Development of a Multi-Array Pressure Sensor Module for Radial Artery Pulse Wave Measurement

This study proposes a new structure for a pressure sensor module that can reduce errors caused by measurement position and direction in noninvasive radial artery pulse wave measurement, which is used for physiological monitoring. We have proposed a structure for a multi-array pressure sensor with a hexagonal arrangement and polydimethylsiloxane that easily fits to the structure of the radial artery, and evaluated the characteristics and pulse wave measurement of the developed sensor by finite element method simulation, a push–pull gauge test, and an actual pulse wave measurement experiment. The developed sensor has a measuring area of 17.6 × 17.6 mm(2) and a modular structure with the analog front end embedded on the printed circuit board. The finite element method simulation shows that the developed sensor responds linearly to external pressure. According to the push–pull gauge test results for each channel, there were differences between the channels caused by the unit sensor characteristics and fabrication process. However, the correction formula can minimize the differences and ensure the linearity, and root-mean-squared error is 0.267 kPa in calibrated output. Although additional experiments and considerations on inter-individual differences are required, the results suggested that the proposed multiarray sensor could be used as a radial arterial pulse wave sensor.