KR102145768B1 - Flexible transducer manufacturing apparatus for measuring a biological signal and size and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a flexible transducer for measuring vital signs and sizes, which includes: a piezoelectric element (110) in which a plurality of matching layers (111, 112) are sequentially stacked in a piezo ceramic (113); lens (120) stacked on one surface of the piezoelectric element (110); and a sound-absorbing layer (130) stacked on the opposite surface of the piezoelectric element (110), wherein the lens (120) and the sound-absorbing layer (130) are formed by injecting and curing a material having elasticity. In the present invention, it is possible to appropriately respond to changes in the body, so that the vital signs and sizes can be accurately measured.

Description

Flexible transducer manufacturing apparatus and method for measuring biological signals and size {FLEXIBLE TRANSDUCER MANUFACTURING APPARATUS FOR MEASURING A BIOLOGICAL SIGNAL AND SIZE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a flexible transducer for measuring biological signals and sizes.

In general, an ultrasonic system emits an ultrasonic signal to an object to be inspected by the piezoelectric effect of a transducer, which is a transducer, and as a result, receives an ultrasonic signal reflected from a discontinuous surface of the object and returns, and then converts the received ultrasonic signal into an electrical signal. It is a system that inspects the internal state of an object by converting it to a predetermined video device and outputting it. Such ultrasonic systems are widely used for medical diagnosis, non-destructive testing, underwater navigation devices, and the like.

Among them, the ultrasound system for medical diagnosis was used to measure the amount of urine in the bladder in the examination of bladder abnormalities or urination disorders. In order to measure urine volume in the bladder, urine volume was calculated from ultrasound images on the vertical and horizontal planes of the bladder measured using an ultrasound diagnostic device.

However, in such a conventional ultrasound system for medical diagnosis, the bladder of the human body is located behind the pubis, and the bladder expands as urine is filled in the bladder. Therefore, in the conventional ultrasound system, it is difficult to accurately measure when the distance between the ultrasound sensor and the bladder is separated and the bladder is the smallest size by the pubis. In other words, in order to measure the expansion of the bladder, the ultrasonic sensor must be in close contact with the human body and respond to its deformed shape, but the ultrasonic sensor is applied to the human body due to the expansion of the bladder or breathing by applying Piezo Ceramic, which has a hard property. There was a problem in that the gap between the sensor and the measurement part was gradually separated due to the failure to adequately respond to the deformation of.

Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1874613 (2018.06.28)

Accordingly, the present invention has been conceived to solve the conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a flexible transducer for measuring bio-signals and sizes capable of maintaining a stable contact between a sensor and a measurement site by appropriately responding to deformation of the human body. In the offering.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for manufacturing a flexible transducer for measuring bio-signals and sizes that can respond to body deformation and reduce manufacturing cost and time.

Therefore, the present invention may include the following embodiments to achieve the above object.

An embodiment of the present invention is for measuring bio-signals and sizes including lenses and sound-absorbing layers laminated by injecting and curing a material having elasticity on one side and the opposite side of a piezoelectric element in which a plurality of matching layers are sequentially stacked in piezo ceramics In the apparatus for manufacturing a flexible transducer, an element jig having a plurality of element receiving grooves inwardly directed from the upper surface so that a plurality of piezoelectric elements are installed, and an element jig in which the piezoelectric elements are fastened are inserted, and the lens is molded. It is possible to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a flexible transducer for measuring bio-signals and sizes, including a base jig having a molding groove into which a material is injected.

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Accordingly, the present invention is a molding material having an elastic force, as a lens and a sound-absorbing layer are formed integrally with a plurality of piezoelectric elements, so that it is possible to respond appropriately to changes in the body, so that the biological signal and size can be accurately measured.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the frequency band is extended and the sensitivity of ultrasound can be increased, an effect of more accurately measuring a region located under the pubic bone, such as a bladder, can be obtained.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a flexible transducer for measuring a living body signal and size according to the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view showing a piezoelectric element.
3 is a flow chart showing a method of manufacturing a flexible transducer for measuring a bio-signal and size according to the present invention.
4 is a perspective view showing a device jig.
5 is a perspective view showing a base jig.
6 is a perspective view showing step S130.
7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6.
8 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the present invention.
9 is a graph showing a conventional ultrasonic wave.
10 is a graph showing the ultrasound of the present invention.

