A Piezoelectric Plethysmograph Sensor Based on a Pt Wire Implanted Lead Lanthanum Zirconate Titanate Bulk Ceramic

Abstract

This work reports on the development of a Lead Lanthanum Zirconate Titanate (PLZT) bulk ferroelectric poled ceramic structure as a Piezoelectric Plethysmograph (PZPG) sensor. The ceramic was implanted during its fabrication with a platinum (Pt) wire which works as an internal electrode. The ceramic was then submitted to an experimental setup in order to validate and determine the Pt-wire mechanical effects. This PZPG sensor was also mounted on a finger splint in order to measure the blood flow that results from the pulsations of blood occurring with each heartbeat. Fingertip pulses were recorded jointly with an ECG signal from a 25 year old male to compare the time shift; the PZPG sensor guarantees the electrical isolation of the patient. The proposed PZPG has several advantages: it can be adjusted for fingertip measurements, but it can easily be extended by means of spare bands, therefore making possible PZPG measurements from different body locations, e.g., forehead, forearm, knee, neck, etc.

Electrically Insulated Sensing of Respiratory Rate and Heartbeat Using Optical Fibers

“…In another special case, the most common techniques used to obtain heartbeat signals are photo-plethysmography, impedanciometry, piezoelectric sensors, and others [6,7]. Current new technology trends emphasizes the use of multi-sensors to conveniently and simultaneously sense various vital signals, and moreover, new sensors should provide minimal interference with the environment and must require minimum care; costs should also be as low as possible [8].…”

An Efficient Micro Control Unit with a Reconfigurable Filter Design for Wireless Body Sensor Networks (WBSNs)

“…Researchers have proposed a number of efficient bio-sensors for use with WBSN systems. For example, thermal sensors [3] are used to detect fever in babies and child mortality, while heartbeat and electrocardiogram (ECG) [4] sensors are used to prevent heart disease, and blood pressure (BP) [5] can be also measured to reduce the risk of some cardiovascular diseases. Recently, some special biomedical signals can be measured or detected by image process techniques through digital colour camera CCD-based sensors [6].…”

Characterization and testing of PZLT ferroelectric ceramics with two Pt implants

“…Among piezoelectric ceramics, CCP2 as well as CCP develops a singular performance due to the domain´s coating on Ptwire, these concentrations achieve free flux charges around Pt -wire when CCP2 and CCP are excited by stress or laser illumination, this offers a great variety of applications in medical physics and biomedical engineering [6]- [8].…”