This article is part of a series on Wearable Technology in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, edited by Paolo Bonato.

Research

Initial development and testing of a novel foam-based pressure sensor for wearable sensing

Lucy E Dunne¹ , Sarah Brady² , Barry Smyth¹ and Dermot Diamond²

¹  Adaptive Information Cluster, Department of Computer Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

²  Adaptive Information Cluster, National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland

author email corresponding author email

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 2005, 2:4doi:10.1186/1743-0003-2-4

Published:	1 March 2005

Abstract

Background

This paper provides an overview of initial research conducted in the development of pressure-sensitive foam and its application in wearable sensing. The foam sensor is composed of polypyrrole-coated polyurethane foam, which exhibits a piezo-resistive reaction when exposed to electrical current. The use of this polymer-coated foam is attractive for wearable sensing due to the sensor's retention of desirable mechanical properties similar to those exhibited by textile structures.

Methods

The development of the foam sensor is described, as well as the development of a prototype sensing garment with sensors in several areas on the torso to measure breathing, shoulder movement, neck movement, and scapula pressure. Sensor properties were characterized, and data from pilot tests was examined visually.

Results

The foam exhibits a positive linear conductance response to increased pressure. Torso tests show that it responds in a predictable and measurable manner to breathing, shoulder movement, neck movement, and scapula pressure.

Conclusion

The polypyrrole foam shows considerable promise as a sensor for medical, wearable, and ubiquitous computing applications. Further investigation of the foam's consistency of response, durability over time, and specificity of response is necessary.