Customizable embedded sensors via additive manufacturing for monitoring in medical applications

Abstract

The research presented investigates a new method and design of embedded sensors for medical applications using an injected piezoresistive elastomer inside a structure built using Additive Manufacturing (AM) methods as the exemplary fabrication. The sensing element is embedded into specifically designed geometry for hollow cavities and voids. Depending on the geometry and applied loads it can be used to sense different types of physical loads like force and torque. This expands the design capabilities of health care practitioners for such devices by not just building a custom-shaped part, but having the ability to monitor their interaction with the human, and their own internal mechanical state. Some medical devices like ankle-foot orthoses or rehabilitation tools have function and efficacy which are dependent on comfortable surface contours that match the anatomy of the body. These contours are acquired using 3D scanning technology. Technical consideration has been given for how this technology can be implemented practically in existing vendor infrastructure and hardware systems for the most common AM plastics technologies available.