The present invention may be modified in various ways and may have various embodiments, but specific embodiments will be described in detail by exemplifying them in the drawings.

This is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific embodiment, and to any one of all changes, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention for connecting and/or fixing structures extending in different directions. It should be understood as applicable.

The terms used in the present specification are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present specification, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features. It is to be understood that the presence or addition of elements or numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, does not preclude in advance.

In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A preferred embodiment of a flexible transducer for measuring a bio-signal and size according to the present invention and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flexible transducer for measuring a bio-signal and size according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a piezoelectric element.

1 and 2, the present invention relates to a plurality of piezoelectric elements 110, a lens 120 laminated with a molding material having elasticity on one surface of the piezoelectric element 110, and the piezoelectric elements 110. It includes a sound-absorbing layer 130 laminated on the opposite side. Here, the piezoelectric element 110 to the sound-absorbing layer 130 may be accommodated inside the housing (not shown), and the wire 140 may be connected to each piezoelectric element 110 to be drawn out of the housing.

A plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 are formed integrally with each other, and separate wires 140 are connected to each other and are drawn out of the housing. In each of the piezoelectric elements 110, a first matching layer 111 and a second matching layer 112 are sequentially stacked on a piezo ceramic 113. Here, the first matching layer 111 and the second matching layer 112 match the acoustic impedance when ultrasonic waves are incident on the body. Here, the conventional ultrasonic sensor is composed of only piezo ceramics, but the present invention is to increase the frequency band and increase sensitivity by stacking the first matching layer 111 and the second matching layer 112. I did. This will be described later with reference to FIG. 9.

The lens 120 has elasticity and is formed of a transparent or colored molding material to guide the projection to a target point while preventing diffusion of ultrasonic waves generated from the piezoelectric element 110. Here, as the molding material is applied and cured on one surface of the piezoelectric elements 110, the piezoelectric elements 110 are integrally manufactured.

The sound-absorbing layer 130 is formed of a backing material coated and cured on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric elements 110. Here, the sound-absorbing layer 130 attenuates noise signals vibrating in the opposite direction to be measured. In addition, the backing material may be made of a material having elasticity.

In addition, a plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 may be integrally connected by an adhesive material 150.

In addition, the adhesive material, the lens molding material, and the backing material are materials having elasticity such as silicone and may be deformed in shape such as bending due to pressure applied when they are in close contact with the body. Therefore, the transducer 100 of the present invention allows the plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 to be aligned not only to maintain vertical alignment during measurement, but to move the alignment position according to body changes.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for manufacturing the transducer 100 will be described.

3 is a flow chart showing a method of manufacturing a flexible transducer for measuring a bio-signal and size according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a device jig, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a base jig, and FIG. 6 is a step S130. A perspective view, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6.

3 to 7, the manufacturing method of the flexible transducer 100 for measuring a bio-signal and size according to the invention is S110 in which a wire 140 is connected to the piezoelectric element 110 and installed on the device jig 200. Steps, step S120 of injecting a lens molding material into the base jig 300, step S130 of stacking the device jig 200 on the base jig 300, step S140 of curing for a set time, and the piezoelectric element 110 ) And the lens 120, and then applying a backing material to form the sound-absorbing layer 130, and S160 of assembling it to the housing.

Step S110 is a step of manufacturing the piezoelectric element 110 and connecting the wire 140. The piezoelectric element 110 may have two or more matching layers 111 and 112 stacked on one surface of the piezo ceramic 113. In order to measure the bladder located behind the pubis with a thin thickness, it has a wider frequency band than that of the prior art, and by using a matching layer, it is possible to generate ultrasonic waves having higher sensitivity than a product using a single piezo ceramic. Here, the wire 140 is connected to the piezoceramic 113 by soldering before or after the piezoelectric element 110 is installed in the device jig 200. The device jig 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

Referring to Figure 4, the device jig 200 is inward from one surface of the jig body 210, a plurality of device receiving grooves 220 into which the device is inserted, and a wire 140 through the device receiving groove 220 It includes a guide hole 230 for guiding.

Therefore, the piezoelectric elements 110 are respectively installed in the element receiving groove 220, and connected to the piezoelectric element 110 by soldering while the wire 140 is inserted into the element receiving groove 220 through the guide hole 230 do. That is, in the present invention, a plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 may be installed at the same time.

