DocumentCode :
3183650
Title :
Analysis of a dielectric EAP as smart component for a neonatal respiratory simulator
Author :
Tognarelli, S. ; Deri, Luca ; Cecchi, F. ; Scaramuzzo, R. ; Cuttano, A. ; Laschi, Cecilia ; Menciassi, A. ; Dario, P.
Author_Institution :
BioRobotics Inst., Scuola Superiore Sant´Anna, Pisa, Italy
fYear :
2013
fDate :
3-7 July 2013
Firstpage :
457
Lastpage :
460
Abstract :
Nowadays, respiratory syndrome represents the most common neonatal pathology. Nevertheless, being respiratory assistance in newborns a great challenge for neonatologists and nurses, use of simulation-based training is quickly becoming a valid meaning of clinical education for an optimal therapy outcome. Commercially available simulators, are, however, not able to represent complex breathing patterns and to evaluate specific alterations. The purpose of this work has been to develop a smart, lightweight, compliant system with variable rigidity able to replicate the anatomical behavior of the neonatal lung, with the final aim to integrate such system into an innovative mechatronic simulator device. A smart material based-system has been proposed and validated: Dielectric Electro Active Polymers (DEAP), coupled to a purposely shaped silicone camera, has been investigated as active element for a compliance change simulator able to replicate both physiological and pathological lung properties. Two different tests have been performed by using a bi-components camera (silicone shape coupled to PolyPower film) both as an isolated system and connected to an infant ventilator. By means of a pressure sensor held on the silicon structure, pressure values have been collected and compared for active and passive PolyPower working configuration. The obtained results confirm a slight pressure decrease in active configuration, that is in agreement with the film stiffness reduction under activation and demonstrates the real potentiality of DEAP for active volume changing of the proposed system.
Keywords :
electroactive polymer actuators; intelligent materials; lung; mechatronics; paediatrics; physiological models; pneumodynamics; DEAP; Dielectric Electro Active Polymers; PolyPower film; active configuration; anatomical behavior; bi-components camera; clinical education; compliance change simulator; dielectric EAP analysis; film stiffness reduction; infant ventilator; innovative mechatronic simulator device; neonatal lung; neonatal respiratory simulator; optimal therapy; pathological lung properties; physiological lung properties; pressure sensor; respiratory syndrome; silicon structure; silicone camera; simulation-based training; smart component; smart material based-system; Cameras; Films; Lungs; Pediatrics; Plastics; Training;
fLanguage :
English
Publisher :
ieee
Conference_Titel :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2013 35th Annual International Conference of the IEEE
Conference_Location :
Osaka
ISSN :
1557-170X
Type :
conf
DOI :
10.1109/EMBC.2013.6609535
Filename :
6609535
Link To Document :
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