KR100754507B1 - Piezoelectric sensor for measuring pulse wave and the measuing system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a piezoelectric sensor for measuring a pulse wave using a piezoelectric material and a pulse wave measuring system capable of analyzing and displaying a pulse wave signal measured using the same in real time. The piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement may include a pipe-shaped outer housing; A pulse wave receiving unit inserted into and fixed to an upper end of the outer housing to be in contact with the living body; A piezoelectric transducer composed of a piezoelectric single crystal material having a metal electrode film on both sides thereof, and an elastic vibrator attached to one surface of the piezoelectric single crystal material, and converting a pulse wave signal transmitted in close contact with the bottom surface of the pulse wave receiving unit to an electrical signal; A support for firmly supporting a lower portion of the piezoelectric transducer; It characterized in that it comprises a wire connected to the piezoelectric transducer for the transmission of electrical signals.

Piezoelectric transducers, Biosensors, Telemetry, Measuring systems, Pulse wave, Blood pressure

Description

Piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement and pulse wave measurement system using it {PIEZOELECTRIC SENSOR FOR MEASURING PULSE WAVE AND THE MEASUING SYSTEM USING THE SAME}

1 is an exploded perspective view of a piezoelectric sensor for measuring pulse waves according to the present invention;

2 is a cross-sectional structure diagram of the piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement of FIG. 1;

3 is a view showing an example in which the piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement of FIG. 1 is implemented in a boneless form according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a state diagram using the thimble-type piezoelectric sensor according to the embodiment of FIG.

5 is a view showing an example in which the piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement of FIG. 1 is implemented in a ring shape according to another embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a state diagram of use of the ring-shaped piezoelectric sensor according to the embodiment of FIG.

7 is a block diagram of a pulse wave measuring system according to the present invention;

8 is a block diagram showing an analysis process of a pulse wave signal according to the present invention;

9 is a diagram showing an example in which the pulse wave signal analyzed according to the present invention is visualized and displayed as a waveform;

10 is a conceptual diagram of a pulse wave measuring system according to the present invention;

11 is a block diagram of a blood pressure and pulse wave measuring system to which a piezoelectric pressure sensor according to the present invention is applied.

** Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawings **

100: piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement 110: housing

112: flange 120: pulse wave receiver

130: piezoelectric transducer 132: piezoelectric single crystal

134: elastic vibration body 136: metal electrode film

140: support 142: step

150: wire 160: printed circuit board (PCB)

162a, 162b: Connector 164: Hole

170: spacer 172: hole

180, 180 ': receptor 182, 182': support

184: tooth profile 186: protrusion

200: sensor device 210: piezoelectric transducer

220: amplifier 230: noise filter

240: A / D converter 250: Wired / wireless transmission port

300: information processing device 400: display device

500: sound output device 700: finger

800: living body

The present invention relates to a piezoelectric sensor for measuring pulse waves using a piezoelectric material, and a pulse wave measuring system capable of analyzing and displaying a pulse wave signal measured using the same in real time.

In general, the pulse wave is used as a basic data for diagnosis in the medical and oriental medicine fields, and according to the shape of the pulse wave, it is known that the types of swelling, acupuncture, gastrointestinal tract, large and small, etc. reflect the health of the individual. Accordingly, in the medical / medicine field, a means for quantitatively measuring pulse waves has been requested for the purpose of analyzing accurate health information of a subject by using measured pulse waves.

As an example of a conventional pulse wave sensor, an electronic sensor having a microphone that passes through an air layer, such as a condenser microphone, or a dynamic microphone using Faraday's law, a semiconductor pressure sensor of a pressure resistance type, and a piezoelectric sensor using a piezoelectric material are used.

 However, the conventional pulse wave sensor has a problem that the range of blood pressure that can be detected is extremely limited. For example, in the case of an electronic sensor having a condenser microphone, it is not suitable for detecting a pulse wave signal of less than 30 Hz because bio signals in the low frequency region cannot be properly detected. Even in the case of an electronic sensor equipped with a dynamic microphone using Faraday's law, a biosignal displayed as a waveform such as a pulse wave must be subjected to amplification and noise filtering in order to compensate for poor response characteristics of a biosignal in a low frequency region. It is not suitable for measuring.

On the other hand, recently developed piezoelectric pressure sensors utilize the property of generating electrical polarization when the piezoelectric material is subjected to mechanical stress, and causing physical displacement when receiving an electric field from the outside, especially when blood flow is resumed in relation to pulse wave. It is known to be useful for detecting kortkoff sounds caused by vortices of blood.

The conventional piezoelectric pressure sensor adopts a method of amplifying a pulse wave by using a diaphragm in a head part, such as a stethoscope, and transferring the pulse wave to a piezoelectric body, which is vulnerable to detecting a fine pulse wave signal.

On the other hand, the performance of the piezoelectric pressure sensor, that is, the magnitude of the electrical polarization induced by the mechanical stress largely depends on the piezoelectric constant of the ceramic or polymer material used. The piezoelectric constants of conventional piezoelectric ceramics are about 2.3 pC / N for quartz, 140 pC / N for titanium barium, and about 360 pC / N for PZT, and the piezoelectric constant of polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films is as low as 30 pC / N. As a pressure sensor employing such a piezoelectric ceramic or polymer, there is a limit in detecting a minute biosignal having a waveform such as a pulse wave.

