# US 8,543,179 B2 · Biomedical sensor device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,543,179 B2 - Document ID: US8543179B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/480,115 - Filed: 2009-06-08 - Published: 2010-11-11 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2009-05-05 - Assignees: National Chiao Tung University - Applicants: Yu-Han Chen; Lun-De Liao; Paul C.-P. Chao; Chin-Teng Lin - Inventors: Yu-Han Chen; Lun-De Liao; Paul C.-P. Chao; Chin-Teng Lin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8543179B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/0059: {using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence (photoacoustic A61B5/0093; optical measurement of heart rate A61B5/02416; optical measurement of blood flow A61B5/0261; optical measurement of analytes A61B5/1455)} - A61B 5/1455: using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters - A61B 5/411: {Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance} - A61B 5/685: {Microneedles} - A61B 5/14532: {for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement} - A61B 5/14552: {Details of sensors specially adapted therefor} - A61B 5/296: for electromyography [EMG] - A61B 2562/0233: Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00 - A61B 2562/046: in a matrix array - A61B 2562/125: characterised by the manufacture of electrodes - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A biomedical sensor device includes a light source, a probe array, and a photo detector. The light source is configured for emitting infrared radiation. The probe array is contacted to a user's skin to detect an electric wave signal transmitted through the probe array from the skin. The probe array includes a substrate and a plurality of probes mounted on the substrate, wherein the substrate and the probes are non-opaque so that the infrared radiation may be transmitted through the probe array into the skin. The photo detector is configured to detect an infrared signal by measuring the infrared radiation absorption by the skin. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A biomedical sensor device, comprising: a light source, configured for emitting infrared radiation; a probe array, for contacting to a user's skin and for detecting an electric wave signal from the skin, and comprising a substrate and a plurality of probes mounted on the substrate, wherein the substrate and the probes are non-opaque whereby the infrared radiation transmits through the probe array into the skin, wherein each of the probes comprises: a tip portion; a first stalk portion, comprising a top thereof connected to the tip portion, wherein a cross-sectional area of the top is larger than that of a bottom of the first stalk portion; and a second stalk portion comprising a bottom thereof connected to the substrate, and wherein the cross-sectional area of a top of the second stalk portion is smaller than that of the bottom of the second stalk portion; and a photo detector, configured for detecting an infrared signal by measuring the infrared radiation absorption by the skin. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photo detector further comprises a color filter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infrared signal is used for measuring blood oxygen concentration or blood sugar concentration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric wave signal is used for measuring EEG (electroencephalography), ECG (electrocardiography) or EMG (electromyography). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substrate and the probes are transparent. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substrate is made of silicon, silicon dioxide or zinc oxide. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probes are made of TCO (transparent conductive oxides). ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the TCO comprises ITO (tin doped Indium oxide), FTO (fluorine doped tin dioxide), AZO (aluminum doped zinc oxide) or GZO (gallium doped zinc oxide). ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tip portion and the first stalk portion are made of silicon, silicon dioxide or zinc oxide. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the probes further comprises a conductive layer covering the tip portion and the first stalk portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the conductive layer is made of a polymer, a thin film material or a metal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tip portion is configured for puncturing stratum corneum and the stratum germinativum of the skin to allow the probe to penetrate into the stratum germinativum. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a length of the tip portion is about 50-150 μm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the tip portion is about 80-100 μm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source comprises an infrared light-emitting diode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a distance between the light source and the photo detector is about 2-4 cm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wavelength range of the infrared is between 700 nm to 100 μm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wavelength range of the infrared is between 700-1400 nm. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The biomedical sensor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wavelength range of the infrared is between 700-900 nm.