the system may include one or more of the following. The semiconductor chip can produce a treatment control signal to control the one or more electrodes to apply a voltage across the user&#39;s body in response to a measurement signal. The dual purpose wearable patch can further include a battery configured to supply power to the circuit and the semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip can switch the circuit, the one or more electrodes, and the sensing unit into or off from a measurement mode and a treatment mode. The one or more electrodes can include a second electrode and a third electrode configured to apply a voltage across the user&#39;s body. The sensing unit can include a temperature sensor configured to measure the user&#39;s skin temperature, wherein the measurement signal comprises temperature data. The sensing unit can further include a thermally conductive cup having a bottom portion mounted in a first opening in the stretchable and permeable substrate, wherein the temperature sensor is positioned inside and is in thermal conduction cup with the conductive cup. The sensing unit can include a thermally-conductive adhesive that fixes the temperature sensor to an inner surface of the conductive cup; and a thermally insulating material in a top portion of the conductive cup. The sensing unit can include an accelerometer configured to measure movement of the user. The sensing unit can include a pressure sensor or a force sensor configured to measure blood pressure or pulse of the user. The semiconductor chip can control a type, a frequency, or duration of a measurement of the user by the sensing unit based on the voltage applied across the user&#39;s body. The dual purpose wearable patch can further include an antenna mounted on the circuit substrate and in electric connection with the semiconductor chip, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to produce electric signals to enable the antenna to wirelessly exchange measurement data based on the measurement signal with an external device, wherein the semiconductor chip can produce electric signals to enable the antenna to wirelessly exchange treatment data with an external device, wherein the treatment control signal is at least in part based on the treatment data. At least one of the one or more electrodes can include an electrically conductive cup that is electrically connected to the control circuit in the circuit substrate, wherein the stretchable and permeable substrate comprises a second opening in which the electrically conductive cup is mounted. The electrically conductive cup can be electrically connected with the circuit. The dual purpose wearable patch can further include an adhesive layer between the stretchable and permeable substrate and the circuit substrate. The dual purpose wearable patch can further include an elastic layer formed on the stretchable and permeable substrate, the circuit substrate, and the sensing unit. The sensing unit includes an accelerometer can measure the user&#39;s movement, wherein the measurement signal comprises movement data. The sensing unit can include a pressure sensor or a force sensor configured to measure the user&#39;s blood pressure and/or the user&#39;s pulse, wherein the measurement signal comprises pulse data and blood pressure data. 
     These and other aspects, their implementations and other features are described in detail in the drawings, the description and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates multi-purpose wearable patches attached to a user&#39;s skin. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplified dual purpose wearable patch for measurement and treatment in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed cross-sectional view of an exemplified sensing unit in the dual purpose wearable patch of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplified multi-purpose wearable patch for measurement and treatment in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , one or more multi-purpose wearable patches  100 ,  101  are attached to the skin of a user  110  for measuring body vital signs. The multi-purpose wearable patch  100  can be placed on the ears, the forehead, the hands, the shoulder, the waist, the leg, or the foot, under the armpit, around the wrist, on or around the arm, or other parts of a user&#39;s body. In the present disclosure, the term “wearable patch” can also be referred to as “wearable sticker”, “wearable tag”, or “wearable band”, etc. In the present disclosure, “a multi-purpose wearable patch” also includes “a dual purpose wearable patch”. 
     As discussed in more detail below, multi-purpose wearable patches  100 ,  101  can operate individually, or in a group to provide certain desired treatment or measurement. For example, the multi-purpose wearable patch  101  can wrap around a user&#39;s ear for applying an electric field through certain location of the ear. Similar, the disclosed multi-purpose wearable patch can wrap around a user&#39;s wrist for providing treatment and measurement. Moreover, the multi-purpose wearable patches  100 ,  101  can be attached to different parts of a user&#39;s body such as on the two ears or the two temples of the user  100 , which allows a low electric voltage signal to be applied across the user&#39;s head. 
     In accordance to the present invention, the disclosed multi-purpose wearable patch includes a treatment portion and a measurement portion. The measurement portion can measure vital signs, motion track, skin temperature, and ECG signals. The treatment portion can apply electrical signals, heat, and sometimes force or pressure to user&#39;s body. 
