Potential of Piezoelectric Sensors in Bio-signal Acquisition

• Main Author: Dipali BANSAL
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: IFSA Publishing, S.L. 2012-01-01
• Series: Sensors & Transducers
• Subjects: Bio-signal acquisition; Non-invasive; Piezoelectric sensor; Health care monitoring
• Online Access: http://www.sensorsportal.com/HTML/DIGEST/january_2012/P_916.pdf

The purpose of this paper is to understand the prospective of piezoelectric sensors in biomedical sciences to measure and analyze multiple human physiological parameters as most of the human vital sign information is non electrical, quasi-periodic and very low in amplitude, thus posing problems in detection and analysis. This paper presents a broad review on the theory and inherent advantages like high modulus of elasticity, very high natural frequency and linearity over a wide amplitude range, stability over temperature and almost negligible deflection on compression etc of the sensor. It also discusses the benefits of using a piezoelectric sensor in acquiring various bio-signals as they are non-invasive, rugged, versatile and cost effective. The electronics and signal processing involved are also presented. Existing appliances and methods where piezoelectric materials are used for bio-signal acquisition are researched and explained along with their block diagrams. It is found that these sensors are not sensitive to electromagnetic radiation, thus making them more suitable in biomedical applications. The paper gives a current, widespread review on the versatility of piezoelectric sensors for man machine interface to be used in biomedical sciences.