Patent Publication Number: US-2023146555-A1

Title: Electronic device for monitoring voice and laryngeal disorders

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0154106, filed on Nov. 10, 2021, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure described herein relate to an electronic device for monitoring voice and laryngeal disorders, and more particularly, relate to an electronic device for monitoring voice and laryngeal disorders, which provides electrical signals corresponding to a voice variation of a user and a larynx movement of the user by using a pressure sensor. 
     The number of patients with voice and laryngeal disorders is increasing every year, and medical expenses are continuously increasing due to this. After diagnosis of the voice and laryngeal disorders, treatment methods include a voice therapy, a drug therapy, or a surgery. In particular, during the rehabilitation process after the surgery, it is absolutely necessary to check the progress by simultaneously observing vocalization, breathing, and swallowing. However, the diagnosis and observation of the voice and laryngeal disorders are currently performed through a physical examination by a doctor. Other than that, the diagnosis and observation of the voice and laryngeal disorders may use implantable devices or indirect imaging methods. However, the implantable devices may be objectionable to patients, and the indirect imaging methods have a risk of exposure to radiation and difficulty in real-time measurement. 
     To overcome such issues, technologies for measuring the intensity of a vocalization and a voice using a microphone in relation to the voice disorders is proposed. However, when the microphone is used, noise is generated depending on an external environment, such as a noise sound, and thus a signal for measurement may be distorted. In addition, since movement of the larynx cannot be simultaneously sensed during measuring, there are issues in that voice and laryngeal disorders cannot be comprehensively observed. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electronic device that allows user&#39;s voice and laryngeal disorders to be simultaneously monitored, by providing electrical signals corresponding to a voice variation of a user and a larynx movement of the user, using a pressure sensor. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device for monitoring voice and laryngeal disorders, which includes a substrate, a first pressure sensor array disposed along a first direction on the substrate and including a plurality of first pressure sensors each extending in a second direction different from the first direction, and at least one second pressure sensor extending in the first direction on the substrate and disposed to be spaced apart from the first pressure sensor array in the second direction. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device for monitoring voice and laryngeal disorders, which includes a substrate, and a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor on the substrate, and the first pressure sensor senses a first pressure and generates a first electrical signal, the second pressure sensor senses a second pressure and generates a second electrical signal, the first electrical signal corresponds to a pressure change caused by a movement of a larynx, and the second electrical signal corresponds to a pressure change caused by a vibration of the voice. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The above and other objects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent by describing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device taken along a line A-A′ of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which an electronic device of  FIG.  4    is attached to a user&#39;s neck skin. 
         FIGS.  6 A to  6 B  are graphs illustrating an operation of a second pressure sensor, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a graph illustrating an operation of a second pressure sensor, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  8 A to  8 B  are graphs illustrating an operation of a first pressure sensor array, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  9 A to  9 B  are graphs illustrating an operations of a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor in the same time period, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and in detail such that those skilled in the art may easily carry out the present disclosure. 
     Further, embodiments described herein will be described with reference to cross-sectional and/or plan views, which are ideal illustrative views of the present disclosure. In drawings, the thicknesses of the layers and regions may be exaggerated to describe the technical features effectively. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, the etched region illustrated at a right angle may be rounded or have a predetermined curvature. Thus, the regions illustrated in the drawings are schematic in nature and their shapes are intended to illustrate the specific shapes of the regions of the device and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An electronic device  10  may be attached to a user&#39;s neck skin. For example, the electronic device  10  may be attached to the skin around the user&#39;s larynx. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device  10  may generate electrical signals using a plurality of pressure sensors. For example, the electrical signal may be a signal corresponding to a variation in the user&#39;s voice and/or a larynx movement of the user. The electronic device  10  may transfer an electrical signal to an externally provided display device (not illustrated). Referring to  FIG.  1   , the electronic device  10  may include a substrate  100 , a first pressure sensor array  200 , and a second pressure sensor  300 . 
     The substrate  100  may include a terminal unit  110  and wirings tL 1  to tLn, vLa, and vLb. For example, the substrate  100  may include glass, plastic, an organic material, and silicon. For example, the substrate  100  may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and/or a flexible printed circuit board (F-PCB). 