In addition, the conventional pulse wave sensor is a structure that only a small number of experts, such as a doctor, can be used only at the moment of treatment in a very limited place, so that the pulse wave is measured and the health status of the subject is checked in real time using the measured pulse wave. The process of separating and limiting spatially and temporally is an obstacle to the generalization of pulse wave sensors.

An object of the present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, the general purpose pulse wave measuring piezoelectric sensor for measuring non-experts easily and precisely, even non-experts, such as pulse wave, and measurement using the same In addition to analyzing and displaying the pulse wave signals in real time, the present invention provides a pulse wave measurement system that can utilize the analyzed results for telemedicine.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.

(1) a pulse wave measuring sensor for converting a pulse wave signal transmitted from a living body into an electrical signal for transmission to an external device, the pipe-shaped outer housing; A pulse wave receiving unit inserted into and fixed to an upper end of the outer housing to be in contact with the living body; A piezoelectric transducer composed of a piezoelectric single crystal material having a metal electrode film on both sides thereof, and an elastic vibrator attached to one surface of the piezoelectric single crystal material, and converting a pulse wave signal transmitted in close contact with the bottom surface of the pulse wave receiving unit to an electrical signal; A support for firmly supporting a lower portion of the piezoelectric transducer; Piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement comprising a wire connected to the piezoelectric transducer for the transmission of an electrical signal.

And (2) a PCB substrate for processing the electrical signal transmitted from the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the circuit board for amplifying the electrical signal, removing noise, converting to a digital signal, and transmitting is integrally formed. The piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement according to the above (1), characterized in that provided.

(3) The piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement according to the above (2), further comprising a spacer positioned between the piezoelectric transducer and the PCB substrate to space them apart.

(4) The piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement according to the above (1), further comprising a bone intangible receptor for accommodating the pulse wave piezoelectric sensor and inserting the same in the fingertip of the examiner.

(5) The piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement according to the above (1), further comprising a ring-shaped receptor which receives the piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement and is inserted into a finger or a wrist of a subject.

(6) The piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement according to (4) or (5), wherein the outer housing is surrounded by a rigid support and mounted to the container.

(7) The piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement according to the above (1), further comprising a cuff of a blood pressure monitor accommodating the piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement.

(8) The piezoelectric single crystal material is PMN-PT (lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate material), PZN-PT (lead zinc niobate-lead titanate material), PZT (lead zirconium titanate type) Material), PYN-PT (lead iterium niobate-lead titanate-based material), and PIN-PT (lead indium niaobate-lead titanate-based material), The piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement according to the above (1), which is a ferroelectric single crystal ceramic material having any one of these compositions.

[Formula 1]

s [L] -x [P] y [M] z [N] p [T]

[P] is lead oxide (PbO, PbO ₂ , Pb ₃ O ₄ ),

[M] is magnesium oxide (MgO) or zinc oxide (ZnO),

[N] is niobium oxide (Nb ₂ O ₅ ),

[T] is titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ),

[L] is lithium tantalate (LiTaO ₃ ), lithium niobate (LiNbO ₃ ), lithium (Li), lithium oxide (Li ₂ O), or lithium carbonate (Li ₂ CO ₃ ), or platinum (Pt), gold (Au), silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), indium (In), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), strontium (Sr), scandium (Sc), ruthenium (Ru), copper (Cu), yttrium (Y), and iterium (Yb) is one metal selected from the group consisting of or oxides thereof,

x is greater than or equal to 0.55 and less than or equal to 0.65,

y is greater than or equal to 0.09 and less than or equal to 0.20,

z is greater than or equal to 0.09 and less than or equal to 0.20,

p is greater than or equal to 0.01 and less than or equal to 0.1,

s is greater than or equal to 0.01 and less than or equal to 0.1.

[Formula 2]

[1-x] Pb (Zn _1/3 , Nb _2/3 )-[x] PbTiO ₃ ,

[1-y] Pb (Mg _1/3 , Nb _2/3 )-[y] PbTiO ₃

[1-z] PbZrO _3- [z] PbTiO ₃ ,

[1-l] Pb (Yb _1/2 , Nb _1/2 ) O ₃ -lPbTiO ₃

[1-m] Pb (In _1/2 , Nb _1/2 ) O ₃ -mPbTiO ₃

x is 0 or greater than 0.01 or less than 0.2,

y is greater than 0.1 or less than 0.4,

Z is greater than 0.4 and less than 0.6,

l is greater than 0.2 and less than 0.8,

m is greater than 0.2 and less than 0.8.

