Biomimetic artificial sphincter muscles: status and challenges

Vanessa Leung; Elisa Fattorini; Maria Karapetkova; Bekim Osmani; Tino Töpper; Florian Weiss; Bert Müller

doi:10.1117/12.2219090

22 April 2016 Biomimetic artificial sphincter muscles: status and challenges

Vanessa Leung, Elisa Fattorini, Maria Karapetkova, Bekim Osmani, Tino Töpper, Florian Weiss, Bert Müller

Proceedings Volume 9797, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication 2016; 97970M (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2219090
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Abstract

Fecal incontinence is the involuntary loss of bowel content and affects more than 12% of the adult population, including 45% of retirement home residents. Severe fecal incontinence is often treated by implanting an artificial sphincter. Currently available implants, however, have long-term reoperation rates of 95% and definitive explantation rates of 40%. These statistics show that the implants fail to reproduce the capabilities of the natural sphincter and that the development of an adaptive, biologically inspired implant is required. Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA) are being developed as artificial muscles for a biomimetic sphincter, due to their suitable response time, reaction forces, and energy consumption. However, at present the operation voltage of DEAs is too high for artificial muscles implanted in the human body. To reduce the operating voltage to tens of volts, we are using microfabrication to reduce the thickness of the elastomer layer to the nanometer level. Two microfabrication methods are being investigated: molecular beam deposition and electrospray deposition. This communication covers the current status and a perspective on the way forward, including the long-term prospects of constructing a smart sphincter from low-voltage sensors and actuators based on nanometer-thin dielectric elastomer films. As DEA can also provide sensory feedback, a biomimetic sphincter can be designed in accordance with the geometrical and mechanical parameters of its natural counterpart. The availability of such technology will enable fast pressure adaption comparable to the natural feedback mechanism, so that tissue atrophy and erosion can be avoided while maintaining continence du ring daily activities.

Citation Download Citation

Vanessa Leung, Elisa Fattorini, Maria Karapetkova, Bekim Osmani, Tino Töpper, Florian Weiss, and Bert Müller "Biomimetic artificial sphincter muscles: status and challenges", Proc. SPIE 9797, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication 2016, 97970M (22 April 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2219090

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available