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  4. Development and validation of a dielectric-elastomer-based artificial urinary sphincter
 
conference paper

Development and validation of a dielectric-elastomer-based artificial urinary sphincter

De Menech, Quentin  
•
Osorio Salazar, Andres  
•
Favier, Marc  
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Seelecke, Stefan S.
•
Skov, Anne Ladegaard
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2025
Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Electroactive Polymer Actuators, Sensors, and Devices

This study presents the development and experimental validation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) based on dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) for the treatment of urinary incontinence. Traditional AUS devices are often mechanically complex, prone to complications, and are primarily designed for male patients. DEAs, known for their flexibility and muscle-like actuation, present a promising alternative with lower mechanical complexity and potential applicability for both male and female patients. Previous studies have employed finite element analysis to simulate both the urethra's and DEA's mechanical behavior. In this paper, we developed an experimental setup to evaluate the performance of a tubular DEA-based AUS, designed with an active thickness of 200μm, a length of 40mm, and an internal radius of 2.5mm. The proposed experimental setup for testing the tubular DEA involved applying physiological pressures ranging from 0 to 16kPa to evaluate its actuation response. Experimental results showed the ability of the DEA to dynamically adjust the urethral closure under increasing bladder pressures, offering a controlled and adaptive opening with a diameter change of 1 mm at 16kPa for an electrical field of 70V/μm. In addition, DEA maintained structural integrity and consistent performance in repeated cycles.

  • Details
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Type
conference paper
DOI
10.1117/12.3050281
Scopus ID

2-s2.0-105009409614

Author(s)
De Menech, Quentin  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Osorio Salazar, Andres  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Favier, Marc  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Walter, Armando  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Germano, Paolo  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Civet, Yoan  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Perriard, Yves  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Editors
Seelecke, Stefan S.
•
Skov, Anne Ladegaard
•
Takagi, Kentaro
•
Madden, John D. W.
Date Issued

2025

Publisher

SPIE

Published in
Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
ISBN of the book

9781510686489

Book part number

13431

Article Number

134310S

Subjects

artificial muscles

•

artificial urinary sphincter

•

biomechanics

•

dielectric elastomer actuator

•

simulation

•

urinary incontinence

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
LAI  
Event nameEvent acronymEvent placeEvent date
Electroactive Polymer Actuators, Sensors, and Devices

Vancouver, Canada

2025-03-17 - 2025-03-21

FunderFunding(s)Grant NumberGrant URL

Werner Siemens-Stiftung

Available on Infoscience
July 14, 2025
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/252246
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