Spiral sensor
OwnerDavid L. Bowersinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor has a transducer film attached substantially along a spiral cord. The spiral cord provides flexibility in attaching the sensor to a body portion, and provides that multiple, individual sections along the length thereof come into contact with the patient. The transducer film preferably comprises a piezo film with a metallization surface on each side thereof. A wire conductor is attached along the length of the outer metallization surface to maintain conductive integrity under expected stress levels and situations. In another embodiment, plural layer sensors are formed, having two or more transducer films placed one on top of the other along the length of the sensor, or selected portions of the sensor length.
Claims22
A sensor comprising:
- a) a spiral tube having a predetermined length and width;
- b) a transducer attached substantially along said spiral tube length and within said spiral tube width;
- and
- c) terminal means connected to said transducer for reading signals generated by said transducer.
A sensor comprising:
- a) a spiral tube having a predetermined length and width;
- b) a transducer having an inner and outer surface, said inner surface attached substantially along said spiral tube length and within said spiral tube width;
- c) terminal means connected to said transducer for reading signals generated by said transducer;
- and
- d) conductive means attached along a substantial length of said outer surface of said transducer for maintaining conductive integrity along said transducer.
A multi-transducer sensor, comprising a spiral tube having an outer face and a predetermined length and width, a first transducer having an outer surface and attached substantially along said outer face of said spiral tube length, a second transducer attached substantially along said outer surface of said first transducer, and terminal means connected to each of said transducer for providing respective signals generated by each of said transducers.
A method for determining the force vector of a force generated within a portion of a human body, comprising
- a) providing a sensor having a spiral tube with an outer surface, a transducer attached substantially along said outer surface of said spiral tube and terminal means connected to said transducer for outputting transducer signals,
- b) connecting said spiral tube sensor around said body portion,
- c) connecting said transducer terminal means to processing circuitry and processing said signals to determine at least approximately where along the length of said sensor the force vector is located.
A stimulator comprising:
- a) a spiral tube having a predetermined length and width;
- b) a transducer attached substantially along said spiral tube length and substantially within said spiral tube width;
- and
- c) energizing means connected to said transducer for delivering stimulus signals thereto, whereby said transducer provides a mechanical response.
A combination stimulator and sensor, comprising:
- (a) a spiral tube having a predetermined length;
- (b) a first transducer attached along at least a first portion of said spiral tube length;
- (c) a second transducer attached along at least a second portion of said spiral tube length;
- (d) energizing means connected to said first transducer for delivering stimulus signals thereto, whereby said first transducer provides a mechanical response;
- and
- (e) sensor means connected to said second transducer for providing signals generated by said second transducer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.