This paper develops a novel instrumented urethral catheter with an array of force sensors for measuring the distributed pressure in a human urethra. The catheter and integrated portions of the force sensors are fabricated by the use of 3D printing using a combination of both soft and hard polymer substrates. Other portions of the force sensors consisting of electrodes and electrolytes are fabricated separately and assembled on top of the 3D-printed catheter to create a soft flexible device. The force sensors use a novel supercapacitive (iontronic) sensing mechanism in which the contact area between a pair of electrodes and a paper-based electrolyte changes in response to force. This provides a highly sensitive measure of force that is immune to parasitic noise from liquids. The developed catheter is tested using a force calibration test rig, a cuff-based pressure application device, an extracted bladder and urethra from a sheep and by dipping inside a beaker of water. The force sensors are found to have a sensitivity of 30-50 nF/N, which is 1000 times larger than that of traditional capacitive force sensors. They exhibit negligible capacitance change when dipped completely in water. The pressure cuff tests and the extracted sheep tissue tests also verify the ability of the sensor array to work reliably in providing distributed force measurements. The developed catheter could help diagnose ailments related to urinary incontinence and inadequate urethral closure pressure.

中文翻译：

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带有分布式离子电子力传感器阵列的仪器化尿道导管。

本文开发了一种新型仪器化尿道导管，带有一系列力传感器，用于测量人体尿道中的分布压力。力传感器的导管和集成部分是通过使用软和硬聚合物基板的组合使用 3D 打印制造的。由电极和电解质组成的力传感器的其他部分分别制造并组装在 3D 打印导管的顶部，以创建一个柔软的柔性设备。力传感器使用一种新型的超级电容（离子电子）传感机制，其中一对电极和纸基电解质之间的接触面积响应力而变化。这提供了对来自液体的寄生噪声免疫的高度灵敏的力测量。开发的导管使用力校准测试台进行测试，基于袖带的压力施加装置，从绵羊身上提取膀胱和尿道，并浸入烧杯中的水。发现力传感器的灵敏度为 30-50 nF/N，是传统电容力传感器的 1000 倍。当完全浸入水中时，它们的电容变化可以忽略不计。压力袖带测试和提取的绵羊组织测试还验证了传感器阵列在提供分布式力测量方面可靠工作的能力。开发的导管可以帮助诊断与尿失禁和尿道闭合压力不足有关的疾病。比传统电容式力传感器大1000倍。当完全浸入水中时，它们的电容变化可以忽略不计。压力袖带测试和提取的绵羊组织测试还验证了传感器阵列在提供分布式力测量方面可靠工作的能力。开发的导管可以帮助诊断与尿失禁和尿道闭合压力不足有关的疾病。比传统电容式力传感器大1000倍。当完全浸入水中时，它们的电容变化可以忽略不计。压力袖带测试和提取的绵羊组织测试还验证了传感器阵列在提供分布式力测量方面可靠工作的能力。开发的导管可以帮助诊断与尿失禁和尿道闭合压力不足有关的疾病。