     The terminal unit  110  may include a plurality of terminals ‘Tm’ for outputting a signal to the outside. The plurality of terminals Tm may be exposed to the outside, and may be subjected to surface treatment such as plating to prevent discoloration or surface oxidation. The wirings tL 1  to tLn, vLa, and vLb may extend in a first direction D 1 . The wirings tL 1  to tLn, vLa, and vLb form a path for transferring output signals from first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  and second pressure sensors  300   a  and  300   b  to the terminal unit  110 . The terminal unit  110  may be provided on one side of a first surface of the substrate  100 . 
     The first pressure sensor array  200  may be provided on the substrate  100 . The first pressure sensor array  200  may include the plurality of first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n . The number of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may be ‘n’. Here, ‘n’ is any natural number. Each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may extend in a second direction D 2  different from the first direction D 1 . For example, the first direction D 1  and the second direction D 2  may be perpendicular to each other. The first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other on the first surface of the substrate  100  in the first direction D 1 . A distance between two adjacent pressure sensors among the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may be uniform. As an example, each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a width of 10 mm. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Accordingly, a width at which each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  is spaced apart may be different from one another. 
     Each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may have a first width w 1  in the first direction D 1  and a second width w 2  in the second direction D 2 . For example, the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may have the same first width w 1  and the same second width w 2 . Accordingly, each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may have the same area. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may have the different first width w 1  and/or the different second width w 2 . For example, as the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  close to one side of the first surface of the substrate  100  along the first direction D 1 , the first width w 1  may increase and the second width w 2  may decrease. That is, the size of each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may be the same or different. For example, the size of each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may gradually increase or decrease in the first direction D 1 , and accordingly, each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may have a different size. 
     Each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may have a rectangular shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Accordingly, each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may be changed to a shape other than the rectangle. For example, each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may have any other shape such as a square shape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape, an oval shape, a triangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, or an irregular shape. 
     Each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may be electrically connected to each of the wirings tL 1  to tLn. For example, the first pressure sensor  210 _ 1  may be electrically connected to the wiring tL 1 . Although each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  is illustrated as being connected to one wiring, each of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may be connected to a pair of wirings. A connection relationship between the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  and the wirings tL 1  to tLn will be described in detail with reference to  FIG.  2   . 
     The at least one second pressure sensor  300  may be provided on the substrate  100 . For example, it is illustrated that two second pressure sensors  300   a  and  300   b  are provided on the substrate  100 . Each of the two second pressure sensors  300   a  and  300   b  may extend in the first direction D 1  and may be arranged along the second direction D 2  with the first pressure sensor array  200  interposed therebetween. 
     As an example, the one  300   a  of the second pressure sensors may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first pressure sensor array  200  in the second direction D 2 , and the other one  300   b  of the second pressure sensors may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first pressure sensor array  200  in a direction opposite to the second direction D 2 .  FIG.  1    illustrates that the two second pressure sensors  300   a  and  300   b  are provided on the substrate  100 , but the number and arrangement direction of the second pressure sensor  300  are not limited thereto. 
     Each of the second pressure sensors  300   a  and  300   b  may be electrically connected to each of the wirings vLa and vLb. For example, the one  300   a  of the second pressure sensors may be electrically connected to the wiring vLa, and the other one  300   b  of the second pressure sensors may be electrically connected to the wiring vLb. Although each of the second pressure sensors  300   a  and  300   b  is illustrated as being connected to one wiring, each of the second pressure sensors  300   a  and  300   b  may be connected to a pair of wirings. 
     The shape of the second pressure sensor  300  may be the same as that of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n . Accordingly, the second pressure sensor  300  may have a rectangular shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The shape of the second pressure sensor  300  may be different from that of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n . In addition, a shape of the second pressure sensor  300  may have any other shape, such as a square shape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape, an oval shape, a triangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, or an irregular shape. 
     The first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  and the second pressure sensor  300  may sense an external stimulus and may generate a sensing signal based on the sensed external stimulus. For example, the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  and the second pressure sensor  300  may be implemented with a piezoelectric device that senses a pressure in a specific direction and generates a sensing signal proportional to the sensed pressure. 
     Although not illustrated, the electronic device  10  may communicate with an external device by wiredly and/or wirelessly. In detail, the electronic device  10  may include a communication unit (not illustrated) or an interface (not illustrated) for communication. 
     The communication unit or the interface for communication may perform communication based on at least one of various wireless communication methods, such as an LTE (Long Term Evolution), a WiMax, a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), a Bluetooth, an NFC (Near Field Communication), a Wi-Fi, and an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification), or at least one of various wired communication methods, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a SATA (Serial AT Attachment), an SCSI (Small Computer Small Interface), a Firewire, and a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnection). 
       FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device taken along a line A-A′ of  FIG.  1   . Referring to  FIG.  2    together with  FIG.  1   , the first pressure sensor  210 _ 1  may include a first electrode  211 _ 1 , a piezoelectric polymer layer  212 _ 1 , and a second electrode  213 _ 1 . The first electrode  211 _ 1 , the piezoelectric polymer layer  212 _ 1 , and the second electrode  213 _ 1  may be disposed on the substrate  100  along a third direction D 3  perpendicular to the first and second directions D 1  and D 2 . 
     The first electrode  211 _ 1  may be disposed on the substrate  100 . However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the first electrode  211 _ 1  may be included in the substrate  100 . The piezoelectric polymer layer  212 _ 1  may be disposed on the first electrode  211 _ 1 . The second electrode  213 _ 1  may be disposed on the piezoelectric polymer layer  212 _ 1 . 
     Although not illustrated, the first pressure sensor  210 _ 1  may further include an insulating layer (not illustrated). The insulating layer (not illustrated) may insulate the second electrode  213 _ 1  from the first electrode  211 _ 1 . For example, the insulating layer (not illustrated) may be provided between the first electrode  211 _ 1  and the piezoelectric polymer layer  212 _ 1 . As another example, the insulating layer (not illustrated) may be provided between the second electrode  213 _ 1  and the piezoelectric polymer layer  212 _ 1 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the piezoelectric polymer layer  212 _ 1  may include at least one of epoxy, silicone rubber, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyurethane, polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS), polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF), poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)), PZT, PLZT, PZN-PT, PMN-PT, PIN-PT, PZN-PNN-PZT, BNT, AlN, ZnO, and KNN. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the thickness of the piezoelectric polymer layer  212 _ 1  may be 0.1 to 1000 μm. Although  FIG.  2    illustrates that the piezoelectric polymer layer  212 _ 1  is formed as a single layer, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the piezoelectric polymer layer  212 _ 1  may be stacked in two or more layers. 
     The wiring tL 1  (refer to  FIG.  1   ) may include a pair of wirings. In this case, the one of the pair of wirings (e.g., tL 1  of  FIG.  1   ) may be connected to the first electrode  211 _ 1  of the first pressure sensor  210 _ 1 , and the other one may be connected to the second electrode  213 _ 1  of the first pressure sensor  210 _ 1 . Although not illustrated, the substrate  100  may include additional wiring (not illustrated). The additional wiring (not illustrated) may be electrically connected to the first pressure sensor  210 _ 1 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates only one (i.e., the first pressure sensor  210 _ 1 ) of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n , but each of the remaining first pressure sensors  210 _ 2  to  210 _ n  may have a structure similar to that of the first pressure sensor  210 _ 1  illustrated in  FIG.  2   . Also, the second pressure sensor  300  may have a structure similar to that of the first pressure sensor  210 _ 1  illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
       FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device  10  may further include a third pressure sensor array  400 . The arrangement, connection relationship, and function of the substrate  100 , the first pressure sensor array  200 , and the second pressure sensor  300  are similar to those described with reference to  FIG.  1   , and thus additional descriptions thereof will be omitted to avoid redundancy. 
     The third pressure sensor array  400  may be provided on the substrate  100 . The third pressure sensor array  400  may include a third pressure sensor  410 _ 1 . The third pressure sensor array  400  may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first pressure sensor array  200  along the first direction D 1  on the substrate  100 . 
     For example, it is illustrated that the one third pressure sensor  410 _ 1  is provided on the substrate  100 . However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The third pressure sensor array  400  may include a plurality of third pressure sensors. 
     In this case, the plurality of third pressure sensors may be arranged to be spaced apart from one another in the first direction D 1 . A width at which each of the plurality of third pressure sensors is spaced apart may be uniform. Each of the plurality of third pressure sensors may have the same size. Each of the plurality of third pressure sensors may have a rectangular shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Accordingly, a size of the width at which each of the plurality of third pressure sensors is spaced apart from one another and a size and shape of each of the plurality of third pressure sensors may be different from one another. 
