Novel planar sensor using stretchable vapor phased polymerized PEDOT/PDMS film

Abstract

An implantable capacitive pressure sensor enables continuous and long-term intraocular pressure mon- itoring (IOP) for glaucoma patients. In this paper, a new stretchable conductive film-based capacitive sensor was designed as a proof of concept to show how this technology could be used for IOP measure- ments. This capacitive sensor used a planar structure and could be miniaturised further. A mathemat- ical model of the structural mechanics and capacitance of the proposed capacitive sensor was presented. Simulations are carried out to verify the mechanical and electrical properties of the proposed capacitive sensor. The paper also detailed the novel fabrication process that was used to develop prototypes of the proposed sensor. After the prototype had been built, the viability of the proposed design and the accuracy of simulation results were verified experimentally. Moreover, the reproducibility, repeatability and fabrication consistency of the sensor was also experimentally analysed.