[Formula 3]

(1-xy) Pb (Mg 1/3, Nb 2/3) O 3 -xPbZrO 3 -yPbTiO 3

In the above formula

 0≤x≤0.12, 0.28≤y≤0.38

[Formula 4]

(1-xy) Pb (Mg 1/3, Nb 2/3) O 3 -xPb (In 1/3 Nb 2/3) O 3 -yPbTiO 3

In the above formula

 0≤x≤0.63, 0.28≤y≤0.37

[Formula 5]

(1-xy) Pb (Mg 1/3, Nb 2/3) O 3 -xPb (Yb 1/3 Nb 2/3) O 3 -yPbTiO 3

In the above formula

 0≤x≤0.63, 0.28≤y≤0.37

[Formula 6]

(1-xy) Pb (In 1/3, Nb 2/3) O 3 -xPb (Yb 1/3 Nb 2/3) O 3 -yPbTiO 3

0≤x≤0.52, 0.30≤y≤0.48

(9) a pulse wave measuring system comprising a sensor device for measuring a pulse wave signal generated from a living body, an information processing device for analyzing an electrical pulse wave signal transmitted from the sensor device, and a display device for displaying the analyzed pulse wave signal. The sensor device may further include a piezoelectric transducer for converting a pulse wave signal into an electrical signal, an amplifier for amplifying the converted electrical signal, a noise filter for removing out-of-signal noise, and a digital signal for removing the noise. An A / D converter for converting into a signal and a wired / wireless transmission port for transmitting a signal to the outside; The information processing apparatus includes a wired / wireless receiving port for receiving an electrical pulse wave signal transmitted from the sensor device, an amplifier for amplifying the received signal, a pulse wave signal storage unit for storing the measured pulse wave signal, and a pulse wave signal. A standard database storage unit for storing a standard database relating to a waveform, a waveform analyzer for comparing and analyzing the measured pulse wave signals, and an output signal processor for determining an output type of a signal transmitted from the waveform analyzer. Pulse wave measurement system, characterized in that configured to.

(10) The pulse wave measuring system according to (9), wherein the sensor device is constituted by the piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measuring according to claim 2 or 3.

(11) The pulse wave measuring system according to (9), further comprising a sound output device connected to a wired or wireless transmission port of the sensor device.

(12) The pulse wave measuring system according to (9), wherein the sensor device and the information processing device communicate by wire or wirelessly.

(13) The pulse wave measuring system according to (9), wherein the information processing apparatus further comprises a wired and wireless transmission port connected to the output signal processor for sending the analyzed pulse wave signal to an external information communication terminal.

(14) The pulse wave measuring system according to (9), wherein the information communication terminal is any one of a computer, a mobile phone, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

(15) The pulse wave measuring system according to the above (9), wherein the standard database is standardized for each organ, disease, age, sex, and weight of the living body.

(16) The pulse wave measuring system according to (9), wherein the waveform analyzer performs separation, combination, and selective amplification of waveforms in comparing and analyzing the measured pulse wave signal with a standard database.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the parts performing the same or similar functions.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a piezoelectric sensor for measuring pulse waves according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional structure diagram of the piezoelectric sensor for measuring pulse waves of FIG. 1. The piezoelectric sensor 100 for measuring a pulse wave according to an embodiment includes an outer housing 110 for accommodating each component, a pulse wave receiver 120 mounted on an upper end of the housing, and a pulse wave receiver positioned below the electrical wave to electrically transmit a pulse wave signal. Piezoelectric transducer 130 for converting into a signal, and a support 140 for holding the outer peripheral lower portion of the piezoelectric transducer. Both sides of the piezoelectric transducer 130 are connected with wires 150 for transmitting the converted electrical signals.

In particular, the structure of the piezoelectric sensor 100 for pulse wave measurement includes the piezoelectric transducer 130 using the pulse wave receiver 120 for transmitting a minute biosignal such as pulse wave to the piezoelectric transducer 130 as an adhesive material having a good modulus of elasticity. The piezoelectric transducer 130 is firmly fixed by the supporter 140 so that it can be easily deformed and restored elastically with high sensitivity to minute changes in the biological signal. It is characterized by being configured.

The housing 110 is formed in a generally pipe shape having an upper and lower openings, and a flange 112 bent in a center direction so that the piezoelectric transducer 130 is tightly supported upward from the inside of the housing 110 at an upper end thereof. ) Is provided.

On the upper end of the housing 110, in order to transfer the minute bio-pressure to the piezoelectric transducer 130, the two-component adhesive material is coagulated and adhered to the housing 110 and the piezoelectric transducer 130 simultaneously to form a pulse wave receiving unit 120 composed of an elastic solid body ) Is located. The upper surface of the pulse wave receiver 120 directly contacts a living body (not shown) during pulse wave measurement, and protrudes convexly above the flange 112 surface of the housing 110 to facilitate reception of the pulse wave.

Inside the housing 110, there is provided a piezoelectric transducer 130 for converting a pulse wave pressure signal of a continuous waveform generated by a change in blood flow in a living blood vessel into an electrical signal. The piezoelectric transducer 130 includes a piezoelectric single crystal ceramic 132 for converting mechanical stress and an electrical signal to each other, and an elastic vibrator 134 to which the piezoelectric single crystal ceramic 132 is attached to one surface and in close contact with the pulse wave receiving unit 120. It is composed of Metal electrode films 136 are attached to upper and lower surfaces of the piezoelectric single crystal ceramics 132, and wires 150 for transmitting electrical signals are connected to the metal electrode films. In the mounted state, the elastic vibrating body 134 of the piezoelectric transducer 130 is in close contact with the bottom surface of the pulse wave receiver 120 and the flange 112.

