TWI686171B - Physiological signal sensor and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A physiological signal sensor is provided, which includes an electrode layer, a pressure sensing layer and a controller. The electrode layer is disposed on the skin of a patient to sense a physiological signal therefrom. The pressure sensing layer senses the pressure signal of the electrode layer. The controller is connected to the electrode layer and the pressure sensing layer; the controller outputs the physiological signal and outputs a measurement prompt signal according to the pressure signal.

Description

Physiological signal sensor and physiological signal sensing method

The invention relates to a physiological signal sensor, in particular to a physiological signal sensor capable of judging whether a physiological signal is interfered by noise. The invention also relates to a physiological signal sensing method of the physiological signal sensor.

Generally speaking, in order to measure the physiological signal of a subject, a strap is usually used to fix the dry electrode on the skin of the subject to sense the physiological signal of the subject, and then display it through the measuring instrument This physiological signal. However, the dry electrode is easily affected by environmental factors; for example, if the subject does not properly wear the dry electrode, the dry electrode may not fully adhere to the skin of the subject; at this time, the physiological signal measured by the dry electrode It may be interfered by noise; for example, if the subject does not wear the dry electrode properly, improper external force is applied to the dry electrode; at this time, the physiological signal measured by the dry electrode may also be interfered by noise. Therefore, the existing physiological signal technology cannot effectively determine whether the physiological signal is interfered by noise.

In addition, because existing dry electrodes are susceptible to noise interference, measurement instruments may require complex algorithms to filter out noise; therefore, the existing physiological signal technology is extremely inconvenient to use and lacks efficiency.

In addition, in order to improve the softness of the dry electrode, the impedance of the dry electrode is usually greater than 100Ω, so that the dry electrode can be attached to the skin of the subject, so that the subject can wear the dry electrode comfortably, and reduce the contact impedance; however The high impedance of the dry electrode easily affects the accuracy of physiological signals.

In addition, some dry electrodes are made of materials with higher hardness, which can reduce the impedance of the dry electrodes to improve the accuracy of physiological signals; however, because the above dry electrodes are made of materials with higher hardness, it may be It will result in higher contact impedance and the subject cannot wear the dry electrode comfortably.

Therefore, how to propose a physiological signal measurement technology that can effectively improve various limitations of the physiological signal measurement system of the conventional art has become an urgent issue.

In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, one object of the present invention is to provide a physiological signal sensor and method thereof, thereby solving various limitations of the physiological signal measurement system of the conventional art.

According to one of the objectives of the present invention, a physiological signal sensor is proposed, which includes an electrode layer, a pressure sensing layer and a controller. The electrode layer is arranged on the skin to sense physiological signals. The pressure sensing layer senses the pressure signal of the electrode layer. The controller is connected to the electrode layer and the pressure sensing layer, and outputs a physiological signal and a measurement prompt signal according to the pressure signal.

According to one of the objects of the present invention, a physiological signal sensor is further proposed, which includes an electrode layer, a piezoelectric sensing layer and a controller. The electrode layer is arranged on the skin to sense physiological signals. The piezoelectric sensing layer senses the piezoelectric signal of the electrode layer. The controller is connected to the electrode layer and the piezo-inductance measuring layer, and outputs physiological signals and measurement prompt signals according to the piezoelectric signals.

According to one of the objectives of the present invention, a physiological signal sensing method is proposed, which includes the following steps: sensing skin through the electrode layer to generate physiological signals; using the pressure sensing layer to sense pressure signals of the electrode layer; using piezoelectric The sensing layer senses the piezoelectric signal of the electrode layer; and outputs the physiological signal through the controller, and outputs the measurement prompt signal according to the pressure signal and the piezoelectric signal.

The following will describe embodiments of physiological signal sensors and methods according to the present invention with reference to related drawings. For the sake of clarity and convenience of illustration, the components in the drawings may be exaggerated in size and scale or Presented in a reduced size. In the following description and/or patent application, when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present; and when the element is mentioned When "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements, and other words used to describe the relationship between the elements or layers should be interpreted in the same manner. For ease of understanding, the same elements in the following embodiments are described with the same symbols.

Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a structural diagram of a physiological signal sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the physiological signal sensor 1 includes an electrode layer 11, a first insulating layer 12, a pressure sensing layer 13 and a controller 14.

The electrode layer 11 is disposed on the skin S of the subject to sense the physiological signal PS; wherein, the electrode layer 11 can be made of a flexible, bendable and stretchable material. In one embodiment, the electrode layer 11 may be made of a silicon-silver-based material; in one embodiment, the physiological signal PS may be an electrodermal activity (EDA) signal or an electromyography (EMG) signal.

The pressure sensing layer 13 senses the pressure signal P of the electrode layer 11, and the pressure signal P can be used as an auxiliary signal for judging the quality of the physiological signal PS; in one embodiment, the pressure sensing layer 13 can be a piezoresistive material or a pressure Made of electrical materials.

The first insulating layer 12 is disposed between the electrode layer 11 and the pressure sensing layer 13 to isolate the electrode layer 11 and the pressure sensing layer 13; in one embodiment, the first insulating layer 12 may be made of plastic.

The controller 14 is connected to the electrode layer 11 and the pressure sensing layer 13 and outputs a physiological signal PS. In an embodiment, the controller 14 may be a microcontroller or other similar devices.

The controller 14 can judge the quality of the physiological signal PS according to the pressure signal P, and generate a measurement prompt signal according to the pressure signal P, and then output the physiological signal PS and the measurement prompt signal. When the pressure signal P falls within a preset range, the controller 14 determines that the electrode layer 11 is in contact with the skin S; then, the controller 14 outputs the physiological signal PS and the measurement correct signal MC. Conversely, when the pressure signal P does not fall within this preset range, the controller 14 determines that the electrode layer 11 is not in contact with the skin S; then, the controller 14 outputs a physiological signal PS and a measurement error signal ME. Different test items may have different test ranges; the tester may determine the above-mentioned preset range according to the test conditions of the test item; in one embodiment, the above-mentioned preset range may be between 0.098N and 4N; in another In one embodiment, the above-mentioned preset range may be between 4 Newton and 6 Newton; in another embodiment, the above-mentioned preset range may be between 6 Newton and 10 Newton.

Through the above mechanism, the controller 14 can effectively determine whether the electrode layer 11 of the physiological signal sensor 1 has fallen off and whether it has actually contacted the skin S, and generates a measurement error signal when the electrode layer 11 is not in contact with the skin S ME enables measurement personnel to know that the physiological signal PS has not been measured correctly, so it can effectively improve the accuracy of physiological signal measurement.

In addition, the electrode layer 11 can be made of a silicon-silver-based material, which is a flexible, bendable and stretchable material, and its impedance is less than 10Ω; therefore, the electrode layer 11 can effectively improve the accuracy of physiological signals. The physiological signal sensor 1 can also be worn comfortably.

Of course, the above is only an example, and the structure of the physiological signal sensor 1 and the coordination relationship between the components can be changed according to actual needs, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a flowchart of the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the physiological signal sensing method of the physiological signal sensor 1 of this embodiment includes the following steps:

Step S21: Sensing the skin through the electrode layer to generate physiological signals.

Step S22: Use the pressure sensing layer to sense the pressure signal of the electrode layer.

Step S23: When the pressure signal falls within the preset range, the controller judges that the electrode layer is in contact with the skin, and outputs a physiological signal and a correct measurement signal.

Step S24: When the pressure signal falls within the preset range, the controller determines that the electrode layer is not in contact with the skin, and outputs a physiological signal and a measurement error signal.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a structural diagram of a physiological signal sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the physiological signal sensor 2 includes an electrode layer 21, a second insulating layer 25, a piezoelectric sensing layer 26 and a controller 24.

The electrode layer 21 is disposed on the skin S of the subject to sense the physiological signal PS.

