DESIGNING SMART MEDICAL DEVICES WITH FORCE SENSING TECHNOLOGY

DESIGNING SMART MEDICAL DEVICES WITH FORCE SENSING TECHNOLOGY

Mark Lowe, MSME, MBA V.P. of Sensors, Tekscan

DESIGN CHALLENGES Are you struggling to create smaller, more portable and lightweight medical devices?

SIZE AND PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS Do you find it increasingly difficult to meet low power design requirements?

AGENDA Evolution of medical devices How FlexiForce sensors help create innovative medical devices Overcoming challenges of other force feedback technologies Applications

EVOLUTION OF MEDICAL DEVICES Pacemaker Early 50s vs Today

EVOLUTION OF MEDICAL DEVICES Insulin Pump Early 60s vs Today

EVOLUTION OF MEDICAL DEVICES Surgical Tools Late 1860s vs Today

HOW DO YOU GET THERE?

With FlexiForce Sensors!

WHAT ARE FLEXIFORCE SENSORS? Thin, Flexible, Printed Circuits

WHAT CAN A FLEXIFORCE SENSOR DO? Detect and measure a relative change in compressive force or applied load Detect and measure the rate of change in compressive force Identify compressive force thresholds and trigger appropriate action Detect contact and/or touch

FLEXIFORCE A GREAT FIT FOR MEDICAL DEVICES

EASILY CUSTOMIZABLE

CHALLENGES WITH OTHER FORCE MEASUREMENT SOLUTIONS Load Cell Strain Gauge MEMS Can be costly and complex to integrate due to size and electronic integration

COMPARISON OF FORCE MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGIES Important Sensor Elements Strain Gauges Load Cells MEMS FlexiForce Accuracy Low Cost Easily Integrated: Electronically Mechanically

OVERCOMING ELECTRICAL CHALLENGES Large dynamic range allows simpler electronics High impedance provides a low power solution ideal for battery powered portable devices

OVERCOMING MECHANICAL CHALLENGES Flexible Easy to integrate Thin, flexible, lightweight Custom shapes and sizes Paper Thin Force Sensing

OEM DEVELOPMENT KIT

APPLICATIONS Strength/Pain Assessment Surgical Devices Drug Delivery Prosthetics Orthopedic Activity Monitoring Insole Devices

MEDICAL DEVICES WITH FORCE FEEDBACK Quantify force response Monitor force thresholds Ensure consistency Ex: In physical therapy, the amount of force can vary up to 500% among practitioners*. Source: Jacuinde, G. & Tuttle, N."Design and Construction of a Novel Low-Cost Device to Provide Feedback on Manually Applied Forces," Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 41(3), March 2011.

MEASUREMENT OF FORCE ALLOWS Elimination of guesswork Increased consistency Improved outcomes + =

ROBOTIC SURGERY ENHANCED TACTILE FEEDBACK Haptic man-machine interface that provides tactile force feedback to surgeon Mimics sensation of force via sensor on surgical gripper

DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM Small, lightweight sensors detect blockages in the system Ensure the proper placement and pressure of drug delivery devices

ORTHOPEDICS Eliminate the need for guessing and checking Ensure proper balance within the joint Results in better datasupported adjustments minimizing further complications Orthopedic

PROSTHETICS Sensors give patients a sense of touch which allows for better control when picking up objects Gives indication of how much force they are exerting in their grasp Patients can adjust grip on the fly in order to manipulate grip or handle delicate objects Prosthetic hand designed by Advanced Platform Tech. Center at Cleveland VA

INSOLE DEVICES Monitor movement, balance, and activity Assess problems with balance and monitor treatment progress

AGING POPULATION By 2050, US population of 65+ projected to be 83.7 million* *US Census Bureau

ACTIVITY MONITORING Devices with force feedback technology can: Monitor a person s daily routine Provide notification to caregiver, physician if activities change

INSOLE DEVICES FOOT DROP SYSTEM APPLICATION Force sensor within the shoe relays wireless signals to leg cuff which stimulates muscles to create a more natural gait Triggers Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to help those affected by muscle and nerve damage to regain mobility Gait Analysis Device Photo Courtesy of Bioness Gait Analysis Device Photo Courtesy of Bioness

SET YOUR PRODUCT APART. MAKE IT SMART! FlexiForce sensors can help your product be: Small / Non-intrusive Lightweight Low-powered Surgical Devices Drug Delivery Prosthetics Orthopedic Insole Devices

ABOUT TEKSCAN Tekscan manufactures tactile pressure and force measurement sensors Our technology is found in thousands of applications, primarily in the following markets: Embedded Sensing Test & Measurement Medical Dental We are ISO 9001 and 13485 certified Dedicated team of engineers eager to help make your project a success

MEDICAL WHITEPAPER www.tekscan.com/fleximed

QUESTIONS? Visit us in booth #915. Enter for a chance to win a free OEM Development Kit!