     In some embodiments, referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an exemplified dual purpose wearable patch  200  includes a stretchable and permeable substrate  205  that include openings  210 A,  210 B,  210 C. The stretchable and permeable substrate  205  can be made of soft foam materials such as EVA, PE, CR, PORON, EPD, SCF or fabric textile, to provide stretchability and breathability. The measurement portion of the disclosed dual purpose wearable patch  200  includes a sensing unit  300  mounted in the opening  210 C. The treatment portion of the disclosed dual purpose wearable patch  200  includes two electrodes  212 A,  212 B, respectively comprising electrically conductive cups  213 A,  213 B, are mounted in the openings  210 A,  210 B. A circuit substrate  216  and a battery  225  are bonded to the stretchable and permeable substrate  205  by an adhesive layer  215  pre-laminated on the stretchable and permeable substrate  205 . A semiconductor chip  220  and an antenna  230  are mounted on the circuit substrate  216 . The circuit substrate  216  includes an electric circuit therein and can for example be implemented with a printed circuit board. 
     The thermal conductive cup  302  in the sensing unit  300  is electrically connected with the circuit substrate  216  by a conductive line  240 , which in turn establishes electrical communication between the thermal conductive cup  302  and the semiconductor chip  220 . 
     An elastic layer  250  is also bonded to the stretchable and permeable substrate  205  by the adhesive layer  215  to the stretchable and permeable substrate  205 , and is also formed on the circuit substrate  216 , the sensing unit  300 , and the electrodes  212 A,  212 B. The elastic layer  250  can be formed by soft stretchable and permeable foam materials such as EVA, PE, CR, PORON, EPD, SCF, or fabric textile. A thin film  260  is formed on the elastic layer  250  for protection and cosmetic purposes. 
     In usage, an adhesive material formed on the lower surface of the stretchable and permeable substrate  205  is attached the user&#39;s skin, so that the bottom of the thermal conductive cup  302  is in tight contact with a user&#39;s skin to accurately measure temperature, electrical, or pressure signals from the user&#39;s skin, or apply electrical, thermal, or mechanical signals to the user&#39;s skin. The semiconductor chip  220  receives an electric signal from the temperature sensor  301  in response to a temperature measurement of the user&#39;s skin. 
     The Treatment Portion 
     In some embodiments, the electrically conductive cups  213 A,  213 B in the electrodes  212 A,  212 B are respectively electrically connected to the electric circuit in the circuit substrate  216  by conductive lines  214 A,  214 B (e.g. flexible ribbons embedded with conductive circuits). In accordance with the present application, the electrodes  212 A,  212 B can also be implemented in other configurations such as conductive pins, conductive pads, conductive buttons, or conductive strips. The semiconductor chip  220  can produce treatment electric signals, which can be amplified by an amplifier (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) with power supplied by the battery  225 , which is sent to the electrodes  212 A,  212 B via the conductive lines  214 A,  214 B. 
     In some embodiments, the electric voltage (typically in low amplitude) generated across the electrodes  212 A,  212 B is applied to the user&#39;s skin for therapeutic treatment. For example, such Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation treatment can be applied across the electrode in one disclosed dual purpose wearable patch across a user&#39;s ear lobe (e.g.  101  in  FIG. 1 ) or across a user&#39;s wrist. In another example, electrical voltage signals can be applied across electrodes in two disclosed dual purpose wearable patches (e.g.  100 ,  101  in  FIG. 1 ). In this case, a thin conductive wire behind the user&#39;s neck can be tethered to the two dual purpose wearable patches to provide proper ground for the voltage signals. 
     The semiconductor chip  220  can communicate with an external device such as a mobile phone or a computer via the antenna  230  in wireless signals. For example, the semiconductor chip  220  can receive a treatment plan from the external device. The wireless signal can be based on using WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and other wireless standards. The semiconductor chip  220  can general the treatment electric signals at durations, intervals, and amplitudes as defined in the treatment plan. 
     When the dual purpose wearable patch  200  is worn by a user, the antenna  230  is separated from the user&#39;s skin by the circuit substrate  216  and the stretchable and permeable substrate  205 , which minimizes the impact of the user&#39;s body on the transmissions of wireless signals by the antenna  230 . 
     Dynamic Treatment 
     In some embodiments, the semiconductor chip  220  can general the treatment electric signals at durations, intervals, and amplitudes based on the measurement data obtained from the sensing unit  300 , as described below. For example, the electrotherapy stimulation treatment can be adjusted based on the user&#39;s skin temperature, heart beats, and blood pressure measured by the sensing unit  300 . User&#39;s bio vital signals may indicate user&#39;s stress levels, which can be treated by appropriate waveforms of electrical signals. 
