Title :
Arrays of pressure sensors based on organic field effect: A new perspective for non invasive monitoring
Author :
Cosseddu, Piero ; Bonfiglio, Annalisa ; Neelgund, Rohan ; Tyrer, Harry W.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. & Electron. Eng., Univ. of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
Abstract :
In this paper we propose totally flexible organic field effect transistors (OFETs) assembled on plastic films as sensors for mechanical variables. In the first part, mechanical sensors for pressure and bending detection are presented. A sharp and reversible sensitivity of the output current of the device to an elastic deformation induced by means of a mechanical stimulus on the device channel has been observed and suggested the idea of employing arrays of such sensors for detecting the deformation applied onto a planar surface. In the second part, the possibility of using similar devices for bio- and chemo-detection is described. By exploiting the properties of the basic structure, the device can be combined with any kind of substrate to detect for instance the pressure applied by people walking or standing on a functionalized carpet. This emerging technology seems to be promising for applications in the field of remote and non invasive monitoring of elderly and disabled people.
Keywords :
biomechanics; biomedical electronics; elastic deformation; flexible electronics; geriatrics; organic field effect transistors; patient monitoring; pressure sensors; sensor arrays; OFET assembly; bending detection; bio-detection; chemo-detection; device channel; disabled people; elastic deformation; elderly people; flexible organic field effect transistors; mechanical sensors; mechanical stimulus; noninvasive monitoring; planar surface; plastic film; pressure sensor array; remote monitoring; reversible sensitivity; Biosensing Techniques; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Manometry; Monitoring, Ambulatory; Organic Chemicals; Transducers; Transistors, Electronic;
Conference_Titel :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2009. EMBC 2009. Annual International Conference of the IEEE
Conference_Location :
Minneapolis, MN
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-3296-7
Electronic_ISBN :
1557-170X
DOI :
10.1109/IEMBS.2009.5333476