     A wiring bL 1  may form a path for transferring an output signal from the third pressure sensor  410 _ 1  to the terminal unit  110 . The third pressure sensor  410 _ 1  may be electrically connected to the wiring bL 1 . Although the third pressure sensor  410 _ 1  is illustrated as being connected to one wiring, each of the third pressure sensors  410 _ 1  may be connected to a pair of wirings. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3    together with  FIG.  2   , the third pressure sensor  410 _ 1  may have a structure similar to that of the first pressure sensor  210 _ 1  illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the substrate  100  may further include a laryngeal attachment region  130 . The laryngeal attachment region  130  may be a region between the first pressure sensor array  200  and the third pressure sensor array  400  on the first surface of the substrate  100 . According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first pressure sensor array  200  may be disposed to be spaced apart from the laryngeal attachment region  130  by 0 to 5 cm. 
     A center of the laryngeal attachment region  130  may be spaced apart from the center of the first pressure sensor  210 _ 1  by a first distance L 1 . For example, the first distance L 1  may be 10 mm. The center of the laryngeal attachment region  130  may be spaced apart from the center of the first pressure sensor  210 _ 3  by a second distance L 2 . For example, the second distance L 2  may be 20 mm. The center of the laryngeal attachment region  130  may be spaced apart from the center of the first pressure sensor  210 _ 5  by a third distance L 3 . For example, the third distance L 3  may be 30 mm. 
       FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Contents that overlap with those described in  FIGS.  1  to  3    will be omitted to avoid redundancy. Along with  FIGS.  1  to  3    and referring to  FIG.  4   , the first pressure sensor array  200 , the second pressure sensor  300 , and the third pressure sensor array  400  may be disposed on the first surface of the substrate  100 . The first pressure sensor array  200  may include the six first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ 6 . The third pressure sensor array  400  may include the one third pressure sensor  410 _ 1 . 
     The first pressure sensor array  200  may sense a movement of the larynx of the user. The first pressure sensor array  200  may include the plurality of first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ 6  arranged along the direction of the larynx (e.g., the first direction D 1 ) to sense a pressure change that occurs when the larynx passes through a specific position. Each of the plurality of first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ 6  may output an electrical signal corresponding to the sensed pressure change. 
     The second pressure sensor  300  may sense a user&#39;s voice. The second pressure sensor  300  may sense a vibration of the skin of the neck caused by the user&#39;s voice or a specific situation (e.g., coughing, sneezing, etc.). That is, the second pressure sensor  300  may sense a pressure change that occurs when the skin of the neck is vibrated. Since the second pressure sensor  300  senses the user&#39;s voice using the vibration, noise caused by external noise may not occur in an output of the second pressure sensor  300 . In addition, even if the volume of the user&#39;s voice is small due to a specific situation (e.g., a situation in which the user wears a mask), the second pressure sensor  300  may accurately sense the voice or the like. The second pressure sensor  300  may output the electrical signal corresponding to the sensed pressure change. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second pressure sensor  300  may sense a frequency of 50 to 3000 Hz. 
     The third pressure sensor array  400  may sense a movement of the cricoid cartilage of the user. The third pressure sensor array  400  may sense a pressure change that occurs when the cricoid cartilage passes through a specific position. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third pressure sensor array  400  may include the third pressure sensor  410 _ 1 . The third pressure sensor  410 _ 1  may output the electrical signal corresponding to the sensed pressure change. 
     The electronic device  10  may output electrical signals from the plurality of first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ 6 , the second pressure sensor  300 , and the third pressure sensor  410 _ 1 . The electrical signals are simultaneously monitored, such that a user&#39;s voice and a user&#39;s laryngeal disorder may be managed or diagnosed in real time. 
       FIG.  5    is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which an electronic device of  FIG.  4    is attached to a user&#39;s neck skin. Contents that overlap with those described in  FIGS.  1  to  4    will be omitted to avoid redundancy. Referring to  FIG.  5   , together with  FIG.  4   , the first pressure sensor array  200  may be attached to the skin of the neck corresponding to a larynx  1  of the user. The first pressure sensor array  200  may sense a movement of the larynx  1  caused by a specific situation (e.g., swallowing saliva, swallowing water, etc.) through a pressure change on the skin of the neck. 