Preferably, the piezoelectric single crystal material is composed of the ferroelectric single crystal material disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2003-47458 filed previously by the present applicant, so that the piezoelectric transducer 130 has high sensitivity and is collected. The frequency range of the possible pulse wave signal is characterized by being extended to 0.1 ~ 100kHz.

Such ferroelectric single crystal materials include PMN-PT (lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate-based material), PZN-PT (lead zinc niobate-lead titanate-based material), PZT (lead zirconium titanate-based material), One ferroelectric single crystal ceramic composed of PYN-PT (lead etherium niobate-lead titanate-based material) and PIN-PT (lead indium niobate-lead titanate-based material) Any one of the composition is satisfied.

[Formula 1]

s [L] -x [P] y [M] z [N] p [T]

[P] is lead oxide (PbO, PbO ₂ , Pb ₃ O ₄ ),

[M] is magnesium oxide (MgO) or zinc oxide (ZnO),

[N] is niobium oxide (Nb ₂ O ₅ ),

[T] is titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ),

[L] is lithium tantalate (LiTaO ₃ ), lithium niobate (LiNbO ₃ ), lithium (Li), lithium oxide (Li ₂ O), or lithium carbonate (Li ₂ CO ₃ ), or platinum (Pt), gold (Au), silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), indium (In), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), strontium (Sr), scandium (Sc), ruthenium (Ru), copper (Cu), yttrium (Y), and iterium (Yb) is one metal selected from the group consisting of or oxides thereof,

x is greater than or equal to 0.55 and less than or equal to 0.65,

y is greater than or equal to 0.09 and less than or equal to 0.20,

z is greater than or equal to 0.09 and less than or equal to 0.20,

p is greater than or equal to 0.01 and less than or equal to 0.1,

s is greater than or equal to 0.01 and less than or equal to 0.1.

[Formula 2]

[1-x] Pb (Zn _1/3 , Nb _2/3 )-[x] PbTiO ₃ ,

[1-y] Pb (Mg _1/3 , Nb _2/3 )-[y] PbTiO ₃

[1-z] PbZrO _3- [z] PbTiO ₃ ,

[1-l] Pb (Yb _1/2 , Nb _1/2 ) O ₃ -lPbTiO ₃

[1-m] Pb (In _1/2 , Nb _1/2 ) O ₃ -mPbTiO ₃

x is 0 or greater than 0.01 or less than 0.2,

y is greater than 0.1 or less than 0.4,

Z is greater than 0.4 and less than 0.6,

l is greater than 0.2 and less than 0.8,

m is greater than 0.2 and less than 0.8.

[Formula 3]

(1-xy) Pb (Mg _1/3 , Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -xPbZrO ₃ -yPbTiO ₃

In the above formula

 0≤x≤0.12, 0.28≤y≤0.38

[Formula 4]

(1-xy) Pb (Mg _1/3 , Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -xPb (In _1/3 Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -yPbTiO ₃

In the above formula

 0≤x≤0.63, 0.28≤y≤0.37

[Formula 5]

(1-xy) Pb (Mg _1/3 , Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -xPb (Yb _1/3 Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -yPbTiO ₃

In the above formula

 0≤x≤0.63, 0.28≤y≤0.37

[Formula 6]

(1-xy) Pb (In _1/3 , Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -xPb (Yb _1/3 Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -yPbTiO ₃

0≤x≤0.52, 0.30≤y≤0.48

The ferroelectric single crystal material disclosed in the patent application has a high piezoelectric voltage coefficient with respect to piezoelectricity, and thus can generate a high output voltage when an external pressure such as a pulse wave signal is applied, and has a high electromechanical coupling coefficient. It is possible to reduce the signal distortion due to, and also has the advantage of easy microfabrication as a single crystal structure in which atoms and molecules are arranged most densely in a given space. In addition, the matter disclosed by the above-mentioned Patent Application No. 2003-47458 is incorporated in this specification and forms part of the present invention.

The elastic vibrator 134 is preferably configured to be larger than the piezoelectric single crystal 132 because it prevents the upper electrode of the piezoelectric transducer 130 from contacting the support 140 and also the elastic vibrator 134. And an electrical conversion signal of each of the piezoelectric single crystals 132 should be output. If the sizes of the elastic vibrator 134 and the piezoelectric single crystals 132 are the same, the signals output from the piezoelectric single crystals 132 are internal to the housing 110. This is because the wiring process is possible, but the wiring process of the signal output between the elastic vibrator 134 and the piezoelectric single crystal 132 is impossible. In addition, when the size of the piezoelectric single crystal 132 is smaller than the elastic vibrator 134, the vibration of the pulse wave received by the thin elastic vibrator 143 is amplified and transmitted to the piezoelectric single crystal 132. There is also an advantage that the sensitivity of the pulse wave sensor can be improved.

On the other hand, the shape of the piezoelectric single crystal 132 is not particularly limited, but if it is a square other than the usual disc shape, the deformation of the medium due to the pressure of the pulse is transmitted to the piezoelectric single crystal 132 to generate a differential voltage. Therefore, the sensitivity is improved because the longitudinal rectangle is easier to bend even at a smaller pressure than the circular type.

