Biodegradable pressure sensor for health-care

Abstract

The subject of the present work is the design, the testing and the implementation of a biodegradable and biocompatible pressure sensor that can be swallowed or implanted in the human body. It has to be biodegradable, at least in part, biocompatible and small in the size. The biodegradable polymer used (Polycaprolactone, PCL) and the technique of printing gold (200-400 nm thick) on it have played a key role throughout the project. PCL was used both as substrate, on which all connections for discrete surface mount devices were printed, and for fabricating the pressure sensitive devices. A possible implementation for gastroenterology is presented. The final implementation fully satisfies the design specifications of biodegradability and biocompatibility, high operating frequency, high frequency sensitivity to changes in capacitance and size minimization.