       FIGS.  6 A to  6 B  are graphs illustrating an operation of a second pressure sensor, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIGS.  6 A to  6 B , together with  FIGS.  1  to  5   , an x-axis represents a time, and a y-axis represents a level of an output voltage of the second pressure sensor  300 . In this case, the level of the output voltage of the second pressure sensor  300  may correspond to a voltage level of an electrical signal output by the second pressure sensor  300 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  6 A , a first normal voice period VN 1  and a second normal voice period VN 2  are time periods when the user wearing the electronic device  10  utters an example sentence with a voice in a normal state. In this case, the example sentence in the first normal voice period VN 1  is “Open the door”, and the example sentence in the second normal voice period VN 2  is “Close the door”. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6 B , a first abnormal voice period VA 1  and a second abnormal voice period VA 2  are time periods when the user wearing the electronic device  10  utters an example sentence with a voice in an abnormal state (e.g., a state in which the voice is hoarse). In this case, the example sentence in the first abnormal voice period VA 1  is “Open the door”, and the example sentence in the second abnormal voice period VA 2  is “Close the door”. 
     The first normal voice period VN 1  and the first abnormal voice period VA 1  correspond to each other, and the second normal voice period VN 2  and the second abnormal voice period VA 2  correspond to each other. The waveforms in the first normal voice period VN 1  and the first abnormal voice period VA 1  represent that a change between the output voltages occurs at the same or similar time points. However, the amplitude of the waveform in the first abnormal voice period VA 1  is relatively small compared to the amplitude of the waveform in the first normal voice period VN 1 . As in the above description, the waveforms in the second normal voice period VN 2  and the second abnormal voice period VA 2  represent that a change between the output voltages occurs at the same or similar time points. However, the amplitude of the waveform in the second abnormal voice period VA 2  is relatively small compared to the amplitude of the waveform in the second normal voice period VN 2 . Accordingly, the user&#39;s voice disorder may be determined by monitoring the waveforms in each time period. 
       FIG.  7    is a graph illustrating an operation of a second pressure sensor, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  7   , together with  FIGS.  1  to  5   , an x-axis represents a time, and a y-axis represents a level of an output voltage of the second pressure sensor  300 . In this case, a level of the output voltage of the second pressure sensor  300  may correspond to the voltage level of the electrical signal output from the second pressure sensor  300  when the user wearing the electronic device  10  coughs. When the user coughs, the second pressure sensor  300  may momentarily output an electrical signal having a large voltage level. 
       FIGS.  8 A to  8 B  are graphs illustrating an operation of a first pressure sensor array, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to  FIGS.  8 A to  8 B , together with  FIG.  3   , an x-axis represents a time, and a y-axis represents a level of the output voltage of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1 ,  210 _ 3 , and  210 _ 5 . In this case, levels of the output voltages of the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1 ,  210 _ 3 , and  210 _ 5  may correspond to voltage levels of the electric signals output from the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1 ,  210 _ 3 , and  210 _ 5 , respectively. 
     The first pressure sensor array  200  may include the ‘n’ first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n . The ‘n’ first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may correspond to first to n-th channels of the first pressure sensor array  200 , respectively. For example, the first pressure sensor  210 _ 3  may correspond to the third channel of the first pressure sensor array  200 . For convenience of description, output voltage changes in the first channel, the third channel, and the fifth channel will be described below. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8 A , a user wearing the electronic device  10  may perform a saliva swallowing operation. In this case, the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may sense a movement of the larynx by a saliva swallowing operation. That is, the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may output an electrical signal corresponding to a pressure change depending on the movement of the larynx. 
     A first period I 1  is a time period corresponding to a laryngeal raising operation, and a second period I 2  is a time period corresponding to a laryngeal falling operation. In the first period I 1  and the second period I 2 , the first channel disposed closest to the laryngeal attachment region  130  may first sense the movement of the larynx to output an electrical signal G 1 . In turn, the third channel may output an electrical signal G 3  by sensing the movement of the larynx. However, referring to a waveform of an electrical signal G 5 , the fifth channel disposed relatively far from the laryngeal attachment region  130  hardly senses the vertical movement of the larynx due to the saliva swallowing operation. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8 B , a user wearing the electronic device  10  may perform a water swallowing operation. In this case, the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ 6  may sense the movement of the larynx by the water swallowing operation. That is, the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  may output an electrical signal corresponding to a pressure change depending on the movement of the larynx. 