The elastic vibrator 134 and the piezoelectric single crystal 132 of the piezoelectric transducer 130 are respectively attached to the support 140 positioned below it, and the outer circumference of the support 140 does not interfere with other components. good. In the mounted state, the elastic vibrator 134 and the piezoelectric single crystal material 132 protruding downwardly with a small diameter from the lower surface thereof are stably fixed to maximize the elastic restoring force of the piezoelectric transducer 130 so as to react sensitively to minute sensitivity. A step 142 is formed inward of the support 140.

1 and 2, a printed circuit board (PCB) 160 for processing the converted electrical pulse wave signal is additionally provided below the piezoelectric transducer 130. The wires 150 connected to the two metal electrode layers 136 of the piezoelectric transducer 130 are connected to the connection terminals 162a and 162b of the PCB 160 to transmit electrical signals. At least one hole 164 is formed in a predetermined portion of the PCB 160 to pass the wire.

The PCB 160 preferably includes an amplification circuit for amplifying an electrical signal, a filter circuit for removing out-of-signal noise, an A / D conversion circuit for converting a continuous analog signal into an analysis digital signal, and Wired / wireless transmission port to external equipment is integrated.

The PCB 160 is preferably spaced apart from the piezoelectric transducer 130 by a predetermined distance for the purpose of preventing deformation due to pressure change and interference between the electronic devices. To this end, an outer diameter substantially coincides with an inner diameter of the housing 110, and an open bowl-shaped spacer 170 is positioned between the piezoelectric transducer 130 and the PCB 160. The bottom surface of the spacer 170 is provided with a through hole 172 for penetrating the wire 150 toward the connection terminals 162a and 162b of the PCB 160. The outer surface of the spacer 170 is fixed to the inner surface of the housing 110 using an adhesive of high hardness, is strongly bonded to the edge of the elastic vibrator 134 of the piezoelectric transducer 130, the PCB 160 is It is attached to and supported by the bottom of the spacer 170 and the housing 110. In order to secure the reliability of the fixed support for the PCB 160, the spacer 170 is preferably a bowl shape having a bottom portion, but even if configured in a simple ring shape does not achieve the object of the present invention. In this case, the PCB 160 is attached to the periphery of the ring spacer.

Referring to the operation of the pulse wave measurement piezoelectric sensor 100 according to Figures 1 and 2, if the pulse wave causes a slight pressure change in the pulse wave receiving unit 120, such a pressure change in the curved shape of the pulse wave receiving unit 120. Due to this, the piezoelectric transducer 130 reaches the piezoelectric transducer 130 with a minimum loss, and thus the piezoelectric single crystal 132 generates an electrical polarization and is converted into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is amplified and filtered on the PCB 160 substrate and then externally. Is sent.

3 shows an example in which the piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement of FIG. 1 is implemented as a thimble type. In the figure, the thimble type pulse wave measuring piezoelectric sensor is shown in cross-sectional view to show the end of the finger 700 accommodated inside. The piezoelectric sensor 100 for measuring pulse waves according to FIGS. 1 and 2 is accommodated by being attached to the bone-shaped receptor 180 made of a material such as rubber, cloth, or plastic. Furthermore, the receiver 180 further includes a hard support 182 having a predetermined rigidity for wrapping the piezoelectric sensor 182, thereby deforming the piezoelectric sensor 100 by contact pressure with a subject. Is prevented.

In the boneless piezoelectric sensor 100 according to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the pulse wave receiving unit 120 of the piezoelectric sensor 100 is worn on the end portion of the examiner's finger 700. By being in close contact with an artery, the pulse wave signal transmitted from the subject is detected.

Referring to FIG. 4, preferably, the signal measured by the piezoelectric sensor 100 is worn on the wrist of the examiner or the like so that the inspector can easily check the measured and / or analyzed pulse wave signal. Sent to device 400. In this case, of course, the display apparatus 400 may be integrally provided with an information processing apparatus (300 of FIG. 7) for analyzing the measured pulse wave signal. Accordingly, the examiner can make a more accurate diagnosis by synthesizing the results of the sixth sense and experience, and objectively comparing the measured results with a standardized database.

5 illustrates an example in which the piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement of FIG. 1 is implemented in a ring shape fitted to a finger. The piezoelectric sensor 100 for measuring pulse waves according to FIGS. 1 and 2 is attached to a ring-shaped container 180 'made of a rubber, cloth, or plastic material, and fitted to the subject's finger 700. As in the embodiment of Fig. 3, the ring-shaped receptor 180 'is further provided with a hard support 182' having a predetermined rigidity to surround the piezoelectric sensor 182, thereby providing a contact pressure with the examinee. This prevents the piezoelectric sensor 100 from being deformed.

In the case of a ring-type pulse wave measurement piezoelectric sensor, the size of the receptor 180 'may be changed according to the body part to be inserted. For example, if the pulse wave measurement site is a wrist, the size may be worn on the wrist. to be.

Further, in order to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the ring receptor 180 'with respect to the finger 700, a continuous serrated portion 184 is formed on the outer surface of one end of the ring receptor 180' while the ring receptor 180 'is formed. The inner side of the other end is provided with a protrusion 184 detachably coupled to the tooth-shaped portion 184.

