A Plantar Pressure Sensing System with Balancing Sensitivity Based on Tailored MWCNTs/PDMS Composites

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Plantar pressure measurement is crucial for gait analysis and diagnosing foot-related conditions.
• Existing sensors often lack the flexibility, durability, or cost-effectiveness for widespread daily use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate a novel flexible plantar pressure sensor with a simple structure for everyday applications.
• To characterize the performance of the sensor and validate its utility in real-world scenarios.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a piezoresistive composite using multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) dispersed in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix via a solution method.
• Development of a laminated sensor with eight sensing elements, utilizing a flexible printed circuit board as electrodes.
• Implementation of a signal processing system for converting resistance changes to voltage signals.

Main Results:

• The sensor exhibited a repeatable response with a sensitivity of 11.5 mV/kPa within a 265 kPa range.
• Experimental validation confirmed the sensor's capability to measure plantar pressure accurately.
• The sensor demonstrated potential for gait detection and disease diagnosis applications.

Conclusions:

• The developed flexible plantar pressure sensor offers a simple, accessible, and effective solution for continuous foot pressure monitoring.
• This technology holds promise for advancing personalized healthcare through improved gait analysis and early disease detection.