The piezoelectric sensing layer 26 senses the piezoelectric signal E of the electrode layer 21, and this piezoelectric signal E can be used as an auxiliary signal for judging the quality of the physiological signal PS; in one embodiment, the piezoelectric sensing layer 23 can be Resistance material or piezoelectric material.

The second insulating layer 25 is disposed between the electrode layer 21 and the piezoelectric sensing layer 26 to isolate the electrode layer 21 and the piezoelectric sensing layer 26; in one embodiment, the second insulating layer 25 may be made of plastic.

The controller 24 is connected to the electrode layer 21 and the piezoelectric sensing layer 26, and outputs a physiological signal PS.

The controller 24 can judge the quality of the physiological signal PS according to the piezoelectric signal E, and generate a measurement prompt signal according to the piezoelectric signal E, and then output the physiological signal PS and the measurement prompt signal. When the piezoelectric signal E shows that the piezoresistive sensing layer 26 is fixedly deformed, the controller 24 determines that the external force applied to the electrode layer 21 is stable; then, the controller 14 outputs the physiological signal PS and the measurement correct signal MC. Conversely, when the piezoelectric signal E shows that the piezoelectric sensing layer 26 is unsteady deformed, the controller 24 determines that the external force applied to the electrode layer 21 is unstable; then, the controller 14 outputs the physiological signal PS and the measurement error signal ME.

Through the above mechanism, the controller 14 can effectively determine whether the electrode layer 11 of the physiological signal sensor 1 is properly fixed on the skin S and whether it is disturbed by noise caused by improper external force, and The measurement error signal ME is generated when it is disturbed by noise, so that the measurement personnel can know that the physiological signal PS has not been measured correctly, so it can effectively improve the accuracy of the physiological signal measurement.

Of course, the above is only an example. The structure of the physiological signal sensor 2 and the synergy between the components can be changed according to actual needs, and the invention is not limited thereto.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a flowchart of a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the physiological signal sensing method of the physiological signal sensor 2 of this embodiment includes the following steps:

Step S41: Sensing the skin through the electrode layer to generate physiological signals.

Step S42: Use the piezoelectric sensing layer to sense the piezoelectric signal of the electrode layer.

Step S43: When the piezoelectric signal shows that the piezoelectric sensing layer is fixedly deformed, the controller judges that the external force applied to the electrode layer is stable, and outputs a physiological signal and measures the correct signal

Step S44: When the piezoelectric signal indicates that the piezoelectric sensing layer is unsteady deformed, the controller determines that the external force applied to the electrode layer is unstable, and outputs a physiological signal and a measurement error signal.

It is worth mentioning that the existing dry electrodes are easily affected by environmental factors, so the measured physiological signals may be interfered by noise; however, the existing dry electrodes lack an effective mechanism to determine whether the physiological signals are interfered by noise. In contrast, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the physiological signal sensor includes a pressure sensing layer, which can sense the pressure signal of the electrode layer, which can be used as an auxiliary signal to determine whether the electrode layer is in contact with the skin to make the physiological The signal sensor can effectively determine whether the physiological signal is measured correctly, so as to improve the accuracy of the physiological signal measurement.

Moreover, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the physiological signal sensor includes a piezoelectric sensing layer, which can sense the piezoelectric signal of the electrode layer, which can be used as an auxiliary signal to determine whether the external force applied to the electrode layer is stable, so that The physiological signal sensor can effectively determine whether the physiological signal is measured correctly, so as to improve the accuracy of the physiological signal measurement.

In addition, because existing dry electrodes are susceptible to noise interference, measurement instruments may require complex algorithms to filter out noise; therefore, the existing physiological signal technology is extremely inconvenient to use and lacks efficiency. On the contrary, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the physiological signal sensor can provide an auxiliary signal for judging whether the physiological signal is correctly measured, so it is not only more convenient to use but also can achieve higher efficiency.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrodes of the physiological signal sensor are made of flexible and stretchable silicon-silver based materials, which not only can reduce the impedance of the sensing electrodes, but also increase the flexibility of the electrodes, so The tester can comfortably be equipped with physiological signal sensors. It can be seen from the above that the physiological signal sensor of the embodiment of the present invention can indeed achieve unexpected technical effects.

Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a structural diagram of a physiological signal sensor according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the physiological signal sensor 3 includes an electrode layer 31, a first insulating layer 32, a pressure sensing layer 33, a second insulating layer 35, a piezoelectric sensing layer 36 and a controller 34.

The electrode layer 31 is disposed on the skin S of the subject to sense the physiological signal PS.

The pressure sensing layer 33 senses the pressure signal P of the electrode layer 31.

The piezoelectric sensing layer 36 senses the piezoelectric signal E of the electrode layer 31.

The first insulating layer 32 is disposed between the electrode layer 31 and the pressure sensing layer 33 to isolate the electrode layer 31 and the pressure sensing layer 33.

The second insulating layer 35 is disposed between the pressure sensing layer 33 and the piezoelectric sensing layer 36 to isolate the pressure sensing layer 33 and the piezoelectric sensing layer 36.

The controller 34 is connected to the electrode layer 31, the pressure sensing layer 33, and the piezoelectric sensing layer 36, and outputs a physiological signal PS.

Different from the previous embodiment, the physiological signal sensor 3 of this embodiment includes both the pressure sensing layer 33 and the piezoelectric inductive sensing layer 36; therefore, the controller 34 can judge the physiology according to the pressure signal P and the piezoelectric signal E The quality of the signal PS, and generate a measurement prompt signal according to the pressure signal P and the piezoelectric signal E, and then output the physiological signal PS and the measurement prompt signal.

When the pressure signal P falls within the preset range and the piezoelectric signal E shows that the piezoelectric sensing layer 36 is in a fixed deformation, the controller 34 determines that the electrode layer 31 is in contact with the skin S and the external force applied by the electrode layer 31 is stable, and Output physiological signal PS and measure correct signal MC.

When the pressure signal P falls within the preset range and the piezoelectric signal E shows that the piezoelectric sensing layer 36 is an unfixed deformation, the controller 34 determines that the electrode layer 31 is in contact with the skin S but the applied force outside the electrode layer 31 is unstable, And output physiological signal PS and measurement error signal ME.

When the pressure signal P does not fall within the preset range and the piezoelectric signal E shows that the piezoelectric sensing layer 36 is in a fixed deformation, the controller 34 determines that the electrode layer 31 is not in contact with the skin S but the external force applied by the electrode layer 31 is stable, And output physiological signal PS and measurement error signal ME.

When the pressure signal P does not fall within the preset range and the piezoelectric signal E shows that the piezoelectric sensing layer 36 is unsteady deformed, the controller 34 determines that the electrode layer 31 is not in contact with the skin S and the applied force outside the electrode layer 31 is unstable , And output physiological signal PS and measurement error signal ME.

Through the above mechanism, the controller 14 can effectively determine whether the electrode layer 11 of the physiological signal sensor 1 is indeed in contact with the skin S and whether it is disturbed by noise caused by improper external force, and is not in contact with the electrode layer 11 The measurement error signal ME is generated when the skin S is interfered with noise, so that the measurement personnel can know that the physiological signal PS has not been correctly measured, so the accuracy of the physiological signal measurement can be effectively improved.

Of course, the above is only an example, and the structure of the physiological signal sensor 3 and the coordination relationship between the components can be changed according to actual needs, and the invention is not limited thereto.

Please refer to FIG. 6, which is a flowchart of a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the physiological signal sensing method of the physiological signal sensor 3 of this embodiment includes the following steps:

Step S61: Sensing the skin through the electrode layer to generate physiological signals, and go to step S62.

Step S62: Use the pressure sensing layer to sense the pressure signal of the electrode layer, and go to step S63.

Step S63: Sensing the piezoelectric signal of the electrode layer through the piezoelectric sensing layer, and proceed to step S64.

Step S64: The controller determines whether the pressure signal falls within the preset range? If yes, go to step S65; if not, go to step S651.