Referring to FIG. 6, similar to the case of FIG. 4, the signal measured by the piezoelectric sensor 100 may be measured by the piezoelectric sensor 100 so that the examinee may easily check the measured and / or analyzed processed pulse wave signal. It is transmitted to and displayed on the visual display device 400 which is worn on the wrist. Accordingly, the examinee may check the measured result or the result of objectively comparing and analyzing the measured result with a standardized database.

3 to 6, the housings 182 and 182 ′ and the housing 110 of the piezoelectric pressure sensor are spaced into the receptors 180 and 180 ′ and the supports 182 and 182 ′ when they are fixed with silicone adhesive. It is fixed in the way that it fits in.

Next, a pulse wave measuring system using the piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement described above will be described.

7 is a block diagram of a pulse wave measuring system according to the present invention. The pulse wave measuring system includes a sensor device 200 for measuring a pulse wave signal generated from a living body 800, an information processing device 300 for analyzing an electrical pulse wave signal transmitted from the sensor device, and the analyzed pulse wave signal. And a display device 400 for displaying.

The sensor device 200 includes a piezoelectric transducer 210 for converting a pulse wave signal into an electrical signal, an amplifier 220 for amplifying the converted electrical signal, and a noise filter 230 for removing out-of-signal noise. And an analog / digital converter (A / D converter) 240 for converting the noise-free pulse wave signal into a digital signal, and a wired / wireless transmission port 250 for transmitting a signal to the outside.

The sensor device 200 may be configured as a pulse wave measuring sensor 100 according to FIG. 1, in which case the piezoelectric transducer 210 functions as the piezoelectric single crystal 132 and the elastic vibrator 134 of FIG. 1. It is implemented in the form of a piezoelectric transducer 130 including a. In addition, the configuration of the amplifier 220, the noise filter 230, the A / D converter 240 and the wired / wireless transmission port 250 may be integrally implemented on the PCB 160 of FIG.

The operation of the sensor device 200 will be described. The pulse wave signal transmitted from the living body 800 is detected by the piezoelectric transducer 210 and converted into an electrical signal of an analog waveform. The pulse wave signal converted into an electrical signal is amplified by the amplifier 220 and then passed through the noise filter 230 to remove noise other than the pulse wave signal. Subsequently, the analog signal is converted into a digital signal for analysis by the analog-to-digital converter 240 and transmitted to an external device through the wired / wireless transmission port 250.

The information processing apparatus 300 includes a wired / wireless receiving port 310 for receiving an electric pulse wave signal transmitted from the transmission port 250 of the sensor device 200, an amplifier 320 for amplifying the received signal, and The pulse wave signal storage unit 330 for storing the measured pulse wave signal, the standard database storage unit 340 for storing the standard database for the pulse wave signal, and the standard database and the measured pulse wave signal for analysis Waveform analyzer 350, an output signal processor 360 for determining the output type of the analyzed pulse wave signal.

An operation of the information processing apparatus 300 will be described. The pulse wave signal received from the sensor device 200 is amplified by the amplifier 320 and stored in the pulse wave signal storage unit 330 by the data recorder. The measured pulse wave signal stored in the storage unit 330 is compared with the standard database 340 of the pulse wave signal by the waveform analyzer 350 and then transferred to the output signal processor 360.

Since the pulse wave signal stored in the pulse wave signal storage unit 330 can be output again after a period of time as a measurement record, the time constraint of the measurement can be removed. On the other hand, the standard database 440 for the pulse wave signal is standardized for each organ, disease, age, sex and weight of the living body can be selected according to the purpose of diagnosis when analyzing the pulse wave signal.

Figure 8 shows the analysis of the pulse wave signal performed by the pulse wave measurement system according to the present invention. In this case, the waveform analyzer 350 performs separation, combination, and selective amplification of the waveforms in the comparative analysis of the collected pulse wave signal and the standard database. That is, the waveform analyzer 350 according to the present invention may combine the collected pulse wave signals into specific standard waveforms, and thus the user may make more objective and accurate judgment on the collected biological signals by comparing both data. Will be.

In addition, since the analysis result in the waveform analyzer 350 is stored in the standard database 340 and is itself used as the individual standard database of the measurer, as the number of diagnosis increases, the doctor measures the value of the pulse wave signal more accurately and objectively. Can be obtained.

The pulse wave signal passing through the waveform analyzer 350 is visually displayed on the display device 400 after the output type is determined by the output signal processor 360. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the pulse wave signal analyzed by the information processing apparatus 300 according to the present invention is visualized as a waveform and displayed on the monitor 480. The pulse wave signal collected from the living body 800 and the corresponding acoustic pattern or pressure change of the standard database 340 and the pulse wave pattern are presented on the display apparatus 400. As described above, the standard database 400 is standardized for each organ, disease, age, sex, and weight of the living body, by selecting each according to the purpose of diagnosis, comparing the pulse wave signals collected from the living body 800 to the human body. Check for abnormalities.