     A third period I 3  is a time period corresponding to a laryngeal raising operation, and a fourth period I 4  is a time period corresponding to a laryngeal falling operation. In the third period I 3  and the fourth period I 4 , the first channel disposed closest to the laryngeal attachment region  130  may first sense the movement of the larynx to output the electrical signal G 1 . In turn, the third channel and the fifth channel may output electrical signals G 3  and G 5  by sensing the movement of the larynx. Since the vertical movement of the larynx is larger in the water swallowing operation in  FIG.  8 B  compared to the saliva swallowing operation in  FIG.  8 A , the fifth channel may also sense the movement of the larynx. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8 A to  8 B , the position of the larynx may be monitored using the time of change of the output voltages generated in the first to fourth periods I 1  to I 4 , and the rising and falling speeds of the larynx may be calculated. A user&#39;s dysphagia may be determined using the position of the larynx and the rising and fall speeds of the larynx. 
       FIGS.  9 A to  9 B  are graphs illustrating an operations of a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor in the same time period, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIGS.  9 A to  9 B , together with  FIG.  4   , an x-axis represents a time, and a y-axis represents a level of the output voltage of the first pressure sensor  210 _ 4  and a level of the output voltage of the second pressure sensor  300   a . In this case, a level of an output voltage of the first pressure sensor  210 _ 4  may be a voltage level of an electrical signal G 4  output from the first pressure sensor  210 _ 4 , and a level of an output voltage of the second pressure sensor  300   a  may be a voltage level of an electrical signal Ga output from the second pressure sensor  300   a . For convenience of description, although illustrated in relation to the operations of the first pressure sensor  210 _ 4  and the second pressure sensor  300   a , the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, operations of the remaining first pressure sensors  210 _ 1 ,  210 _ 2 ,  210 _ 3 ,  210 _ 5 , and  210 _ 6  and the remaining second pressure sensor  300   b  may be similar to the operations of the first pressure sensor  210 _ 4  and the second pressure sensor  300   a.    
     Referring to  FIGS.  9 A to  9 B , first to third voice periods IV 1  to IV 3  are time periods when a user wearing the electronic device  10  utters an example sentence with a voice. In this case, the example sentence in the first voice period IV 1  and the third voice period IV 3  is “Open the door”, and the example sentence in the second voice period IV 2  is “Close the door”. First to fourth swallowing periods IS 1  to IS 4  are time periods corresponding to movements of the larynx when the user wearing the electronic device  10  performs a swallowing operation. 
     In the first to third voice periods IV 1  to IV 3 , the second pressure sensor  300   a  may sense the user&#39;s voice and may output the electrical signal Ga. In contrast, in the first to third voice periods IV 1  to IV 3 , it may be seen that the waveform of the electric signal G 4  output from the first pressure sensor  210 _ 4  has no change compared to the waveform of the electric signal Ga. That is, even if the user wearing the electronic device  10  makes a voice, this may not affect functions of the second pressure sensor  210 _ 4  sensing the user&#39;s swallowing operation. 
     In addition, in the first to fourth swallowing periods IS 1  to IS 4 , the first pressure sensor  210 _ 4  may sense the user&#39;s laryngeal movement and may output the electrical signal G 4 . In contrast, in the first to fourth swallowing periods IS 1  to IS 4 , it may be seen that the waveform of the electric signal Ga output from the second pressure sensor  300   a  has no change compared to the waveform of the electric signal G 4 . That is, even if the user wearing the electronic device  10  performs the swallowing operation, this may not affect functions of the first pressure sensor  300   a  sensing the user&#39;s voice. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9 A to  9 B , together with  FIGS.  1  and  4   , the operation of sensing the movement of the user&#39;s larynx by the first pressure sensor  210 _ 4  and the operation of sensing the user&#39;s voice by the second pressure sensor  300   a  may be performed without an interference with each other. Since this is only an example, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and all the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  and all the second pressure sensors  300   a  and  300   b  of the electronic device  10  may also operate without mutual interference. Since the first pressure sensors  210 _ 1  to  210 _ n  and the second pressure sensors  300   a  and  300   b  of the electronic device  10  may operate without interference with one another, the user&#39;s voice and laryngeal disorders may be simultaneously monitored through the electronic device  10 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the voice and laryngeal disorders of a user equipped with an electronic device may be simultaneously monitored. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by using a soft material with respect to the substrate and the pressure sensor, it is possible to improve the wearing comfort of the user who attaches the electronic device. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since a user&#39;s voice is sensed using a pressure sensor, accurate detection is possible regardless of external environments such as surrounding noise. 
     The above description refers to embodiments for implementing the present disclosure. Embodiments in which a design is changed simply or which are easily changed may be included in the present disclosure as well as an embodiment described above. In addition, technologies that are easily changed and implemented by using the above embodiments may be included in the present disclosure. While the present disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the following claims.