     The Measurement Portion 
     In some embodiments, in the measurement portion of the disclosed dual purpose wearable patch  200 , the sensing unit  300  includes a temperature sensor  301  in a thermal conductive cup  302  which has its bottom portion mounted into the large opening  210 C and fixed to the stretchable and permeable substrate  205  by an adhesive. The temperature sensor  301  is electrically connected to the electric circuit in the circuit substrate  216  by a flexible conductive ribbon  303 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the bottom portion of the thermal conductive cup  302  protrudes out of the lower surface of the stretchable and permeable substrate  205 . The lips of the thermal conductive cup  302  near its top portion are fixedly attached or bonded to bonding pads (not shown) on the stretchable and permeable substrate  205  by soldering or with an adhesive. The thermal conductive cup  302  is both thermally and electrically conductive. The thermal conductive cup  302  can be made of a thermally conductive metallic or alloy material such as copper, stainless steel, ceramic or carbide composite materials. 
     The temperature sensor  301  is attached to an inner surface near the bottom of the thermal conductive cup  302 . The temperature sensor  301  can be implemented, for example, by a thermistor, a Resistor Temperature Detector, or a Thermocouple. The temperature sensor  301  is in thermal conduction with the thermal conductive cup  302 . When an outer surface of the bottom portion of the thermal conductive cup  302  is in contact with a user&#39;s skin, the thermal conductive cup  302  thus effectively transfers heat from a user&#39;s skin to the temperature sensor  301 . A flexible conductive ribbon  303  is connected to the temperature sensor  301  in the thermal conductive cup  302  and to the electric circuit in the stretchable and permeable substrate  205 . 
     The temperature sensor  301  can send an electric signal to the semiconductor chip  220  via the electric circuit in response to a measured temperature. The semiconductor chip  220  processes the electric signal and output another electrical signal which enables the antenna  230  to transmit a wireless signal carrying the measurement data to another external device such as a mobile phone or a computer (its wireless signals, as described below, can be boosted by a charging and wireless boosting station). The wireless signal can be based on using WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and other wireless standards. The battery  225  powers the semiconductor chip  220 , the antenna  230 , the first and the second electric circuits, and possibly the temperature sensor  301 . 
     The temperature sensor  301  can be fixed to an inner surface at the bottom of the thermal conductive cup  302  by a thermally-conductive adhesive  304 , which allows effective heat transfer from the bottom of the thermal conductive cup  302  to the temperature sensor  301 . Examples of the thermally-conductive adhesive  304  can include electrically-insulative thermally-conductive epoxies and polymers. A thermally insulating material  305  filling the top portion of the thermal conductive cup  302  fixes the thermally-conductive adhesive  304  at the bottom of the thermal conductive cup  302  and reduces heat loss from the temperature sensor  301  to the elastic layer (described below) or the environment. The flexible conductive ribbon  303  can be bent and laid out along the wall the thermal conductive cup  302 . 
     Further details of the sensing unit are disclosed in the commonly assigned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/224,121 “Wearable thermometer patch for accurate measurement of human skin temperature”, filed Jul. 29, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     In some embodiments, the sensing unit  300  includes an accelerometer that can measure acceleration and movement of the user. In some embodiments, the sensing unit  300  includes a pressure sensor or a force sensor that can measure the user&#39;s pulses or blood pressure during or outside treatments. 
     In some embodiments, the sensing unit  300  includes one or more electrodes for measuring ECG signals. The electrode can for example be structured in an electrically conductive cup similar to the thermal conductive cup  302  described above. The ECG signal (voltage) can be measured across two of the electrodes or across one of the electrodes and one of the electrodes  212 A,  212 B (used as ground). In particular, the ECG signals can be measured when the electrotherapy simulation treatment is not conducted. 
     In some embodiments, the sensing unit  300  can include multiple sensors for temperature, movement, blood pressure, moisture, and pulse measurements. 
     Dynamic Measurement 
     In some embodiments, the semiconductor chip  220  can control the type(s), the timing, and frequencies of the measurement(s) by the sensing unit  300  in response to the types of treatment applied. For example, based on the timing, the durations, intervals, and amplitudes of the treatment electric signals, the frequencies, the durations and the type(s) of the measurement(s) can be varied to more accurately and more timely monitor the user&#39;s health conditions. 
     Mode Switching 
     The semiconductor chip  220  can control the circuit to switch the sensing unit  300  and the electrodes  210 A,  210 B into or off from a measurement mode, or into or off from a treatment mode. The mode switching can be specified in the treatment plan received from an external device, or dynamically adjusted according to the user&#39;s vital signals and responsiveness to treatment. 
