A Polypyrrole-based Strain Sensor Dedicated to Measure Bladder Volume in Patients with Urinary Dysfunction.

Sumitra Rajagopalan,Ebrahim Ghafar-Zadeh,Vamsy Chodavarapu,Oumarou Savadogo,Mohamad Sawan

doi:10.3390/s8085081

Sumitra Rajagopalan, Ebrahim Ghafar-Zadeh + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/s8085081

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Abstract

This paper describes a new technique to measure urine volume in patients with urinary bladder dysfunction. Polypyrrole – an electronically conducting polymer - is chemically deposited on a highly elastic fabric. This fabric, when placed around a phantom bladder, produced a reproducible change in electrical resistance on stretching. The resistance response to stretching is linear in 20%-40% strain variation. This change in resistance is influenced by chemical fabrication conditions. We also demonstrate the dynamic mechanical testing of the patterned polypyrrole on fabric in order to show the feasibility of passive interrogation of the strain sensor for biomedical sensing applications.

Highlights

Urinary bladder dysfunction continues to afflict millions worldwide
Urinary bladder dysfunction leads to loss of voluntary control over the bladder muscles, and cuts off sensorial feedback to the central nervous system [1]
Results presented by Koldewin et al [9] demonstrate the possibility of using conventional strain gauges to measure pressure among the various placements of strain sensors, sensors that were placed between the peritoneum and muscular layer gave the best results

Summary

Introduction

Often the result of devastating medical conditions is such as spinal cord injury, stroke and Parkinson’s disease. Urinary bladder dysfunction leads to loss of voluntary control over the bladder muscles, and cuts off sensorial feedback to the central nervous system [1]. This leaves patients incapable of sensing bladder fullness and gauging the right moment to trigger bladder voiding. Stimulation of the sacral root at the base of the spine is considered the most efficient technique to produce micturition and has been prevalent in clinical practice over the last two decades, primarily for persons with spinal cord injury

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