Piezoelectric Transducer Array for Blood Velocity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive wearable sensors are unable to accurately detect blood pressure over extended periods, and existing technologies face challenges in precisely locating arteries for effective blood velocity measurement, which affects signal quality and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer with a substrate configured at a fixed non-zero angle for precise blood velocity measurement, combined with phased arrays and micro-mechanical adjustments for improved spatial and angular resolution, enabling accurate detection of blood velocity and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sensors are used for blood pressure detection, then the device can be worn on the body, but the measurement precision and spatial resolution are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple independent piezoelectric transducer elements arranged in an array, where each element can be independently controlled to scan different angular positions. This segmentation enables high spatial resolution blood velocity measurement while keeping each individual element simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular dimension scanning by arranging transducer elements in an array and controlling them to scan at different angles relative to the blood vessel. This adds an angular dimension to the measurement, enabling precise localization of the blood vessel and accurate blood velocity measurement without increasing the linear size of the device.
2Measurement precision
If the transducer array scans at multiple angles to locate the artery, then the measurement precision improves, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric transducer elements are activated in a periodic scanning sequence, where each element is activated for a short duration to measure blood velocity at its specific angular position. This periodic activation reduces the total power consumption compared to continuous operation, while still achieving accurate artery localization through angular scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning process continuously collects blood velocity data from multiple angular positions, maintaining continuous monitoring capability. The system processes data from all scanned angles to determine the optimal measurement angle, ensuring continuous useful action for blood pressure detection while managing power consumption through efficient scanning protocols.
3Device complexity
If a single piezoelectric transducer is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect blood velocity accurately is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple simple piezoelectric transducer elements are merged into a coordinated array system, where each element contributes to the overall blood velocity measurement. The combination of multiple elements provides accurate blood velocity detection while keeping individual elements simple, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric transducer array serves multiple functions: it can scan at different angles to locate the blood vessel, measure blood velocity at optimal angles, and provide continuous monitoring. This multi-functionality achieves accurate blood velocity detection with a relatively simple transducer design, as the same basic element structure is reused across the array.
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
Enables continuous monitoring of blood pressure with enhanced spatial and angular resolution, improving signal quality and reducing power consumption in wearable devices.
Implementation Method 1
An ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer includes a piezoelectric substrate, an upper electrode and a lower electrode
Implementation Method 2
The transmitter and the receiver are mirror symmetric with respect to each other... the receiver receives the reflected ultrasonic signal
Implementation Method 3
the receiver receives the reflected ultrasonic signal and converts the signal to a corresponding electrical signal. A signal processor is electrically connected to the piezoelectric receiver and is configured to process the electrical signals to determine blood velocity
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting blood velocity within a blood vessel includes a piezoelectric transducer supported on a ceramic substrate. The ceramic substrate supports the piezoelectric transducer at a fixed angle of incidence that is greater than 0° and less than 90°. The ceramic substrate is formed of steatite ceramic and is configured to couple an ultrasonic signal emitted by the transducer to skin underlying the substrate.