     Personalized Medicine 
     Since the disclosed dual purpose wearable patch is worn by an individual patient, the disclosed dual purpose patch is ideal for personalized medical treatment. Each treatment plan download into the disclosed dual purpose wearable patch can be individualized according to the patient&#39;s needs. 
     Moreover, the disclosed dual purpose wearable patch can significantly enhance the effectiveness of individualized treatments for patients. In particular, treatments can be dynamically adjusted according to the current condition of the user as indicated by the bio vital signals currently measured from the user. 
     Multi-Purpose Wearable Patch 
     In some embodiments, referring to  FIG. 4 , a multi-purpose wearable patch  400  includes a stretchable and permeable substrate  405  that includes openings  410 A,  410 B,  410 C. The stretchable and permeable substrate  405  can be made of soft foam materials such as EVA, PE, CR, PORON, EPD, SCF or fabric textile, to provide stretchability and breathability. A circuit substrate  416  and a battery  425  are bonded to the stretchable and permeable substrate  405  by an adhesive layer  415  pre-laminated on the stretchable and permeable substrate  405 . A semiconductor chip  420  and an antenna  430  are mounted on the circuit substrate  416 . The circuit substrate  416  includes an electric circuit therein and can for example be implemented with a printed circuit board. 
     In the multi-purpose wearable patch  400 , the semiconductor chip  420  receives and processes different types of measurement signals from different sensing units. The measurement signals can reflect the user&#39;s health, mental, and psychological states. The semiconductor chip  420  can send out treatment signals for controlling treatment portion to conduct treatments on the user (e.g. thermal, electrical, mechanical, etc.). 
     The multi-purpose wearable patch  400  includes a measurement portion that includes a sensor unit  450  mounted in the opening  410 A and a sensing unit  300  mounted in the opening  410 C. The sensing unit  300  includes a temperature sensor  301  in a thermal conductive cup  302  which has its bottom portion mounted into the large opening  410 C and fixed to the stretchable and permeable substrate  405  by an adhesive. The temperature sensor  301  is electrically connected to the electric circuit in the circuit substrate  416  by a flexible conductive ribbon  303 . When an outer surface of the bottom portion of the thermal conductive cup  302  is in contact with a user&#39;s skin, the thermal conductive cup  302  thus effectively transfers heat from a user&#39;s skin to the temperature sensor  301 . A flexible conductive ribbon ( 303  in  FIG. 3 ) is connected to the temperature sensor  301  in the thermal conductive cup  302  and to the electric circuit in the stretchable and permeable substrate  405 . The temperature sensor  301  can send an electric signal to the semiconductor chip  420  via the electric circuit in response to a measured temperature. Details about the sensing unit  300  are described above in relation to  FIG. 3 . 
     The thermal conductive cup  302  in the sensing unit  300  can be electrically conductive. The thermal conductive cup  302  is electrically connected with the circuit substrate  416  by a conductive line  440 , which establishes electrical communication between the thermal conductive cup  302  and the semiconductor chip  420 . When the thermally and electrically conductive cup  302  is in electric contact with a user&#39;s skin, the semiconductor chip  420  can receive an EEG signal via the conductive cup  302  from the skin of the user. 
     The sensor unit  450  includes a cup  413 A and a mechanical sensor  412 A mounted in a window at the bottom of the cup  413 A. The mechanical sensor  412 A can detect a pressure or a vibration in the user skin or body when the bottom of the cup  413 A is in contact of the user&#39;s skin. The mechanical sensor  412 A can include a piezoelectric material that produce electrical signal in response to pressure or stress. In one implementation, the mechanical sensor  412 A can include a membrane coated with a piezoelectric material that produces an electrical signal in response to pressure, mechanical disturbances, or vibrations. In some implementations, the mechanical sensor  412 A is an integrated micromechanical electrical system (MEMS) device that can be micro-fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. When the mechanical sensor  412 A is in contact with user&#39;s skin, the vibrations or pressure variations caused by the user&#39;s heart beats and blood pressure can be detected; the mechanical sensor  412 A sends a measurement signal to the semiconductor chip  420  via conductive lines  414 A. The semiconductor chip  420  can extract the user&#39;s pulse and blood pressure information from the measurement signal. 
     Other measurements compatible with the multi-purpose wearable patch can include movement, acceleration, moisture, etc. 
