Multi-Element Piezo Sensor Layout for Nonintrusive Vital Sign Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional monitoring systems for sleep and vital signs are often expensive, bulky, and require direct contact with the user, leading to discomfort and inaccurate analysis due to disruption of sleep. Additionally, these systems typically rely on a single type of measurement, signal, and mode of operation, resulting in insufficient and inaccurate information.
Innovation Solution
The development of multi-element piezo sensors that generate multiple electrical signals, allowing for the analysis of vital signs across multiple regions of the body. These sensors include corrugations for increased sensitivity, electrically isolated electrode sections for enhanced resolution, and configurations for force concentration and Poisson conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional monitoring equipment is used, then monitoring capability is provided, but the equipment is expensive and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical and electronic monitoring equipment with a piezoelectric sensor system that converts mechanical pressure from the body into electrical signals. This substitution enables compact, portable monitoring devices that eliminate the need for bulky traditional equipment while maintaining monitoring capability through the piezoelectric effect.
2Measurement precision
If direct contact monitoring is performed, then vital signs can be measured, but user comfort decreases and sleep disruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin piezoelectric film sensors that can be integrated into flexible substrates such as mattresses or wearable textiles. These thin-film sensors maintain close contact with the body for accurate physiological measurement while being sufficiently flexible and comfortable to minimize user discomfort and sleep disruption.
3Device complexity
If single-type measurement systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but measurement accuracy and information completeness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-element piezoelectric sensor system where multiple sensor elements can detect different physiological parameters simultaneously. The system is configured to measure various vital signs including respiration rate, heart rate, and body position using the same piezoelectric platform, achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the piezoelectric sensor into multiple independent elements or zones that can individually detect different aspects of physiological activity. Each sensor element can be optimized for specific measurement types while working together to provide comprehensive vital signs monitoring, improving measurement precision through segmented detection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The multi-element piezo sensors provide accurate and comprehensive physiological measurements, enhancing sensitivity and resolution while reducing discomfort and sleep disruption. They enable the analysis of multiple vital signs and mechanical modalities, leading to more effective monitoring and analysis of user sleep and health.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor can include a piezo film and an insulator located between a pair of electrodes
Implementation Method 2
The piezo sensor can include one or more corrugations, such as peaks and valleys, to create localized regions with increased mechanical response (e.g., sensitivity) to force
Implementation Method 3
Force concentration can be performed by configuring one or more intermediate layers to have a tapered profile, including one or more structures to transfer the force to the piezo film elements
Implementation Method 4
piezo sensors configured for converting one type of force into another type of force by Poisson conversion
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are monitoring systems and sensors for physiological measurements. The sensors can be multi-element piezo sensors capable of generating multiple electrical signals, whereby the monitoring systems can receive the multiple electrical signals to analyze the user's vital signs along multiple regions of the user's body. In some examples, the piezo sensor can include one or more corrugations, such as peaks and valleys, to create localized regions with increased mechanical response to force. The sensitivity and resolution of the piezo sensor can be enhanced by further locating electrode sections at the corrugations, where the electrode sections can be electrically isolated and independently operable from other electrode sections. Traces electrically connecting an electrode section to, e.g., an off-panel controller can be routed over and/or around other electrode sections by including an insulator to electrically insulate from the other electrode sections, or by using vias to route through one or more layers.