Flexible sensor for wearable artificial throat
The multi-unit array sensor prepared by combining functional materials with different modulus and electrospinning process solves the problem of large modulus and lack of tensile properties in throat vibration detection, and achieves high-precision and comfortable throat vibration detection.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510239613.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-03
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-18
AI Technical Summary
The existing flexible sensors have large modulus and no tensile properties in throat vibration detection, which limits accuracy and comfort, making it difficult to achieve high strain resolution and multi-dimensional vibration detection, and have poor repeatability.
The functional materials with different modulus are used to combine functional materials, including stretchable substrates, electrodes, dielectric layers, insulating layers, shielding layers and piezoelectric sensing units. Silver nanowires and low-modulus elastic polymer composites are prepared through electrospinning process to form a multi-unit array sensor, which combines high-frequency vibration and high strain resolution.
It realizes accurate detection of static tensile strain in the throat and efficient acquisition of multi-channel vibration signals, taking into account comfort and biocompatibility, and is suitable for long-term use.
Smart Images
Figure CN120333603A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vibration detection of wearable artificial larynx, and particularly to a flexible sensor for a wearable artificial larynx. Background Art
[0002] In China, more than 300,000 people lose their voices every year due to accidents, diseases and other reasons. Traditional artificial larynx is similar to a "microphone", which needs to be placed against the larynx for vibration detection and then converted into sound. For patients, the device is large in size, uncomfortable, troublesome to use, with poor pronunciation experience, distorted and blurred sound. With the development of flexible wearable electronic technology, it has become one of the important development directions of artificial larynx to use flexible elastic sensing technology to attach to the throat for sensing dynamic strain and vibration, and further combine algorithms and AI technology to restore it into sound.
[0003] Flexible strain sensors mainly include capacitive strain sensors, piezoelectric strain sensors, piezoresistive strain sensors, etc. Flexible capacitive strain sensors are sensors that detect different forces by changing the electrode area and electrode spacing. Piezoelectric strain sensors are sensors that use piezoelectric materials to convert pressure into electrical signals. Flexible piezoelectric strain sensors generally use ferroelectric polymers PVDF and their derivatives, and their Young's modulus is generally about 2 GPa, which can be bent but not stretched. For example, a piezoelectric sensor for the automotive industry has been designed. This piezoelectric sensor is made of PVDF and is used to detect the pressure applied to the car seat. Flexible piezoelectric sensors are generally used for the detection of dynamic compressive stress and are suitable for the detection of laryngeal vibration and sound production. Piezoresistive strain sensors convert external forces into changes in resistance, and then the changes in external forces can be conveniently detected indirectly by an electrical testing system. For example, strain gauges on a polyimide substrate are used to detect the bending states of fingers and joints. This kind of flexible strain sensor can detect bending strain. However, due to its lack of stretchability and the general modulus of 2 GPa, the detection accuracy and comfort are limited. Considering that sensors on general flexible plastic substrates have a large modulus and lack stretchability, which limit the reliable and comfortable detection of laryngeal vocal cord vibrations, flexible and stretchable strain sensors with a lower modulus can be used. Flexible and stretchable strain sensors generally consist of elastomeric materials and functional materials. Using conductive functional materials, including conductive nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanosheets (such as carbon black particles, silver particles, graphene, carbon nanotubes, silver nanowires, etc.) and polymer matrices for compounding is a common method to obtain stretchable strain sensors. When the conductive material reaches the percolation threshold, the composite material conducts electricity. Under the action of force, its shape and the contact between the conductive materials change, thereby causing a change in resistance. Using inorganic conductive materials and polymers for compounding can measure tensile strains exceeding 100%. However, during the stretching process, the contact between the conductive materials will undergo irreversible changes, resulting in poor repeatability of the stretchable stress sensor. In addition, its modulus is generally also above several tens of MPa and is still relatively hard. It is still difficult to stably and reliably achieve a strain of 0.01% in terms of detection accuracy and reliability, and experience fatigue of more than one million times, etc. Therefore, there are still certain limitations in the detection of laryngeal attachment vibrations.