     The disclosed multi-purpose wearable patch  400  includes a treatment unit  470  that includes a heater  412 B attached to a thermally conductive cup  413 B mounted in the opening  410 B. The heater  412 B can be a thermal resistor that produces heat when applied with a voltage. The heater  412 B is electrically connected to the electric circuit in the circuit substrate  416  via conductive lines  414 B can be controlled by the semiconductor chip  420 . The semiconductor chip  420  can produce treatment electric signals, which can be amplified by an amplifier (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) with power supplied by the battery  425 , which is sent to control the heater  412 B via the conductive lines  414 B. Under the control the treatment electric signals, the heater  412 B can produce heat to treat the user&#39;s skin and body. The heating can be applied in different waveforms such as static, pulses, and waveforms of varying frequencies. Heat treatments can be used to reduce or cure muscle or joint pains, mental stress, and to increase blood circulation, etc. As described above, the treatment unit  470  can also include electrodes that produce electrical voltage across the user&#39;s skin or body under the control of the semiconductor chip  420 . In general, the treatment unit  470  can produce treatment field(s) in the user the skin or body, such treatments including electrical, heat, mechanical, magnetic and other fields, which can provide therapy or relaxation to the user. 
     An elastic layer  450  is also bonded to the stretchable and permeable substrate  405  by the adhesive layer  415  to the stretchable and permeable substrate  405 , and is also formed on the circuit substrate  416 , the sensing unit  300 , the mechanical sensor  412 A, and the heater  412 B. The elastic layer  450  can be formed by soft stretchable and permeable foam materials such as EVA, PE, CR, PORON, EPD, SCF, or fabric textile. A thin film  460  is formed on the elastic layer  450  for protection and cosmetic purposes. 
     In usage, an adhesive material formed on the lower surface of the stretchable and permeable substrate  405  is attached the user&#39;s skin, so that the bottom of the thermal conductive cup  302  is in tight contact with a user&#39;s skin to accurately measure temperature, electrical, or pressure signals from the user&#39;s skin, or apply electrical, thermal, or mechanical signals to the user&#39;s skin. The semiconductor chip  420  receives an electric signal from the temperature sensor  301  in response to a temperature measurement of the user&#39;s skin. 
     Similar to the description above, the multi-purpose wearable patch  400  can conduct dynamic measurement and dynamic treatment for applications in personalized medicine. In dynamic measurement, the sensing unit  300  and the sensor unit  450  the type(s), the timing, and frequencies of the measurement(s) by the sensing unit  300  in response to the types of treatment applied by the heater  412 B under the control of the semiconductor chip  420 . For example, based on the timing, the durations, intervals, and amplitudes of the treatment electric signals, the timing, the frequencies, the durations and the type(s) of the measurement(s) can be varied to more accurately and more timely monitor the user&#39;s health conditions. 
     Similarly, in dynamic treatment, the semiconductor chip  420  can general the treatment electric signals at durations, intervals, and amplitudes based on the measurement data obtained from the sensing units  300 ,  450 , as described below. For example, the electrotherapy stimulation treatment can be adjusted based on the user&#39;s skin temperature, heart beats, and blood pressure measured by the sensing units  300 ,  450 . User&#39;s bio vital signals may indicate user&#39;s stress levels, which can be treated by appropriate waveforms of electrical signals for heat or electrical treatments. 
     Furthermore, the semiconductor chip  420  can control the circuit to switch the sensing units  300 ,  450  and the heater  412 B between measurement mode, a treatment mode, an off mode or a dynamic mode. The mode switching can be specified in the treatment plan received from an external device, or dynamically adjusted according to the user&#39;s vital signals and responsiveness to treatment. 
     Other details about wearable patches capable of performing measurement and charging functions are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/423,585, titled “A wearable patch comprising three electrodes for measurement and charging”, filed Feb. 3, 2017, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/406,380, titled “A wearable thermometer patch for correct measurement of human skin temperature”, filed Jan. 13, 2017, and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/414,549, titled “A wearable thermometer patch for measuring temperature and electrical signals”, filed Jan. 24, 2017. The disclosures in the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     The disclosed dual purpose wearable patch and multi-purpose wearable patch are stretchable, compliant, durable, and comfortable to wear by users. The disclosed wearable thermometer patch includes a flexible substrate covered and protected by an elastic layer that increases the flexibility and stretchability. 
     Another advantage of the disclosed dual purpose wearable patch and multi-purpose wearable patch is that it can significantly increase wireless communication range by placing the antenna on the upper surface of the circuit substrate. The thickness of the substrate as well as the height of the thermally conductive cup can be selected to allow enough distance between the antenna and the user&#39;s skin to minimize interference of user&#39;s body to the wireless transmission signals. 
     While this document contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of an invention that is claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this document in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination. 
     Only a few examples and implementations are described. Other implementations, variations, modifications and enhancements to the described examples and implementations may be made without deviating from the spirit of the present invention.