公开(公告)号：US20140331412A1

公开(公告)日：2014-11-13

申请号：US14341328

申请日：2014-07-25

Applicant: Stryker Corporation

Inventor： Geoffrey L. Taylor

IPC: A47C27/08 ,  G01L1/20

CPC classification number: A47C27/082 ,  A61B5/1036 ,  A61B5/6892 ,  A61B2562/0247 ,  A61B2562/046 ,  G01L1/16 ,  G01L1/18 ,  G01L1/20 ,  G01L1/205 ,  G01L5/228 ,  G01N3/08 ,  G01N2203/0623 ,  H01L29/84

Abstract: A support apparatus includes a force sensing array positioned thereon that includes multiple layers of material that are arranged to define an elastically stretchable sensing sheet. The sensing sheet may be placed underneath a patient to detect interface forces or pressures between the patient and the support structure that the patient is positioned on. The force sensing array includes a plurality of force sensors. The force sensors are defined where a row conductor and a column conductor approach each other on opposite sides of a force sensing material, such as a piezoresistive material. In order to reduce electrical cross talk between the plurality of sensors, a semiconductive material is included adjacent the force sensing material to create a PN junction with the force sensing material. This PN junction acts as a diode, limiting current flow to essentially one direction, which, in turn, reduces cross talk between the multiple sensors.

Abstract translation: 支撑装置包括其上定位的力感测阵列，其包括布置成限定弹性可拉伸感测片材的多层材料。 感测片可以放置在患者身体下方以检测患者和患者所在的支撑结构之间的界面力或压力。 力传感阵列包括多个力传感器。 力传感器被定义为行导体和柱导体在力感测材料（例如压阻材料）的相对侧上彼此接近。 为了减少多个传感器之间的电串扰，包括邻近力传感材料的半导体材料以产生与力感测材料的PN结。 该PN结用作二极管，限制电流流向基本上一个方向，这反过来又减少了多个传感器之间的串扰。

公开(公告)号：US20140090488A1

公开(公告)日：2014-04-03

申请号：US13631981

申请日：2012-09-29

Applicant: STRYKER CORPORATION

Inventor： Geoffrey L. Taylor ,  William L. Chapin

IPC: G01L1/18 ,  G01L1/00

CPC classification number: G01L1/144 ,  G01L1/18 ,  G01L9/12

Abstract: Flexible force/pressure sensors for producing electrical output signals proportional to forces or pressures exerted on the sensor include a thin, elastically deformable foam pad laminated between a pair of electrically conducive fabric sheets. A piezocapacitive embodiment of the sensor utilizes an elastically deformable perforated open-cell polyurethane foam pad preferably saturated with glycerin to increase the capacitance of the sensor. The piezocapacitive sensor section is preferably stacked onto a piezoresistive section having a second open-cell foam pad containing piezoresistive carbon particles to form a hybrid piezocapacitive/piezoresistive sensor. A third, “leaky dielectric” embodiment of a sensor includes a single open-cell foam pad which contains both a dielectric liquid and conductive particles. A low frequency such as d.c. to a few hertz is applied to a sensor to determine piezoresistive response of the sensor to forces or pressures and a higher frequency such as 30 KHz is applied to determine piezocapactive response.

Abstract translation: 用于产生与施加在传感器上的力或压力成比例的电输出信号的柔性力/压力传感器包括层压在一对导电织物片之间的薄的可弹性变形的泡沫垫。 传感器的压电式实施例利用可弹性变形的穿孔开孔聚氨酯泡沫垫，其优选地用甘油饱和以增加传感器的电容。 压电传感器部分优选地堆叠到具有包含压阻碳颗粒的第二开孔泡沫垫的压阻部分上以形成混合压电/压阻传感器。 传感器的第三个“泄漏电介质”实施例包括单个开孔泡沫垫，其包含电介质液体和导电颗粒。 低频例如直流 将几赫兹施加到传感器以确定传感器对力或压力的压阻响应，并且应用诸如30KHz的较高频率以确定压电响应。