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. 2016 Mar 4;16(3):332.
doi: 10.3390/s16030332.

Developing an Ear Prosthesis Fabricated in Polyvinylidene Fluoride by a 3D Printer with Sensory Intrinsic Properties of Pressure and Temperature

Ernesto Suaste-Gómez  1 , Grissel Rodríguez-Roldán  2 , Héctor Reyes-Cruz  3 , Omar Terán-Jiménez  4
Affiliations

Developing an Ear Prosthesis Fabricated in Polyvinylidene Fluoride by a 3D Printer with Sensory Intrinsic Properties of Pressure and Temperature

Ernesto Suaste-Gómez et al. Sensors (Basel). .

Abstract

An ear prosthesis was designed in 3D computer graphics software and fabricated using a 3D printing process of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) for use as a hearing aid. In addition, the prosthesis response to pressure and temperature was observed. Pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties of this ear prosthesis were investigated using an astable multivibrator circuit, as changes in PVDF permittivity were observed according to variations of pressure and temperature. The results show that this prosthesis is reliable for use under different conditions of pressure (0 Pa to 16,350 Pa) and temperature (2 °C to 90 °C). The experimental results show an almost linear and inversely proportional behavior between the stimuli of pressure and temperature with the frequency response. This 3D-printed ear prosthesis is a promising tool and has a great potentiality in the biomedical engineering field because of its ability to generate an electrical potential proportional to pressure and temperature, and it is the first time that such a device has been processed by the additive manufacturing process (3D printing). More work needs to be carried out to improve the performance, such as electrical stimulation of the nervous system, thereby extending the purpose of a prosthesis to the area of sensory perception.

Keywords: 3D printer; PVDF; pressure; prostheses; smart materials; temperature.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Diagram of the different stimuli applied to the PVDF prosthesis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Measuring of the ferroelectric hysteresis loop using the Sawyer-Tower circuit.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Example of pressure characterization.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Astable multivibrator circuit LM555 to register the changes of the temperature and pressure of the PVDF prosthesis.
Figure 5
Figure 5
(a) Human ear created with a 3D CAD program. (b) Ear prosthesis printed from PVDF.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Dimensions of the ear prosthesis printed from PVDF. (a) Top view of the prosthesis, (b) Side view of the prosthesis.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Printed PVDF hysteresis loop.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Response of the prosthesis of PVDF as a pressure sensor from 0 to 16,350 Pa.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Thermal response of prostheses made of PVDF from 2 °C to 90 °C.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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