WO2006100331A2 - Intelligent zonal pressure surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an intelligent zonal pressure surface comprising a sheet that is divided into independent, adjacent zones and numerous mainly-piezoelectric sensors. According to the invention, the size of the zones and the number of sensors can vary. In addition, each of said zones is equipped with an output terminal. Some piezoelectric sensors are equipped with piezoresistor sheets that are assembled back-to-back or comprise piezoresistors. The pressures that actuate the sensors, which are associated with one another in the different zones of the sheet, generate electric charges which are output from each terminal. A powered printed circuit collects the terminals and conducts or transmits same wirelessly from the zonal sheet to an intelligent system which interprets the intensity, location and frequency of the charges, enabling same to be read. The invention is particularly suitable for medical applications, such as in the prevention of diabetes foot and painful foot, as well as for sports and pressure diagnostics.

Description

SMART ZONE PRESORA SURFACE

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, as explained in the statement of this specification, refers to a refinement in the design and the consequent mainly medical use of a surface with sensors that manage to receive information that may pose a risk to the skin of your holder. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION What is detailed here is primarily medical use: patients may have ailments that prevent them from noticing a superficial discomfort (on their skin). Suppose the entrance of a small stone in your footwear. If someone healthy detects it, take the easy remedy to remove the stone. On the contrary, who suffers some specific ailments may not detect that foreign body and this causes a wound that can be aggravated. The so-called diabetic neuropathy that involves high insensitivity is typical and a very common case of those suffering from diabetes mellitus (4% of the population). The resulting wound is the so-called diabetic ulcer, with serious effects that require long and expensive care, long periods of rest included. In the USA, almost 60,000 diabetic feet per year are amputated. Also very frequent is the painful foot, produced for example by metatarsalgia and other pathologies.

In the market there are sheets with piezoelectric sensors and others with piezoresistors among the most notable, that occupy certain places of the sole of the foot, and that seek to obtain information on the supports of said foot for the development of orthopedic templates or for diagnoses. There are also fixed platforms. A61B5 / 103, GOlL 3/00, WO 9718450 A ES2008385 EN 1027986. The patent ES 2221577 Bl describes an elastic sheet distributed by areas close to and independent of each other, of variable size and with numerous sensors that occupy said areas and from which it leaves a sign, property of Mr. Juan Carlos Chasco Pérez de Arenaza. The description of the invention of the present specification corresponds to the description of the invention of the patent application P200500729 dated 03/23/2005.

The description of the preferred invention of the present specification corresponds to the description of the preferred invention of the patent application P200600734 dated 03/06/2006.

In the description of the drawings of the present specification the descriptions of the two patent applications P200500729 and

P200600734.

The title of the invention of the present specification corresponds to the title of the patent application P200600734 intelligent zone pressurized surface. The claims of the present specification, result from the claims of patent application P200600734 in full and also claim 8 is added in the present specification, which corresponds to the modification of claims 1-7 of patent application P200500729. DESCRIPTION OF THE BVfVENTION

The device of my invention is an elastic sheet with abundant sensors (L.S. Figure 4), of piezoelectric and piezoresistor composite materials (P. Figure 2) (whose shape and number is not claimed), which are deposited in said sheet.

A dynamic impact or pressure on a sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to that pressure that is collected by conduction.

The signal goes to a digital analog converter or transceiver and to an intelligent integrated circuit with its programs and memory, which inform us of the load, location and frequency.

We can compare this signal with the signals generated by the nearby sensors, and also with respect to normal patterns. All controlled with the intelligent integrated circuit.

Piezoelectric material sensors with added piezoresistors (Figure 2), have the appropriate shape, distribution and interconnections to the surface to be measured. Its composition allows to discriminate the signal even better (at higher pressure the Piezoelectric generates more signal and the piezoresistor allows more of the signal generated by the piezoelectric, proportional to the pressure exerted.) The pressures can be several, simultaneous or not and of different or equal intensity in the different sensors, allowing signals to be generated Electric variable load. The size, number and arrangement of the sensors is sufficient to detect any foreign object of risk to the skin of its holder.

The conductor circuit has a generator (battery, battery, etc.) although self-supply can also be favored. The face that receives the impacts directly has the relief that favors that the small objects are deposited on top of the sensors.

When a risk situation occurs, determined by an intelligent integrated system, it assesses the pressure threshold reached, the frequency and compares the signals between several sensors, based on established parameters and programs; An alarm device (optical or acoustic etc.) or reading device informs its holder that it has risky objects.

As for the shape of the intelligent zonal press surface (SPZI for short) it can be standard, standardized or tailored. Examples: templates of such or such shoe numbers. The smart zone press surface

(SPZI for short) applied to footwear works well on the sole of the foot well in the risk areas of that foot.