Step S65: The controller determines whether the piezoelectric sensing layer is fixedly deformed according to the piezoelectric signal? If yes, proceed to step S66; if not, proceed to step S651.

Step S651: The controller outputs physiological signals and measurement error signals.

Step S66: The controller outputs the physiological signal and measures the correct signal.

In summary, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the physiological signal sensor includes a pressure sensing layer, which can sense the pressure signal of the electrode layer, which can be used as an auxiliary signal to determine whether the electrode layer is in contact with the skin, The physiological signal sensor can effectively judge whether the physiological signal is measured correctly, so as to improve the accuracy of the physiological signal measurement.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the physiological signal sensor includes a piezoelectric sensing layer, which can sense the piezoelectric signal of the electrode layer, which can be used as an auxiliary signal to determine whether the external force applied to the electrode layer is stable, so that The physiological signal sensor can effectively determine whether the physiological signal is measured correctly, so as to improve the accuracy of the physiological signal measurement.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the physiological signal sensor can provide an auxiliary signal for judging whether the physiological signal is correctly measured, so it is not only more convenient to use and can achieve higher efficiency.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrodes of the physiological signal sensor are made of flexible and stretchable silicon-silver based materials, which can not only reduce the impedance of the sensing electrodes, but also increase the flexibility of the electrodes, so The subject can be comfortably equipped with a physiological signal sensor.

It can be seen that the present invention has achieved the desired enhancement effect by breaking through the previous technology, and it is not easy to think about by those who are familiar with the art. Its progress and practicality have obviously met the patent application requirements. I filed a patent application in accordance with the law, and urge your office to approve this application for a patent for invention to encourage creation and to feel virtuous.

The above is only exemplary, and not restrictive. Any other equivalent modifications or changes made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be included in the scope of the attached patent application.

1, 2, 3‧‧‧ physiological signal sensor 11, 21, 31‧‧‧ electrode layer 12, 32‧‧‧ First insulation layer 13, 33‧‧‧ pressure sensing layer 14, 24, 34 25、35‧‧‧Second insulation layer 26, 36‧‧‧ Piezoelectric Inductive Layer S‧‧‧Skin PS‧‧‧Physiological signal P‧‧‧Pressure signal E‧‧‧ Piezoelectric signal MC‧‧‧Measure the correct signal MR‧‧‧Measurement error signal Step flow of S21~S24, S41~S44, S61~S66‧‧‧

Fig. 1 is a structural diagram of a physiological signal sensor according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a flowchart of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a structural diagram of a physiological signal sensor according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a structural diagram of a physiological signal sensor according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a third embodiment of the invention.

1: Physiological signal sensor

11: electrode layer

12: The first insulating layer

13: Pressure sensing layer

14: Controller

S: skin

PS: physiological signal

P: pressure signal

MC: measure the correct signal

MR: measurement error signal

Claims (16)