[0004] In summary, although significant progress has been made in flexible and stretchable strain sensors, in combination with the requirements of multi-dimensional vibrations of laryngeal vocal cords, there is still a need to develop composite flexible vibration sensors with a lower modulus close to the skin, high strain resolution (0.01%), multi-dimensional vibration detection, and fast response. Summary of the Invention
[0005] In view of the current technical status of the sensors for wearable artificial larynx, the present invention proposes a flexible sensor for wearable artificial larynx, which combines functional materials with different moduli such as GPa and MPa, taking into account both high-frequency vibration characteristics and high strain resolution, while maintaining comfort and biocompatibility.
[0006] To achieve the above object, the technical solutions adopted by the present invention are as follows.
[0007] The present invention proposes a flexible sensor for wearable artificial larynx, which mainly consists of a stretchable substrate, stretchable electrodes, a stretchable dielectric layer, a stretchable insulating layer, a stretchable shielding layer, a strain isolation unit and a piezoelectric sensing unit. Among them, the stretchable electrodes, the stretchable dielectric layer and the stretchable electrodes form a sandwich structure to form a stretchable strain sensing unit, which is located on the stretchable substrate; the stretchable insulating layer is located on the stretchable electrode layer; the stretchable shielding layer, the strain isolation unit, the piezoelectric sensing unit and the stretchable shielding layer form a flexible vibration sensing unit, and an elastomeric material is filled between the two stretchable shielding layers.
[0008] The described flexible sensor for wearable artificial larynx, the stretchable strain sensing unit is composed of N strain sensing units arranged in parallel in the horizontal plane, N≥2, the width of the sensing unit is ≥1 mm and ≤10 mm, meeting the detection requirements of the static tensile strain in the horizontal direction of the larynx.
[0009] The described flexible sensor for wearable artificial larynx, the number M of the piezoelectric sensing units is ≥6, the diameter of the piezoelectric sensing unit is ≥1 mm and ≤10 mm, meeting the detection requirements of the vertical vibration signal.
[0010] The stretchable substrate, the stretchable dielectric layer and the stretchable insulating layer are made of silver nanowires and an elastic polymer with a modulus ≤10 MPa by electrospinning, and are in an insulating state.
[0011] The stretchable electrodes and the stretchable shielding layer are made of silver nanowires and an elastic polymer with a modulus ≤10 MPa by electrospinning, and are in a conductive state.
[0012] The strain isolation unit is composed of silver nanowires and a polymer with a modulus ≥100 MPa.
[0013] The piezoelectric sensing unit is a PVDF flexible ferroelectric series.
[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: (1) An array-type multi-unit stretchable strain sensor is adopted, which can monitor the static stretching in the horizontal direction of the larynx in real time. Since the capacitive stretchable strain sensor has high resolution, the detection of static strain of 0.01% can be realized; (2) By adopting an array-type multi-unit PVDF piezoelectric sensor, multi-unit and multi-channel acquisition of laryngeal vibrations can be achieved, and detection of minute vibrations at different positions of the larynx can be compatible; (3) By fusing an elastic polymer with a modulus ≤ 10 MPa, a polymer with a modulus ≥ 100 MPa, and PVDF with a modulus reaching the GPa level, etc., the requirements for comfortable stretchability are met, and the influence of strain on the PVDF unit is isolated, compatible with the requirements for comfort and precision detection; (4) By adopting the electrospinning process, a breathable effect is achieved, suitable for long-term use in the larynx. Especially when combined with silver nanowires, it has an antibacterial effect. Description of the Drawings
[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a flexible sensor for a wearable artificial larynx of the present invention.
