Low profile acoustic sensor array and sensors with pleated transmission lines and related methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for fabricating a strip sensor array, comprising:
- forming a unitary body strip sensor foundation layer having opposing major surfaces;
forming a series of proximately positioned non-contacting pads and a frame segment into the foundation layer;
positioning two separate opposing PVDF layers on opposing major surfaces of the foundation layer, the PVDF layers including two major surfaces and an electrical signal path formed on one surface and a ground path formed on the other; and
orienting the PVDF layers such that the electrical signal paths of each of the PVDF layers faces the foundation layer.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for fabricating strip sensor arrays with contact pads and frame segments include PVDF layers. Methods for detecting acoustic signals, arranging flexible sensor arrays and reducing electrical/mechanical interference are also described.
55 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method for fabricating a strip sensor array, comprising:
-
forming a unitary body strip sensor foundation layer having opposing major surfaces;
forming a series of proximately positioned non-contacting pads and a frame segment into the foundation layer;
positioning two separate opposing PVDF layers on opposing major surfaces of the foundation layer, the PVDF layers including two major surfaces and an electrical signal path formed on one surface and a ground path formed on the other; and
orienting the PVDF layers such that the electrical signal paths of each of the PVDF layers faces the foundation layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of detecting acoustic wave signals to identify the condition of a patient'"'"'s coronary arteries, comprising:
-
positioning a sensor array having a plurality of pliable sensor elements and first and second opposing piezoelectrically active layers positioned over a center neutral core onto a patient'"'"'s exposed surface in a chest region of interest;
securing each of said plurality of sensor elements to the patient such that they are conformal to the surface of a patient;
flexurally displacing at least one sensor element in response to a detected shear wave in an acoustic frequency of interest, the flexural displacement generating a first voltage having a first polarity associated with said first piezoelectric active layer and a second voltage having an opposing polarity associated with said second piezoelectric active layer; and
combining the first and second voltages to generate an output signal for the flexed sensor responsive to the change in curvature of the patient surface associated with the detected shear wave.
-
-
9. A method of arranging a flexible sensor array on a subject, wherein said sensor array has a plurality of discrete sensor elements associated therewith and a unitized carrier member holding the sensor array in predetermined alignment, comprising:
-
arranging the discrete sensor elements of the array onto the patient while the carrier member holds the sensor elements in predetermined alignment;
securing the sensor elements to the skin of the subject in desired locations; and
subsequently removing the carrier member by peeling the carrier member away from the top surface of the sensor elements, leaving the sensor elements in alignment on the patient. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
-
- 13. A method of reducing the mechanical or electrical interference between one or more of adjacent sensors or undesired system or environmental mechanical input in a flexure responsive acoustic sensor array having a plurality of sensor elements and a plurality of transmission paths, comprising the step of forming a series of undulations in the transmission paths operably associated with the sensor elements to provide mechanical damping therealong.
Specification