Preferably, the device jig 200 further includes a communication groove 240 that is inward from the upper surface so that the lens molding material to be described later can be moved between the device receiving grooves 220, or the device receiving groove 220 A plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 are integrally manufactured using a lens molding material to be described later by opening one surface to connect the element receiving grooves 220.

Step S120 is a step of injecting a lens molding material into the base jig 300. Here, the base jig 300, referring to FIG. 5, includes a base body 310 with one side open, a molding groove 320 inwardly directed to the upper surface of the base body 310, and an open molding groove 320. It includes a cover 340 for sealing one side and a locking protrusion 330 that is stepped from the inner surface of the forming groove 320.

The forming groove 320 is formed to extend from the upper surface of the base body 310 to one end. Therefore, the forming groove 320 is formed to open one side. The cover 340 is fitted to one end of the base body 310 so as to seal the open side of the forming groove 320 as described above.

The locking protrusion 330 is formed stepped from the inner surface of the forming groove 320 and supports the device jig 200 that is drawn from the upper side.

The operator injects the lens molding material into the molding groove (320). Here, it is preferable that the water level of the lens molding material is adjusted so as not to exceed a predetermined height of the locking protrusion 330. More preferably, the lens molding material may be made of transparent or colored liquid silicone to have elasticity.

Here, the lens molding material may serve as an adhesive material that interconnects the plurality of piezoelectric elements 110.

Step S130 is a step of coupling the device jig 200 to the base jig 300. The device jig 200 is coupled to the forming groove 320 of the base jig 300 in a state in which the piezoelectric elements 110 inserted in the device receiving groove 220 are turned over toward the bottom surface of the forming groove 320. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

6 and 7, the device jig 200 is inserted from the open upper side of the molding groove 320 in a state in which the piezoelectric element 110 faces the bottom surface of the molding groove 320. At this time, the jig body 210 is locked by the locking projection 330 to maintain a state spaced apart from the bottom surface of the forming groove 320. Here, the spaced space between the bottom surface of the molding groove 320 and the piezoelectric element 110 is a space into which the lens molding material is injected, and the height corresponds to the thickness of the lens 120.

Step S140 is a curing step. After the lens molding material is injected, the device jig 200 and the base jig 300 coupled to each other are accommodated in a UV curing chamber or other curing device and cured for a set time.

Step S150 is a step of applying and curing a backing material after drawing out the piezoelectric element 110. Here, the operator pulls out the device jig 200 fastened to the base jig 300 and pulls out the piezoelectric device 110 from the device jig 200. Here, the lens 120 is molded on the upper surface of the piezoelectric element 110. That is, the piezoelectric element 110 is pulled out in a state in which the lens 120 is stacked on the upper surface of the second matching layer 112.

Here, as the plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 are installed in the element jig 200 and the lens 120 is molded at the same time, the piezoelectric elements 110 may be integrally formed with each other. That is, the plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 are integrally coupled by the lens 120.

Thereafter, the operator simultaneously applies and cures the backing material on the rear surfaces of the plurality of piezoelectric elements 110. Here, the backing material forms the sound-absorbing layer 130, and is preferably a silicone material that can be deformed by pressure because it has elasticity.

Step S160 is a step of simultaneously accommodating the piezoelectric elements 110 completed up to the sound-absorbing layer 130 in one housing. Here, the housing may have a concave or convex curved shape so as to be in close contact with the human body, or may be partially opened to be exposed to the outside of the piezoelectric elements 110. Such shape deformation can be variously modified according to the intention and use of the operator or designer.

Therefore, the present invention is a material having elasticity such as silicon so that the external shape can be deformed by the pressure applied while in close contact with the body, and an adhesive material that integrates the lens 120 and the sound absorbing layer 130 and a plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 As used as the piezoelectric element 110 can actively respond to body changes.

That is, the present invention is a material in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 can be deformed by an elastic force, such as silicon, and is an adhesive that connects the lens 120, the sound absorbing layer 130, and the plurality of piezoelectric elements 110. As it is applied as a material, it can respond flexibly to body transformations such as expansion of the outer surface of the body and the bladder.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the transducer 100 according to the present invention, when a plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 are made and assembled of a material having elasticity such as silicon, when measuring the bladder in close contact with the body, the bladder is urine Even if it is expanded by, an appropriate response is possible. That is, in the present invention, the arrangement shape may be modified so that the plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 arranged vertically are inclined to one side or the other side instead of a vertical state.

