• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.168-177
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• 2016

In this paper we present an implantable pressure sensor to measure real-time blood pressure by monitoring mechanical movement of artery. Sensor is composed of inductors (L) and capacitors (C) which are formed by microfabrication and direct bonding on two biocompatible substrates (quartz). When electrical potential is applied to the sensor, the inductors and capacitors generates a LC resonance circuit and produce characteristic resonant frequencies. Real-time variation of the resonant frequency is monitored by an external measurement system using inductive coupling. Structural and electrical simulation was performed by Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) programs, ANSYS and HFSS, to optimize geometry of sensor. Ultrafast laser (femto-second) cutting and MEMS process were executed as sensor fabrication methods with consideration of brittleness of the substrate and small radial artery size. After whole fabrication processes, we got sensors of $3mm{\times}15mm{\times}0.5mm$. Resonant frequency of the sensor was around 90 MHz at atmosphere (760 mmHg), and the sensor has good linearity without any hysteresis. Longterm (5 years) stability of the sensor was verified by thermal acceleration testing with Arrhenius model. Moreover, in-vitro cytotoxicity test was done to show biocompatiblity of the sensor and validation of real-time blood pressure measurement was verified with animal test by implant of the sensor. By integration with development of external interrogation system, the proposed sensor system will be a promising method to measure real-time blood pressure.

• 한국전기전자재료학회논문지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.171-176
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• 2013

In this paper, we present a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) implantable blood pressure sensor which has designed and fabricated with consideration of size, design flexibility, and wireless detection. Mechanical and electrical characterizations of the sensor were obtained by mathematical analysis and computer aided simulation. The sensor is composed of two coils and a air gap capacitor formed by separation of the coils. Therefore, the sensor produces its resonant frequency which is changed by external pressure variation. This frequency movement is detected by inductive coupling between the sensor and an external antenna coil. Theoretically analyzed resonant frequency of the sensor under 760 mmHg was calculated to 269.556 MHz. Fused silica was selected as sensor material with consideration of chemical and electrical reaction of human body to the material. $2mm{\times}5mm{\times}0.5mm$ pressure sensors fitted to radial artery were fabricated on the substrates by consecutive microfabrication processes: sputtering, etching, photolithography, direct bonding and laser welding. Resonant frequencies of the fabricated sensors were in the range of 269~284 MHz under 760 mmHg pressure.

• 한국마이크로전자및패키징학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국마이크로전자및패키징학회 2004년도 추계 기술심포지움 초록집
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• pp.3-4
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• 2004

A flexible Packaging scheme, which embedded chip packaging, has been developed using a thinned silicon chip. Mechanical characteristics of thinned silicon chips are examined by bending test and finite element analysis. Thinned silicon chips ($t<50{\mu}m$) are fabricated by chemical etching process to avoid possible surface damages on them. These technologies can be use for a real-time monitoring of blood pressure. Our research targets are implantable blood pressure sensor and its telemetric measurement. By winding round the coronary arteries, we can measure the blood pressure by capacitance variation of blood vessel.

• 한국전기전자재료학회논문지
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.445-450
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• 2012

We have developed an implantable wireless sensor for real time pressure monitoring of blood circulation system. MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) technology was adopted as a sensor development method. The sensor is composed of photolithographically patterned inductors and a distributed capacitor in gap between the inductors. A resulting LC resonant system produces its resonant frequency in range of 269 to 284 MHz at 740 mmHg. To read the resonant frequency changed by blood pressure variation, we developed a custom readout system based on a network analyzer functionality. The bench-top testing of the pressure sensors showed good mechanical and electrical functionality. A sensor was implanted into tibial artery of farm pig, and interrogated wirelessly with accurate readings of blood pressure. After 45 days, the sensor's electrical response and histopathology were studied with good frequency reading and biocompatibility.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.599-604
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• 2004

본 논문에서는 폴리머/ 금속 다층 공정 기술 (polymer/metal multi layer processing techniques)을 이용한 실시간 혈압 감지를 위한 유연한 생체 삽입형 센서를 새로이 제안한다. 제안되는 방식의 센서는 기계적으로 유연하기 때문에 혈관의 외벽에 대한 침습성을 감소시켜 부착할 수 있다. 즉, 혈압 측정을 위해 센서를 혈관 내에 설치하던 기존의 방법들에 비해서 혈관 자체에 상처를 주지 않고 혈압의 상대적인 변화를 지속적으로 감지할 수 있다. 성인에게 발생하는 급사의 주된 원인은 협심증, 심근 경색과 같은 혈관 관련 질환이다. 플라크 (plaque)의 생성 등과 관계된 순환계 관련 질환들은 지속적인 혈압 감지를 통해서 예방할 수 있으며 발병 초기에 치료할 수 있다. 본 연구에서 제안하는 혈압감지 방법의 과정은 다음과 같다. 우선, 집적된 센서를 혈관 외벽에 부착한다. 둘째, 실장된 센서가 혈관의 기계적인 수축과 확장을 인식한다. 마지막으로, 센서에 의해 인식된 혈압의 변화를 원격 감지 방법을 통해서 외부 안테나에서 감지하게 된다. 센서 시스템에는 어떠한 능동 소자도 존재하지 않기 때문에 에너지와 혈압 변화 정보는 LC 공진기와 외부 안테나 사이에 발생하는 상호 인덕턴스 원리에 의해서 전달되게 된다. 이러한 측정 원리의 가능성을 확인하기 위해서 실리콘 고무관과 혈액을 이용하여 시험관 실험 (In vitro test)을 진행하였다. 우선, 혈액으로 채운 실리콘 고무관에 센서를 감은 후 피스톤으로 압력을 가하였다. 그리고 이를 통해 가해진 압력 변화에 따른 공진 주파수의 변화를 측정하였다. 가해진 압력이 0부터 213.3 KPa까지 변화하는 동안 2.4 MHz의 공진 주파수가 변했다. 그러므로 생체 삽입형 혈압 센서의 감도는 11.25 KHz/KPa이다.

• 한국멀티미디어학회논문지
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• 제22권11호
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• pp.1280-1287
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• 2019

For developing a wireless implantable device to monitoring the artery variation in real-time. The concept of a special vessel variation measurement capacitive sensor is presented in this paper. The sensor consists of two part; main sensor to measuring the arterial variation, and reference sensor is used to improve the accuracy of the capacitance value variation. Before sensor manufacture, a model of the sensor attached on the artery was designed in 3D to conduct in the FEA simulation to validate the validity and feasibility of the idea. The artery model was designed as layered structures and made of collagenous soft tissues with intima inside, followed by the media and the adventitia. Also, a grease layer was designed in the inner of the arterial wall to imitate the clogged arteries. The simulation was divided into two parts; sensor performance test by changing the diameter of the grease layer, and arterial wall tension test by changing the blood pressure. As the simulation results, the capacitance value measured by the proposed sensor is decreased follow the diameter of the grease increased. Also, large elastic deformation of the arterial wall since changing the blood pressure has been observed.