Electrically conductive nanotube composite sensor for medical application
First Claim
1. A method of sensing dimensional changes, stress changes or pressure changes on a substrate attached to body parts within a patient'"'"'s body comprising:
- temporarily and non-destructively attaching a piezoresistant sensor to a surface attached to a patient'"'"'s body, the piezoresistant sensor comprising an electrically conductive elastic body having at least one pair of opposed ends, and the elastic body consisting essentially of a single layer conductive nanotubes homogeneously distributed therein, the elastic body having at least one surface with two opposed ends and electrodes at each of the opposed ends of the single layer, passing a current through the elastic body between the two electrodes while within the patient'"'"'s body, sensing the current passing through the elastic body only through the single layer, performing a mechanical step on the substrate that causes stress, strain or elongation on the conductive elastic body while within the patient'"'"'s body, and measuring changes in the current between the electrodes on only the single layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor and method of sensing dimensional changes, stress changes or pressure changes on a substrate uses a sensor in the following manner. Temporarily and non-destructively attach a piezoresistant sensor to a surface. The piezoresistant sensor has an electrically conductive elastic body having at least one pair of opposed ends, and the elastic body contains conductive nanotubes homogeneously distributed therein. The elastic body has at least one surface with two opposed ends and electrodes at each of the opposed ends. A current is passed through the elastic body between the two electrodes. The current passing through the elastic body is sensed (e.g., a voltmeter). A mechanical step is performed with or on the substrate, and the sensor measures changes in the current between the electrodes, indicating strain or pressure on the sensor.
30 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of sensing dimensional changes, stress changes or pressure changes on a substrate attached to body parts within a patient'"'"'s body comprising:
- temporarily and non-destructively attaching a piezoresistant sensor to a surface attached to a patient'"'"'s body, the piezoresistant sensor comprising an electrically conductive elastic body having at least one pair of opposed ends, and the elastic body consisting essentially of a single layer conductive nanotubes homogeneously distributed therein, the elastic body having at least one surface with two opposed ends and electrodes at each of the opposed ends of the single layer, passing a current through the elastic body between the two electrodes while within the patient'"'"'s body, sensing the current passing through the elastic body only through the single layer, performing a mechanical step on the substrate that causes stress, strain or elongation on the conductive elastic body while within the patient'"'"'s body, and measuring changes in the current between the electrodes on only the single layer.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Specification