Human pulse detection using multiple silicon microphones toward estimation of physical condition

Abstract

An Electret Condenser Microphone (ECM) fabricated by Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) technology, or a silicon microphone chip, was integrated into a multiple sensor apparatus to detect human pulse wave toward estimation of physical condition of our body. Ten of MEMS-ECMs were placed at the forearm of a subject with multi-channel signal amplifier and recorder. As a developing result, it is successfully demonstrated that MEMS-ECM sensors are sensitive enough to detect human pulse wave. Moreover, it is suggested that an internal physical condition in relation to an activity of sympathetic/ parasympathetic nervous system might be estimated by comparing pulse signals derived by this multiple MEMS-ECM sensors. © 2012 Asian Network for Scientific Information.