A physiological signal sensor, comprising: an electrode layer, which is arranged on a skin to sense a physiological signal, and the physiological signal is a skin electrical signal or myoelectric signal; a pressure sensing layer senses the One of the pressure signals of the electrode layer; and a controller connected to the electrode layer and the pressure sensing layer, and outputs the physiological signal and outputs a measurement correct signal or a measurement error signal according to the pressure signal; wherein, when When the pressure signal falls within a preset range, the controller determines that the electrode layer is in contact with the skin and generates the measurement correct signal; when the pressure signal does not fall within the preset range, the controller It is determined that the electrode layer is not in contact with the skin, and the measurement error signal is generated. The physiological signal sensor as described in item 1 of the patent scope further includes a piezoelectric sensing layer, which is connected to the controller and senses a piezoelectric signal of the electrode layer, and according to the piezoelectric signal Determine whether the physiological signal is interfered by noise. The physiological signal sensor as described in item 2 of the patent application scope, wherein when the piezoelectric signal indicates that the piezoelectric sensing layer is in a fixed deformation, the controller determines that the external force applied to the electrode layer is stable; when the pressure When the electrical signal shows that the piezoelectric sensing layer is in a non-fixed deformation, the controller determines that the external force applied to the electrode layer is unstable. The physiological signal sensor as described in Item 2 of the patent application scope further includes a first insulating layer disposed between the electrode layer and the pressure sensing layer. The physiological signal sensor as described in item 4 of the patent application scope further includes a second insulating layer disposed between the pressure sensing layer and the piezoelectric sensing layer. The physiological signal sensor as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the electrode layer is made of a flexible, bendable and stretchable material. The physiological signal sensor as described in item 1 of the patent scope, wherein the electrode layer is made of silicon-silver based material. A physiological signal sensor, comprising: an electrode layer, which is arranged on a skin to sense a physiological signal, the physiological signal is a skin electrical signal or a myoelectric signal; a piezoelectric inductive sensing layer is used for sensing A piezoelectric signal of the electrode layer; and a controller connected to the electrode layer and the piezoelectric sensing layer, and output the physiological signal and output a measurement correct signal or a measurement error signal according to the piezoelectric signal ; Wherein, when the piezoelectric signal shows that the piezoelectric sensing layer is in a fixed deformation, the controller determines that the external force applied to the electrode layer is stable, and generates the correct measurement signal; when the piezoelectric signal shows the piezoelectric When the sensing layer is non-fixedly deformed, the controller determines that the external force applied to the electrode layer is unstable and generates the measurement error signal. The physiological signal sensor as described in item 8 of the patent scope further includes a pressure sensing layer, which is connected to the controller and senses a pressure signal of the electrode layer. The physiological signal sensor as described in item 9 of the patent application scope, wherein when the pressure signal falls within a preset range, the controller determines that the electrode layer is in contact with the skin; when the pressure signal does not fall When within the preset range, the controller determines that the electrode layer is not in contact with the skin. The physiological signal sensor as described in item 9 of the patent application scope further includes a first insulating layer disposed between the electrode layer and the pressure sensing layer. The physiological signal sensor as described in item 11 of the patent application scope further includes a second insulating layer disposed between the pressure sensing layer and the piezoelectric sensing layer. The physiological signal sensor as described in item 8 of the patent application, wherein the electrode layer is made of silicon-silver based material. A physiological signal sensing method, comprising: sensing a skin through an electrode layer to generate a physiological signal; using a pressure sensing layer to sense a pressure signal of the electrode layer; sensing with a piezoelectric sensing layer A piezoelectric signal of the electrode layer; and outputting the physiological signal through a controller and outputting a measurement correct signal or a measurement error signal according to the pressure signal and the piezoelectric signal; wherein, when the pressure signal falls in a pre- When the piezoelectric signal indicates that the piezoelectric sensing layer is in a fixed deformation, the controller determines that the electrode layer is in contact with the skin and the external force applied by the electrode layer is stable, and outputs the physiological signal and a quantity Measure the correct signal; when the pressure signal falls within a preset range and the piezoelectric signal indicates that the piezoelectric sensing layer is unsteady deformed, the controller determines that the electrode layer is in contact with the skin but applies the electrode layer The external force is unstable and outputs the physiological signal and a measurement error signal. The physiological signal sensor as described in claim 14 of the patent scope, wherein the step of determining whether the physiological signal is disturbed by noise according to the pressure signal and the piezoelectric signal and outputting the physiological signal further includes: when the pressure signal has not fallen When the piezoelectric signal indicates that the piezoelectric sensing layer is in a fixed deformation within a predetermined range, the controller determines that the electrode layer is not in contact with the skin but the external force applied by the electrode layer is stable, and outputs the physiological signal And a measurement error signal. The physiological signal sensor as described in claim 14 of the patent scope, wherein the step of determining whether the physiological signal is disturbed by noise according to the pressure signal and the piezoelectric signal and outputting the physiological signal further includes: when the pressure signal has not fallen When the piezoelectric signal indicates that the piezoelectric sensing layer is in a non-fixed deformation within a preset range, the controller determines that the electrode layer is not in contact with the skin and the external force applied by the electrode layer is unstable, and outputs the physiological Signal and a measurement error signal.

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