Optionally, the measured pulse wave signal data may be output directly from the sensor device 200 to a sound output device 500 such as a speaker by wire or wireless communication in order to visually confirm the pulse wave signal at the time of diagnosis. have. Accordingly, the examiner can make a more accurate diagnosis, and since the examinee can directly check the waveform signal and the acoustic signal visualized by the biosignal with the examiner, the trust between the examiner and the examinee is improved.

In addition, instead of outputting to the display apparatus 400 which is generally provided at the same time in the diagnosis place, the information processing apparatus 300, the user of the pulse wave measuring system output signal processor of the information processing apparatus 300, if desired Only desired waveforms may be selected at 360 and may be transmitted to the external information communication terminal 600 through the wired / wireless transmission port 370. The external information communication terminal 600 may be, for example, a computer, a mobile phone, or a portable information terminal (PDA) capable of communicating with the transmission port 370 by wire or wirelessly. Accordingly, the local limitations that have been a problem in the related art regarding the measurement and diagnosis of pulse waves can be solved.

Although described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention, this description is not intended to have a limiting meaning to the scope of the present invention, various modifications to it in a range that does not impair the nature of the present invention It is apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations are possible.

For example, the pulse wave measuring system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 7 may be implemented in various forms. That is, referring to FIG. 10 showing an embodiment of the pulse wave measuring system according to the present invention, the reference numerals 300 and 600 in the drawings indicate an external information communication such as a computer, a mobile phone, or a portable information terminal in FIG. 7. In this case, the terminal 600 is provided with a function performed by the information processing apparatus 300 of FIG. 7. In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the sensor device 200, the information processing device 300, the display device 400, or the sound output device 500 of FIG. 7 may be integrally provided with a mobile phone or a PDA.

In addition, since the piezoelectric sensor for measuring pulse waves according to the present invention has high sensitivity and can be manufactured simply and compactly, the pulse wave measuring piezoelectric sensor according to the present invention further includes the bone-shaped receptor 180 of FIG. 3 or the ring-shaped receptor 180 'of FIG. 4. In addition to being implemented in the form, it is also possible to be implemented using a cuff of a conventional blood pressure monitor as a receptor. In particular, when applied to such a conventional blood pressure monitor, as shown in FIG. 11, an amplifier, an A / D converter, a storage unit, and a central processing unit of the conventional blood pressure monitor are used. By setting related data in advance and comparing the waveform measured with high sensitivity by the pulse wave sensor using the central processing unit, it is possible to simultaneously output the blood pressure as well as the age and stress of the blood vessel of the subject through the display.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention as grasped from the matters described in the claims should be construed to include such modifications and changes.

The piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement according to the present invention as described above can enable a non-expert to easily and precisely measure a biological signal having a waveform like a pulse wave.

In addition, the piezoelectric sensor for measuring pulse wave can be manufactured in a compact and simple structure, a ring-shaped receptor suitable for monitoring a patient from the outside, a bone-shaped receptor that can simultaneously check the test and the test results, or cuff of a conventional blood pressure monitor There is an advantage that can be applied without restrictions.

In addition, the pulse wave measurement system according to the present invention can solve the problem of time and place constraints related to medical treatment by not only analyzing and displaying the measured pulse wave signal in real time, but also using the analyzed result in telemedicine.

Claims (17)