All the information is collected by conduction and is taken to an intelligent integrated circuit that interprets it according to a program; and also to alarm devices (optical, acoustic, combined with them) that inform us. The signals can be conducted or radiated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Several drawings are attached, for an understanding of what is described herein. Only as an example do they represent a practical case for the realization of the intelligent zonal pressor surface (SPZI in abbreviation). Figure 1. In perspective: "Pe" Sensor of piezoelectric composite materials. Figure 2. In perspective: Piezoelectric composite materials sensor

"P.e." with a piezoresistor sheet "P.r." attached. Figure 3. In perspective: Strip of twelve serial sensors of piezoelectric composites and piezo resistors "T.s." From the set of them comes an electrical signal, Figure 4. In perspective: Sheet with sensors of piezoelectric composite materials and piezoresistors "L.S.".

Figure 5. Plantar surface: Sheet of piezoelectric composite sensors and piezoresistors added with their serial strips that intersect at different points (thus c, c '4,4') for areas of high discrimination sensitivity as in the zone of metatarsals, (the number of sensors can be varied).

Figure 6. Plantar surface: Sheet of piezoelectric composite sensors and piezoresistors added with its two serrated strips of sensors in parallel (thus c, c '3, 3') for areas of lower discrimination sensitivity, as in the heel, ( the number of sensors can be varied). Figure 7. In perspective: L.Z. Zonal Blade S.A. sensors associated with the view in one of the adjacent and independent areas. CI. Intelligent circuit, with signal converter, autonomous generator and integrated circuit and transmitter antenna, capable of emitting signals without peripheral wiring to a receiver and reader with intelligent programs that interprets the signals. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The device of my invention is an elastic sheet with abundant sensors (L.Z. Figure 7), of piezoelectric composite materials (whose shape and number is not claimed), which are deposited in said sheet. This sheet with sensors (L.Z.) is distributed by zones, which are adjacent and independent of each other (Figure 7); The size of these areas and the number of their sensors are variable. Thus there are large areas with numerous sensors and some small area with less than three sensors.

There are sheets with piezoelectric sensors (Figure 7) communicated with each other, which occupy the different areas of the sheet (SA). Also the piezoelectric sensors of some sheets have added piezoresistors (Figure 2), or - Y - well only piezoresistors occupy these areas of the sheet. Only one terminal with electrical charge signals comes out of each zone.

The sensors are preferably flattened and adapt to the elastic sheet that contains them.

The terminals with signals run properly isolated both on the front and the back of the zonal sheet.

The zonal laminated surface is mostly occupied by the sensors, with enough space to maintain flexibility and contain the terminals of said zones.

The terminals that leave all the terminals of the sheet are grouped and their analog signals become digital (CL).

A dynamic impact or pressure on a sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to that pressure that is collected by conduction. The signal goes to a digital analog converter or transceiver and an intelligent integrated circuit with its programs and memory, which inform us of the load, location, frequency and data to assess the axis of impacts.

We can compare this signal with the signals generated by the sensors in the nearby areas, and also with respect to normal patterns. All controlled with the intelligent integrated circuit.

All sensors have the appropriate shape, distribution and interconnections to the surface to be measured.

The pressures can be several, simultaneous or not and of different or equal intensity in the different sensors, allowing electrical signals of variable load to be generated.

The size number and arrangement of the sensors is sufficient to detect any risk pressure to the skin of its holder.

The conductor circuit has a generator (battery, battery, etc.) although self-supply can also be favored. The face that receives the impacts directly has the relief that favors that the small objects are deposited on the sensors. The different risk pressures are determined by an intelligent integrated system, this assesses the pressures reached, axis, location, frequency and compares the signals between several zones, based on established parameters and programs; an optical reading device informs its holder of said risk pressures.

As for the shape of the intelligent zonal press surface (SPZI for short) it can be standard, standardized or tailored. Examples: templates of such or such shoe numbers. The intelligent zonal piezoelectric surface (SPZI for short) applied to footwear works well on the sole of the foot well in the risk areas of that foot.

All the information is collected by conduction and is taken to an intelligent integrated circuit that interprets it according to a program; and also to reading devices that inform us. The signals can be conducted or radiated.

Its applications: Diabetes prevention and treatment of neuropathy, diagnosis of pressure distribution in medicine, orthopedics and sports, footwear design.

Claims

1. Intelligent zoning press surface, is characterized by: A. Sheet distributed by areas, adjacent and independent of each other, full of sensors that, given the different external dynamic pressures they receive, generate electrical charges proportional to these pressures. B. The size of each of the zones and the number of the sensors that occupy them is variable. C. A terminal with electric charges comes out of each zone. 2. According to 1 The sensors in the leaf areas are piezoelectric. 3. According to 1 The sensors in the areas of the sheet are piezoelectric with added piezoresistors. 4. According to 1 The sensors in the areas of the sheet are associated piezoresistors and also measure static pressures. 5. According to 4. We measure the pressures that occur in each or all areas of the sheet, its location, frequency and assess the mid-axis of the zone pressures, at each moment of the pressure. 6. According to 5. The terminals of the sheet are conducted to an integrated circuit located outside the sheet. 7. According to 6. The template has an integrated system powered, capable of radially sending the signals from the terminals to an intelligent circuit and external reading to said zone sheet. 8. According to 7. The sensor strips that occupy the zones are derived, serialized or combined from both and are distributed along an axis of ordinate and abscissa, crossing their conductive terminals in said sensors.