Flexible electrically conductive nanotube sensor for elastomeric devices
First Claim
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1. An elastic piezoresistive sensor tube configured to sense a dimensional change during a medical procedure, the elastic piezoresistive sensor tube comprising:
- an elastic sensor tube body containing conductive nanotubes substantially homogeneously distributed within an interior of at least a portion of the elastic sensor tube body to form a conductive path, the elastic sensor tube body defining an internal conduit configured to transport fluid between a first end and a second end; and
at least two electrodes in electrical connection with the conductive path;
wherein the dimensional change is at least one of a stress in the elastic sensor tube body, a pressure applied to the elastic sensor tube body, an elongation of the elastic sensor tube body, and a load applied to the elastic sensor tube body.
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Abstract
A flexible substrate has a major surface and a sensor attached to and aligned with the major surface of the substrate. The sensor may have an elastic body containing conductive nanotubes homogeneously distributed therein to form a conductive path and at least two electrodes in electrical connection with the conductive path. Balloons and flexible elements used in medical procedures are particularly useful.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An elastic piezoresistive sensor tube configured to sense a dimensional change during a medical procedure, the elastic piezoresistive sensor tube comprising:
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an elastic sensor tube body containing conductive nanotubes substantially homogeneously distributed within an interior of at least a portion of the elastic sensor tube body to form a conductive path, the elastic sensor tube body defining an internal conduit configured to transport fluid between a first end and a second end; and at least two electrodes in electrical connection with the conductive path; wherein the dimensional change is at least one of a stress in the elastic sensor tube body, a pressure applied to the elastic sensor tube body, an elongation of the elastic sensor tube body, and a load applied to the elastic sensor tube body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of detecting a dimensional change within an elastic tube used during a medical procedure, the method comprising:
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forming an elastic sensor tube body defining an internal conduit configured to transport fluid between a first end and a second end, the sensor tube body containing conductive nanotubes substantially homogeneously distributed within an interior of at least a portion of the elastic sensor tube body to form a conductive path between at least two electrodes; applying a current across the conductive path through the at least two electrodes; providing signals indicating changes in the current to a processor, wherein the processor executes a code to correlate the determined changes in the current to at least one of a stress in the elastic sensor tube body, a pressure applied to the elastic sensor tube body, an elongation of the elastic sensor tube body, and a load applied to the elastic sensor tube body. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A sensor, comprising:
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an elastic sensor tube body, comprising a non-conductive polymer defining an internal conduit configured to transport fluid between a first end and a second end, at least an interior portion of the elastic sensor tube body having a plurality of carbon nanotubes dispersed therein to form a conductive path; and at least two electrodes, operably coupled to the elastic sensor tube body and in electrical communication with the conductive path; wherein the sensor is configured to sense at least one of stress in the elastic sensor tube body, pressure applied to the elastic sensor tube body, an elongation of the elastic sensor tube body, and a load applied to the elastic sensor tube body. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification