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. 2021 Dec 29;22(1):231.
doi: 10.3390/s22010231.

Wearable E-Textile and CNT Sensor Wireless Measurement System for Real-Time Penile Erection Monitoring

Yongki Heo  1 , Jinhyung Kim  2 , Cheolung Cha  2 , Kyusik Shin  2 , Jihyoung Roh  3 , Jungki Jo  1
Affiliations

Wearable E-Textile and CNT Sensor Wireless Measurement System for Real-Time Penile Erection Monitoring

Yongki Heo et al. Sensors (Basel). .

Abstract

Erection measurements are the most important indicator of male urological disease diagnosis, treatment, and results. Rigiscan has been used widely in studies and diagnoses for nocturnal penile tumescence for evaluating erectile dysfunction by measuring the number and timing of erectile dysfunctions during sleep. However, this device has limitations such as the weight and bulk of the device and has been questioned for its role as a standard for ED Erectile Dysfunction (ED) diagnosis. In this study, we propose a real-time wearable monitoring system that can quantitatively measure the length and circumference of the penis using electronic textiles (E-textile) and carbon nanotube (CNT) sensors. The E-textile sensor is used to measure the length, circumference, and gradient with portability, convenience, and comfort. Sensors were created by coating CNTs on latex for flexibility. The CNT-based latex condom-type sensor in our proposed system shows the length, circumference, and curvature measurements with changes in resistance, and the E-textile performance shows a 1.44% error rate and a cavity radius of 110 to 300. The results of this conceptual study are for supplementary sensor development with a combination of new technologies with alternatives or existing methods for measuring erection function.

Keywords: CNT; E-textile; NPT; erectile dysfunction; wearable device.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
E-textile sensor fabrication process: (a) Carbon-based conductive particle fabrication. (b) Ink mixed with carbon solvents and dispersion stabilizers. (c) Fabrication of electrode and sensing parts.
Figure 2
Figure 2
E-textile characteristics: (a) Gauge ratio test with gauge factors; (b) Resistant fiber sensor appearance.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Diagram of the erection measurement sensor. CNT strip to measure length; CNT strip to measure thickness.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Encapsulation production process: (a) (1) CNT Mixture spray on latex. (2) Taping. (3) Latex spray coating. (4) Tape removal. (b) Erection measurement sensor structure diagram top and side views.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Resistant Fiber Sensor Read-out Wireless Communication Module: (a) Sensor module system block diagram (data transmission unit); (b) Communication module PCB design; (c) Read-out Wireless Communication Module.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The E-textile sensor measures the resistance change according to stretch rate: (a) Graph of resistance change according to elongation rate; (b) Measurement of resistance according to stretch rate; (c) Change in length from 100% to 200% at a fixed point; (d) Mock-up sample sensor measurement schematic diagram; (e) Mock-up samples produced according to size.
Figure 7
Figure 7
(a) Output data using a wireless sensor module. (b) Graph of comparison between measured and output resistance values. (c) An error graph of the output resistance value and the measured resistance value.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Changes in resistance according to changes in length: (a) Measurement of resistance change at 150% length change; (b) Measurement of resistance according to length of the CNT sensor; (c) CNT sensor-based measurement prototype configuration.
Figure 9
Figure 9
The rate of change in the lengths for the inside and outside surfaces according to change in curvature.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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