Biomedical applications actuators

Aggarwal, P., and C.R. Johnston. 2004. Geometrical effects in mechanical characterizing of microneedle for biomedical applications. Sens. Actuators B 102 226. 

The first application developed for smart hydrogels was somewhat mundane. They were used as a liner for golf shoes and in-line skates that takes the shape of the wearer s foot as the result of heat released by the foot, but researchers have envisioned a much broader and more significant number and variety of applications for such materials. Proposed applications include optical shutters actuators and sensors for chemical, heat, and electrical systems valves chemical memory systems fluid switches absorbents for chemical and petroleum spills diapers cosmetics and desalination systems. Thus far, however, the greatest interest has been in biomedical applications of hydrogels. 

However, to realize a practical and cost-effective system for biomedical applications, a microvalve system that will process human whole blood is essential. To date, most microvalve systems have been microfabricated from silicon, although valves using plastic membranes have also been developed. Chip-based microvalve systems have been classified as either active microvalves (with an actuator) or passive (check) microvalves (without an actuator). The miniaturization of the active microvalve systems is restricted by the size of the actuator. 

Lee G-B, Lin Y-H, Lin W-Y, Wang W, Guo T-F, (2009) Optically-induced dielectrophoresis using polymer materials for biomedical applications. In Proceedings international conference on solid-state sensors, actuators and microsystems, Transducers 09, Denver, CO, 21-25 June 2009, pp 2135-2138... 

Shahinpoor M, Kim KJ, Mojarrad M (2007) Artificial muscles applications of advanced polymeric nanocomposites. CRC Press Taylm Francis Group, Boca Raton Carpi F, Smela E (2009) Biomedical applications of electroactive polymer actuators. Wiley, Chichester... 

High flexibility, low drive voltage, and large bending deflection are definite advantages of IPMCs over other rigid piezoelectric ceramic materials. These characteristics make IPMC actuators and sensors very popular in various biomedical applications. 

Carpi F, Smela E (2009) Biomedical applications of electroactive polymer actuators. Wiley, United Kingdom... 

E. Smela, Conjugated polymer actuators for biomedical applications, Atfv. Mater., 15 (6), 481-494 (2003). 

Front Matter. In Biomedical Applications of Electroactive Polymer Actuators F. Carpi, E. Smela, Eds. John Wiley Sons, Ltd. Chichester, UK, 2009 pp. i-xx. 

E. Smela, Conjugated Polymer Actuators for Biomedical Applications. Adv. Mater. 2003,15,481-494. 

Bent-core liquid crystal elastomers have shown to exhibit large values of flexoelectricity as many as three orders of magnitude larger than liquid crystal elastomers containing rod-shaped molecules [44]. These high responses are attributed to a piezoelectric phenomenon. Liquid crystal elastomers combine elasticity and flexibility inherent to rubbers and the optical and electrical properties of liquid crystals, and are promising materials for applications such as electrooptics, flexible electronics, and actuator technologies for biomedical applications. 

Al-Hathouli AT, Kilani MI, Biittgenbach S (2010) Development of a novel electromagnetic piunp for biomedical applications. Sensor Actuat A 162 172-176... 

With biomedical applications in mind, this chapter reviews the important elements of the synthesis and processing of conducting polymers as well as their fabrication into devices. The key properties that make the use of ICPs in biomedical applications an attractive proposition are their electronic and electrochemical switching properties. These important features will be discussed with specific emphasis upon their use as sensors or as actuators from the biomolecular to the biomechanical levels. 

Because polypyrrole operates in aqueous electrolytes at room temperature, the largest niche for conjugated polymer microactuators is biomedical applications. Commercialization efforts are underway for blood vessel coimectors, a valve to prevent urinary incontinence, and a Braille display [25,122,133]. One area that requires further research is the temperature-dependence of actuator metrics, because for biomedical applications the devices must be operated at 37°C. In PPy(DBS) microactuators, strain increases from room temperature to body temperature by 45%, and they are 250% faster, but the blocked force drops [126]. 

Nisar, A., Afzulpurkar, N., Mahaisavariya, B. and Tuantranont, A. (2008). MEMS-based micropumps in drug delivery and biomedical applications. Sensors and Actuators B 130, pp. 917-942. 

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