A muscle activity observation apparatus that includes a sensor module and a detection module. The sensor module includes a piezoelectric sensor. Moreover, the piezoelectric sensor has an output that changes in accordance with a tremor of a tendon or a muscle, and an output that changes in accordance with contraction and relaxation of the tendon or the muscle. A detector of the detection module detects an activity state of the tendon or the muscle using a tremor signal and a contraction-relaxation signal output from the piezoelectric sensor.

The invention relates to a control unit (6) for evaluating the sensor signal of a sensor (2), comprising at least one first sensor connection (21) and a second sensor connection (22) for connecting the sensor (2), wherein the second sensor connection (22) is connected to a short-circuit protection circuit (23), which is arranged between the second sensor connection (22) and a grounding (3), and which comprises a switchable transistor (7), by way of which the grounding (3) of the second sensor connection (22) can be interrupted.

The invention relates to a control unit (6) for evaluating the sensor signal of a sensor (2), comprising at least one first sensor connection (21) and a second sensor connection (22) for connecting the sensor (2), wherein the second sensor connection (22) is connected to a short-circuit protection circuit (23), which is arranged between the second sensor connection (22) and a grounding (3), and which comprises a switchable transistor (7), by way of which the grounding (3) of the second sensor connection (22) can be interrupted.

A displacement sensor having a rectangular shaped elastic member. A piezoelectric element is attached to a first main face of the elastic member. The piezoelectric element has a rectangular-shaped piezoelectric sheet and electrodes on both main faces of the piezoelectric sheet. The piezoelectric sheet is made of poly-L-lactic acid and is at least uniaxially-stretched. The piezoelectric element is attached so that the uniaxial-stretching direction of the piezoelectric sheet is 45 relative to a long-side direction of the elastic member. When the elastic member is bent along the long-side direction, the piezoelectric sheet is stretched along the long-side direction, and the piezoelectric element generates voltage of predetermined level.

A displacement sensor having a rectangular shaped elastic member. A piezoelectric element is attached to a first main face of the elastic member. The piezoelectric element has a rectangular-shaped piezoelectric sheet and electrodes on both main faces of the piezoelectric sheet. The piezoelectric sheet is made of poly-L-lactic acid and is at least uniaxially-stretched. The piezoelectric element is attached so that the uniaxial-stretching direction of the piezoelectric sheet is 45 relative to a long-side direction of the elastic member. When the elastic member is bent along the long-side direction, the piezoelectric sheet is stretched along the long-side direction, and the piezoelectric element generates voltage of predetermined level.

A displacement sensor having a rectangular shaped elastic member. A piezoelectric element is attached to a first main face of the elastic member. The piezoelectric element has a rectangular-shaped piezoelectric sheet and electrodes on both main faces of the piezoelectric sheet. The piezoelectric sheet is made of poly-L-lactic acid and is at least uniaxially-stretched. The piezoelectric element is attached so that the uniaxial-stretching direction of the piezoelectric sheet is 45 relative to a long-side direction of the elastic member. When the elastic member is bent along the long-side direction, the piezoelectric sheet is stretched along the long-side direction, and the piezoelectric element generates voltage of predetermined level.

A displacement sensor having a rectangular shaped elastic member. A piezoelectric element is attached to a first main face of the elastic member. The piezoelectric element has a rectangular-shaped piezoelectric sheet and electrodes on both main faces of the piezoelectric sheet. The piezoelectric sheet is made of poly-L-lactic acid and is at least uniaxially-stretched. The piezoelectric element is attached so that the uniaxial-stretching direction of the piezoelectric sheet is 45 relative to a long-side direction of the elastic member. When the elastic member is bent along the long-side direction, the piezoelectric sheet is stretched along the long-side direction, and the piezoelectric element generates voltage of predetermined level.

Barrier layers for anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) sensors integrated with semiconductor circuits and methods of making the same are described. The AMR sensors includes a NiFe alloy layer disposed over a dielectric layer. The NiFe alloy layer is in contact with a conductive via coupled to the semiconductor circuits in a substrate underneath the AMR sensor. A barrier layer is formed on the dielectric layer to prevent Ni or Fe atoms from diffusing through the dielectric layer toward the semiconductor circuits. Further, a sacrificial layer is used to facilitate forming a planarized surface with ends of the conductive vias exposed without compromising the barrier layer.

Barrier layers for anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) sensors integrated with semiconductor circuits and methods of making the same are described. The AMR sensors includes a NiFe alloy layer disposed over a dielectric layer. The NiFe alloy layer is in contact with a conductive via coupled to the semiconductor circuits in a substrate underneath the AMR sensor. A barrier layer is formed on the dielectric layer to prevent Ni or Fe atoms from diffusing through the dielectric layer toward the semiconductor circuits. Further, a sacrificial layer is used to facilitate forming a planarized surface with ends of the conductive vias exposed without compromising the barrier layer.

A displacement sensor having a rectangular shaped elastic member. A piezoelectric element is attached to a first main face of the elastic member. The piezoelectric element has a rectangular-shaped piezoelectric sheet and electrodes on both main faces of the piezoelectric sheet. The piezoelectric sheet is made of poly-L-lactic acid and is at least uniaxially-stretched. The piezoelectric element is attached so that the uniaxial-stretching direction of the piezoelectric sheet is 45 relative to a long-side direction of the elastic member. When the elastic member is bent along the long-side direction, the piezoelectric sheet is stretched along the long-side direction, and the piezoelectric element generates voltage of predetermined level.