Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
1.4
Pressure (mmHg) baseline 74
Pressure (mmHg) baseline 42
Pressure (mmHg) baseline 22
Pressure (mmHg) baseline 14
T 50 fatigue (min)
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
hick
platinum
hick
gold
Ver y
thick
platinum
2x thick
gold
3x thick
gold
hin
gold
FIGURE 9.45(b)
Pressure generation versus electrode thickness.
9.3.2
S
URGICAL
T
OOL
The IPMNC actuator can be adopted for use as a guide wire or a microcatheter in
biomedical applications for intracavity endoscopic surgery and diagnostics. Small internal
cavities in the body can be navigated by using small strip- or fiber-like IPMNC actuators.
9.3.3
P
ERISTALTIC
P
UMPS
Peristaltic pumps can be made from tubular sections of the membrane of an IPMNC
and placement of the electrodes in appropriate locations. Modulating the volume
trapped in the tube is possible by applying appropriate input voltage at the proper
frequency.
9.3.4
A
RTIFICIAL
S
MOOTH
M
USCLE
A
CTUATORS
Artificial smooth muscle actuators similar to biological smooth muscles can be made
by attaching several segments of tubular sections of IPMNC and employing a simple
control scheme to sequentially activate each segment to produce a traveling wave
of volume change in the combined tube sections. This motion can be used to transport
material or liquid contained in tube volume. The activation of each segment is similar
to the peristaltic pump described earlier. Artificial veins, arteries, and intestines made
with the IPMNCs can be fabricated and packaged in a variety of sizes depending
on the application. Figure 9.46 shows an artificial smooth muscle actuator that
mimics a human hand. It is made with an IPMNC.
