• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2017

In this paper, a novel measurement method of radial artery pulse waveform using robotic applanation tonometry (RAT) was present to reduce the errors by the pressing direction of the vessel. The RAT consisted of an array of pressure sensors and 2-axis tilt sensor, which was attached to the universal joint with a linear spring and five-DOF robotic manipulator with a one-axis force sensor. Using the RAT mechanism, the pulse sensor could be manipulated to perpendicularly pressurize the radial artery. A pilot experimental result showed that the proposed mechanism could find the optimal pressurization angles of the pulse sensor within ${\pm}3^{\circ}$standard deviations. Coefficient values of variation of maximum pulse peaks extracted from the pulse waveforms were 4.692, 6.994, and 11.039 % for three channels with the highest magnitudes. It is expected that the proposed method can be helpful to develop more precise tonometry system measuring the pulse waveform on the radial artery.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.327-337
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• 2016

In this study, laboratory hydraulic fracturing tests are carried out to evaluate the effects of the cleavage anisotropy of Pocheon granite. Breakdown pressure is smaller when cracks are generated to the direction of rift plane in constant pressurization rate condition because of higher microcracks density. Besides not only injection rate changes but also the amount of injection pressure for fracture initiation and crack expansion is detected while testing due to internal deformation. Pressurization rate is higher while hydraulic fracture testing with constant injection rate condition in case of the specimen which has rift plane perpendicular to borehole because there are much flow paths to penetrate compared to the specimen which has hardway plane perpendicular to borehole. Observation by X-ray CT scanning shows that almost all of cracks due to hydraulic fracturing are generated to the direction of plane which has higher microcrack density that is rift plane or grain plane.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.138-142
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• 2016

A pulse measurement by tonometry provides useful information for diagnosis, including not only blood pressure and heart rate but also parameters for estimating a condition of the cardiovascular system. Currently, various pulse measurement devices based on the tonometry have been developed. A reliability of these devices is determined by a positioning technic between the sensor and the blood vessel and a controlling technique of the pressurization level. An angle of the sensor for the pulse measurement seems to be highly related with a measured signal, however, the objective studies for this issue have been not published. In this paper, the variation of the pulse signals by tonometry direction was experimentally assessed according to the angle of the sensor. In order for guaranteeing the repeatability of the experiment, we used a pulse generator device, which can generate human pulse signal by using silicon tube and fluid pump, and developed a structure for precise adjustment of the angle and the pressurization level of the sensor. The angle of the sensor was acquired by an inclinometer, which was attached at the opposite side of the sensor. As results, a coefficient of variation (CV) of a maximum amplitude (MA) of the pulse wave was largely increased over the angle range of $-9{\sim}9^{\circ}$. Furthermore, the changes of the pulse shape showed different aspects according to the sign of the angle tilted along the blood vessel. It is expected that the results of this study can be helpful for developing more precise pulse measurement devices based on the tonometry and applying in clinic.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.405-415
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• 2019

The cracks induced by hydraulic rock splitting technique are formed in the direction parallel to the free plane, which is perpendicular to the minimum principal stress of the ground, or is affected by the pre-existing microcracks. In this study, the hydraulic rock splitting experiments were conducted in which the guide slot was engraved in the direction parallel to the borehole axis on the biotite granite slope, and the hydraulic pressure was injected through the double packer pressure and interval section. The test results show that the cracks along with the guide slots were induced either by the double packer pressurization or the injection of hydraulic pressure into interval section, some cracks extended across the boreholes. Therefore, the hydraulic rock splitting test is expected to control efficiently the induced cracks if the guide slots are engraved in the direction of splitting and a big flow rate is applied.