[0016] 1 - Stretchable substrate, 2 - Stretchable electrode, 3 - Stretchable dielectric layer, 4 - Stretchable insulating layer, 5 - Stretchable shielding layer, 6 - Strain isolation unit, 7 - Piezoelectric sensing unit. Specific Embodiment
[0017] This embodiment proposes a specific solution for a flexible sensor for a wearable artificial larynx. Its structure mainly includes a stretchable substrate 1, a stretchable electrode 2, a stretchable dielectric layer 3, a stretchable insulating layer 4, a stretchable shielding layer 5, a strain isolation unit 6, and a piezoelectric sensing unit 7. Among them, the stretchable electrode 2, the stretchable dielectric layer 3, and the stretchable electrode 2 form a sandwich structure to form a stretchable strain sensing unit, which is located on the stretchable substrate 1; the stretchable insulating layer 4 is located on the stretchable electrode layer 2; the stretchable shielding layer 5, the strain isolation unit 6, the piezoelectric sensing unit 7, and the stretchable shielding layer 5 form a flexible vibration sensing unit, and an elastic TPU soft material is filled between the two stretchable shielding layers. Among them, the stretchable strain sensing unit is composed of 5 strain sensing units arranged in parallel in the horizontal plane. The width of the sensing unit is 5 mm, meeting the detection requirements for the horizontal static tensile strain of the larynx from 0.01% to 10%. The number of piezoelectric sensing units is 10, and the diameter of the piezoelectric sensing unit is 2 mm, meeting the detection requirements for vertical vibration signals. The stretchable substrate, the stretchable dielectric layer, and the stretchable insulating layer are made of silver nanowires and an elastic polymer with a modulus of 1 MPa through electrospinning and present an insulating state. The stretchable electrode and the stretchable shielding layer are made of silver nanowires and an elastic polymer with a modulus of 1 MPa through electrospinning and present a conductive state. The strain isolation unit is composed of silver nanowires and silica gel with a modulus of 100 MPa. The piezoelectric sensing unit is PVD-Trfe.
[0018] In view of the problems perceived by wearable artificial larynx sensors, the present invention combines functional materials with different moduli such as GPa and MPa, taking into account both high-frequency vibration characteristics and high strain resolution, while maintaining comfort and biocompatibility, and has important application potential in the field of artificial larynx sensing.
[0019] The above-described embodiments have elaborated on the technical solutions of the present invention. It should be understood that the above are only specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, supplements, or substitutions in a similar manner within the scope of the principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A flexible sensor for a wearable artificial larynx, characterized in that: The sensor mainly consists of a stretchable substrate, stretchable electrodes, a stretchable dielectric layer, a stretchable insulating layer, a stretchable shielding layer, a strain isolation unit and a piezoelectric sensing unit. Among them, the stretchable electrodes, the stretchable dielectric layer and the stretchable electrodes form a sandwich structure to form a stretchable strain sensing unit, which is located on the stretchable substrate; the stretchable insulating layer is located on the stretchable electrode layer; the stretchable shielding layer, the strain isolation unit, the piezoelectric sensing unit and the stretchable shielding layer form a flexible vibration sensing unit, and an elastomeric material is filled between the two stretchable shielding layers.
2. The flexible sensor for a wearable artificial larynx according to claim 1, wherein: The stretchable strain sensing unit is composed of N strain sensing units arranged in parallel in the horizontal plane, N≥2, the width of the sensing unit is ≥1 mm and ≤10 mm, meeting the detection requirements of the horizontal static tensile strain of the throat.
3. The flexible sensor for a wearable artificial larynx according to claim 1, wherein: The number M of the piezoelectric sensing units is ≥6, the diameter of the piezoelectric sensing units is ≥1 mm and ≤10 mm, meeting the detection requirements of the vertical vibration signal.
4. The flexible sensor for a wearable artificial larynx according to claim 1, wherein: The stretchable substrate, the stretchable dielectric layer and the stretchable insulating layer are made of silver nanowires and an elastic polymer with a modulus ≤10 MPa by electrospinning, and are in an insulating state.
5. The flexible sensor for a wearable artificial larynx according to claim 1, wherein: The stretchable electrodes and the stretchable shielding layer are made of silver nanowires and an elastic polymer with a modulus ≤10 MPa by electrospinning, and are in a conductive state.
6. The flexible sensor for a wearable artificial larynx according to claim 1, wherein: The strain isolation unit is composed of silver nanowires and a polymer with a modulus ≥100 MPa.
7. A flexible sensor for a wearable artificial larynx according to claim 1, characterized in that: The piezoelectric sensing unit is a PVDF flexible ferroelectric series.