A pulse wave measuring sensor for converting a pulse wave signal transmitted from a living body into an electrical signal and transmitting it to an external device, A pipe-shaped outer housing; A pulse wave receiving unit inserted into and fixed to an upper end of the outer housing to be in contact with the living body; A piezoelectric transducer composed of a piezoelectric single crystal material having a metal electrode film on both sides thereof, and an elastic vibrator attached to one surface of the piezoelectric single crystal material, and converting a pulse wave signal transmitted in close contact with the bottom surface of the pulse wave receiving unit to an electrical signal; A support for firmly supporting a lower portion of the piezoelectric transducer; Piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement comprising a wire connected to the piezoelectric transducer for the transmission of an electrical signal. The method of claim 1, It further comprises a PCB substrate for processing the electrical signal transmitted from the piezoelectric transducer, the PCB substrate is provided with a circuit for the amplification of the electrical signal, the removal of noise, the conversion and transmission to a digital signal integrally A piezoelectric sensor for measuring pulse waves. The method of claim 2, A piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement, further comprising a spacer positioned between the piezoelectric transducer and the PCB substrate to space them apart. The method of claim 1, The piezoelectric sensor for measuring the pulse wave further comprises a bone-shaped receptor for receiving the pulse wave measuring piezoelectric sensor and inserted into the finger end of the examiner. The method of claim 1, The piezoelectric sensor for measuring the pulse wave further comprises a ring-shaped receptor that is inserted into the subject's finger or wrist by receiving the pulsed piezoelectric sensor. The method according to claim 4 or 5, The outer housing is a piezoelectric sensor for measuring pulse waves, characterized in that it is surrounded by a rigid support mounted on the receptor. The method of claim 1, A piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement, further comprising a cuff of a blood pressure monitor accommodating the piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement. The method of claim 1, The piezoelectric single crystal material may include PMN-PT (lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate-based material), PZN-PT (lead zinc niobate-lead titanate-based material), PZT (lead zirconium titanate-based material), PYN-PT (lead iterium niobate-lead titanate-based material) and PIN-PT (lead indium niaobate-lead titanate-based material), any one of the following formulas A piezoelectric sensor for pulse wave measurement, characterized in that it is a ferroelectric single crystal ceramic material composed of one composition. [Formula 1] s [L] -x [P] y [M] z [N] p [T] [P] is lead oxide (PbO, PbO ₂ , Pb ₃ O ₄ ), [M] is magnesium oxide (MgO) or zinc oxide (ZnO), [N] is niobium oxide (Nb ₂ O ₅ ), [T] is titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ), [L] is lithium tantalate (LiTaO ₃ ), lithium niobate (LiNbO ₃ ), lithium (Li), lithium oxide (Li ₂ O), or lithium carbonate (Li ₂ CO ₃ ), or platinum (Pt), gold (Au), silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), indium (In), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), strontium (Sr), scandium (Sc), ruthenium (Ru), copper (Cu), yttrium (Y), and iterium (Yb) is one metal selected from the group consisting of or oxides thereof, x is greater than or equal to 0.55 and less than or equal to 0.65, y is greater than or equal to 0.09 and less than or equal to 0.20, z is greater than or equal to 0.09 and less than or equal to 0.20, p is greater than or equal to 0.01 and less than or equal to 0.1, s is greater than or equal to 0.01 and less than or equal to 0.1. [Formula 2] [1-x] Pb (Zn _1/3 , Nb _2/3 )-[x] PbTiO ₃ , [1-y] Pb (Mg _1/3 , Nb _2/3 )-[y] PbTiO ₃ [1-z] PbZrO _3- [z] PbTiO ₃ , [1-l] Pb (Yb _1/2 , Nb _1/2 ) O ₃ -lPbTiO ₃ [1-m] Pb (In _1/2 , Nb _1/2 ) O ₃ -mPbTiO ₃ x is 0 or greater than 0.01 or less than 0.2, y is greater than 0.1 or less than 0.4, Z is greater than 0.4 and less than 0.6, l is greater than 0.2 and less than 0.8, m is greater than 0.2 and less than 0.8. [Formula 3] (1-xy) Pb (Mg _1/3 , Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -xPbZrO ₃ -yPbTiO ₃ In the above formula  0≤x≤0.12, 0.28≤y≤0.38 [Formula 4] (1-xy) Pb (Mg _1/3 , Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -xPb (In _1/3 Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -yPbTiO ₃ In the above formula  0≤x≤0.63, 0.28≤y≤0.37 [Formula 5] (1-xy) Pb (Mg _1/3 , Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -xPb (Yb _1/3 Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -yPbTiO ₃ In the above formula  0≤x≤0.63, 0.28≤y≤0.37 [Formula 6] (1-xy) Pb (In _1/3 , Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -xPb (Yb _1/3 Nb _2/3 ) O ₃ -yPbTiO ₃ 0≤x≤0.52, 0.30≤y≤0.48 In the pulse wave measurement system comprising a sensor device for measuring the pulse wave signal generated from the living body, an information processing device for analyzing the electrical pulse wave signal transmitted from the sensor device and a display device for displaying the analyzed pulse wave signal, The sensor device includes a piezoelectric sensor for measuring pulse waves according to any one of claims 1, 4, 5, 7 or 8, an amplifier for amplifying the converted electrical signal, and a signal for removing extra signal noise. A noise filter, an A / D converter for converting the noise-free pulse wave signal into a digital signal, and a wired / wireless transmission port for transmitting a signal to the outside; The information processing apparatus includes a wired / wireless receiving port for receiving an electrical pulse wave signal transmitted from the sensor device, an amplifier for amplifying the received signal, a pulse wave signal storage unit for storing the measured pulse wave signal, and a pulse wave signal. A standard database storage unit for storing a standard database relating to a waveform, a waveform analyzer for comparing and analyzing the measured pulse wave signals, and an output signal processor for determining an output type of a signal transmitted from the waveform analyzer. Pulse wave measurement system, characterized in that configured to. The method of claim 9, The pulse wave piezoelectric sensor further includes a PCB substrate for processing the electrical signal transmitted from the piezoelectric transducer, The PCB substrate is a pulse wave measurement system, characterized in that the amplifier, a noise filter, an A / D converter and a wired or wireless transmission port is integrally provided. The method of claim 9, And a sound output device connected to the wired / wireless transmission port of the sensor device. The method of claim 9, The sensor device and the information processing device is a pulse wave measuring system, characterized in that the communication by wire or wireless. The method of claim 9, The information processing apparatus further comprises a wired / wireless transmission port connected to the output signal processor for transmitting the analyzed pulse wave signal to an external information communication terminal. The method of claim 9, The information communication terminal is a pulse wave measuring system, characterized in that any one of a computer, a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA). The method of claim 9, The standard database is pulse wave measurement system, characterized in that standardized by the organ, disease, age, sex, weight of the living body. The method of claim 9, The waveform analyzer is a pulse wave measurement system characterized in that the separation, combination and selective amplification of the waveform in comparing and analyzing the measured pulse wave signal with the standard database. The method of claim 10, The pulse wave measuring piezoelectric sensor further comprises a spacer for spaced apart between the piezoelectric transducer and the PCB substrate.

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