In addition, measurement of the size of the bladder or the body signal may be subject to interference by the pubis before the bladder is expanded to a certain size as the bladder is positioned behind the pubis.

Accordingly, the present invention increases the sensitivity of ultrasonic waves and has a wider band by adding a matching layer stacked on the piezo ceramic 113, as described above. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

9 is a graph showing a conventional ultrasonic wave, of which (a) of FIG. 9 is a graph showing the pulse width of the ultrasonic wave, and (b) of FIG. 9 is a graph showing a frequency band.

10 is a graph showing the ultrasonic wave of the present invention, of which (a) of FIG. 10 is a graph showing the pulse width of the ultrasonic wave, and (b) of FIG. 10 is a graph showing a frequency band.

When comparing (a) of FIG. 9 and (a) of FIG. 10, it is confirmed that the ultrasonic pulse width of the present invention has a higher value than that of the prior art.

When comparing (b) of FIG. 9 and (b) of FIG. 10, it is confirmed that the frequency band of the present invention is expanded compared to the prior art by adding a matching layer to the piezoelectric element 110.

That is, in the present invention, it is possible to appropriately respond to changes in the body, and as an ultrasonic wave having an extended frequency band and high sensitivity compared to the prior art, bio-signal and size measurement can be performed more precisely.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are merely exemplary, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible.

100: transducer 110: piezoelectric element
111: first matching layer 112: second matching layer
113: piezo ceramic 120: lens
130: sound-absorbing layer 140: wire
200: element jig 210: jig body
220: element receiving groove 230: guide hole
240: communication groove 300: base jig
310: base body 320: forming groove
330: locking jaw 340: cover

Claims (7)

In the piezoceramic 113, the lens 120 and the sound-absorbing layer are stacked by injecting and curing a material having elasticity on one surface and the opposite surface of the piezoelectric element 110 on which a plurality of matching layers 111 and 112 are sequentially stacked. In the apparatus for manufacturing a bio-signal and a size measurement flexible transducer having 130),
An element jig 200 having a plurality of element receiving grooves 220 inwardly directed from the upper surface so that the plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 are installed; And
For measuring bio-signals and sizes, including; a base jig 300 having a molding groove 320 in which the device jig 200 to which the piezoelectric elements 110 are fastened is inserted and which is inwardly directed to the upper surface and into which the lens molding material is injected. Flexible transducer manufacturing equipment.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lens 120 and the sound-absorbing layer 130 are made of silicon.
delete The method according to claim 1, the device jig 200 is
A jig body 210 extending in one direction;
An element accommodating groove 220 that is inwardly aligned from an upper surface of the jig body 210 so that a plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 are installed and aligned in one direction; And
A guide hole 230 for guiding the wire 140 through the jig body 210 in each element receiving groove 220; Flexible transducer manufacturing apparatus for measuring bio-signal and size comprising a.
The method according to claim 1, the base jig 300 is
A locking jaw 330 formed on the inner surface of the forming groove 320 to support the device jig 200 so as to be spaced apart from the bottom surface of the forming groove 320; And
A bio-signal and size measurement flexible transducer manufacturing apparatus including a cover 340 that is fastened to the end of the base jig 300 to seal the open side of the molding groove 320.
In the piezoceramic 113, a lens 120 and a sound-absorbing layer are stacked by injecting and curing a material having elasticity on one surface and the opposite surface of the piezoelectric element 110 on which a plurality of matching layers 111 and 112 are sequentially stacked. In the method for manufacturing a flexible transducer for measuring bio-signal and size, comprising:
a) installing a plurality of piezoelectric elements 110 to the element jig 200 and connecting the wires 140;
b) injecting the lens molding material into the receiving groove inward on the upper surface of the base jig 300;
c) fastening the device jig 200 to the open upper side of the receiving groove so that the piezoelectric element 110 faces the bottom surface of the receiving groove and curing for a set time; And
d) After separating the device jig 200 from the base jig 300, the piezoelectric elements 110 on which the lens 120 is molded by a lens molding material are pulled out, and a backing material is applied and cured on the rear surface of the sound-absorbing layer ( Molding 130); A method of manufacturing a flexible transducer for measuring bio-signals and sizes comprising a.
The method according to claim 6, the lens molding material and the backing material
A method of manufacturing a flexible transducer for measuring bio-signal and size, which is made of silicon.

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