Proprioceptive sensing system for therapy assessment using cotton fabric-based biomedical microelectromechanical system

Abstract

Demands for better control of the operating conditions used in human motion tracking and medical applications have led to the need for better means of detecting different types of proprioceptive activity patterns. The purpose of this paper is to propose the development of a proprioceptive sensor for applications in medical system and therapy assessment using cotton fabric-based flexible microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). To demonstrate the application of this sensor, a system has been developed in order to detect different finger flexion movements on a finger joint. The procedure for the development of MEMS proprioceptive sensor fabricated using cotton fabric as the structural material is described. Cotton fabric is chosen as the structural material because it is inexpensive, simple to fabricate, readily available for mass production, lightweight, and conforms to any arbitrary surface. It is also sustainable and environmentally friendly. The fabric is stamped with varied volume of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) ink to generate different conductive pattern. The working principle of this textile-based sensor is based on piezoresistivity effect generated by the deposited AgNPs on the hierarchical structure of cotton fabric substrate. Based on this fact, this sensor can give sensing information about different finger flexure movements according to the resistance change of the AgNPs. This sensor can be used as a rehabilitation device, e.g., data glove or even a communication device for the disabled to control appliances.