We have ended our recruitment of collaboration partners for the acoustic sensors.

Slim, high-sensitivity,
low-noise acoustic sensors for
measuring biological or mechanical
sounds We welcome partners interested in taking on social issues together with slim,
high-sensitivity, low-noise acoustic sensors.

Description

Partners interested in taking on social issues together with slim acoustic sensors
Products used

Coin-sized acoustic sensor providing superb low-frequency (10-2,000 Hz) measurement
*This product is under development.Therefore, the product specifications are subject to change without advance notice.

MATCHING
POINT

・Companies interested in health monitoring device development
・Companies or healthcare professionals facing challenges associated with remote auscultation
・Companies seeking a partner in applying acoustic sensors in low-frequency measurement, such as for acoustic diagnosis using mechanical vibration

As society rapidly ages and faces greater likelihood of healthcare strain from outbreaks and physician shortages, we are called on to reduce risks of serious illness through early detection supported by remote health monitoring or routine home monitoring of biological sounds. Murata Manufacturing has developed promising technology in response. This coin-sized wearable acoustic sensor can be used in devices for constant high-sensitivity, low-noise measurement of biological sounds such as lung, heart, or bowel sounds.
Targeting frequencies from 10 to 2,000 Hz, it can detect subtle changes in sound.
Murata seeks partners for joint development of solutions for early detection of abnormalities through this continuous monitoring of biological sounds or mechanical vibrations. We welcome inquiries from interested parties.

Contents

Sensor highlights: slim, low-noise
Excellent low-frequency (sub 2 kHz) sensitivity
Anticipating future healthcare
Message from the developers

Sensor highlights: slim, low-noise

The new acoustic sensor is a contact sensor module that picks up low-frequency sound (10-2,000 Hz) from the target area it is next to. Original Murata technology has enabled a high-precision wearable sensor with superb sensitivity and a high S/N ratio in a slim, low-profile module.

Low-noise despite being 2 mm thin and as small as a coin

The acoustic sensor applies many years of Murata knowledge and expertise in piezoelectric elements to overcome traditional challenges in making sensors both slim and highly sensitive.
It offers high sensitivity and a high S/N ratio in a 2-mm-thin module slightly smaller than a 10-yen coin.

Smaller than a 10-yen coin

A high-sensitivity contact sensor for health monitoring

Unlike modules such as the condenser or MEMS microphone in most acoustic sensors, for which surface vibrations on the body are measured as vibrations of sound waves in the air, the Murata acoustic sensor is in contact with the area for sensing. This eliminates the medium of air, enabling direct, accurate sensing. It also enables sensing with an adhesive sensor instead of one that users press against their body, which has been difficult to achieve.
This makes the module especially suitable for biological sound monitoring. Smaller and slimmer than modules that measure through the air, it can be worn longer without discomfort, supporting easier continuous acquisition of highly accurate data over longer periods than before.

Contact sensing

Sensing through the air

Differences between contact sensing and sensing through the air

Excellent low-frequency (sub 2 kHz) sensitivity

The Murata acoustic sensor excels at frequencies below 2 kHz, specifically 10–2,000 Hz. Many biological sounds lie across this range, including murmurs and other heart sounds, respiratory sounds from alveolar or tracheal/bronchial breathing, adventitious sounds such as snoring, crackles and crepitations, or whistling, and intestinal sounds from peristalsis. Besides biological sounds, this frequency band also encompasses sounds from motors, pumps, compressors, and other sources of mechanical vibration. The sensor is a promising solution for monitoring low-frequency sounds in a range of applications.

Please flick to see

Target frequency range

Note: Opinions vary about specific frequency ranges of each sound

Anticipating future healthcare

Helping people stay healthy through biological sound monitoring

These conditions inspired the development of the acoustic sensor, which can be used in biological sound monitoring systems to shed light on the wearer’s health. Real-time health monitoring is possible as vital sounds from cardiovascular, respiratory, or other organs are picked up continuously and clearly by the slim, low-profile acoustic sensor on a wearable device.

Building the infrastructure for biological and mechanical sound analysis

The pandemic has now subsided, but these systems can prepare us for future outbreaks or sudden changes in health conditions. It can play a vital role in remote medical infrastructure. Beyond health, the sensor also shows potential in industrial applications: machinery and equipment maintenance, infrastructure inspection, production quality control, and factory automation.

Message from the developers

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

New Business Incubation Department, Business Incubation Center, Corporate Technology & Business Development Unit: Hirohumi Watanabe
New Business Incubation Department, Business Incubation Center, Corporate Technology & Business Development Unit: Hiroyuki Komatsu

Contributing engineers Hiroyuki Komatsu and Hirofumi Watanabe describe sensor achievements, potential applications, and benefits of collaboration.

QWas it challenging to make the sensor slim and reduce noise?

The slimmer the sensor, the less sensitive it is, which makes it hard to pick up the required biosignals that are below 2 kHz. And because these signals are very subtle, they’re susceptible to sensor noise. Solving these problems took insight from filter circuit design and expertise gained over many years of working with piezoelectric elements.

QWhat applications of this technological solution can we expect in the future?

Wearable biosound monitoring devices with this acoustic sensor can reveal changes in biosound data over time. Until now, obtaining this data has been considered quite difficult. We hope the data can be used in systems developed for early detection of disease or changes in health risks. We’re also exploring applications in fields other than healthcare.

QAre you excited by the prospects of bringing companies and technologies together?

The great advantage when companies collaborate is that they can share their own unique perspectives and outlooks on social issues. New ideas of all kinds arise when social issues come into view. Although we’re often still learning as we go, we push ahead with technological development with the belief that our persistent desire to explore new technologies will lead to unexpected discoveries. In any case, we’ll be taking on new social issues together through this collaboration.

We have ended our recruitment of collaboration partners for the acoustic sensors.

List of Projects for Collaboration

Inquiries

Murata Manufacturing is looking for research institutions, companies, and other organizations who are in the relentless pursuit of innovation and interested in turning ideas into unique solutions that could quite possibly shape the future of electronics and our global society.
*This product is under development.Therefore, the product specifications are subject to change without advance notice.