Silicone elastomeric-based materials of soft pneumatic actuator for lower-limb rehabilitation: Finite element modelling and prototype experimental validation

Bakeri, Hanisah and Hasikin, Khairunnisa and Abd Razak, Nasrul Anuar and Rizal, Mohd Razman and Khamis, Abd Alghani and Annuha, Muhammad Ammar and Tajuddin, Abbad and Reza, Darween (2023) Silicone elastomeric-based materials of soft pneumatic actuator for lower-limb rehabilitation: Finite element modelling and prototype experimental validation. Applied Sciences-Basel, 13 (5). ISSN 2076-3417, DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/app13052977.

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Abstract

This study describes the basic design, material selection, fabrication, and evaluation of soft pneumatic actuators (SPA) for lower-limb rehabilitation compression therapy. SPAs can be a promising technology in proactive pressure delivery, with a wide range of dosages for treating venous-related diseases. However, the most effective design and material selection of SPAs for dynamic pressure delivery have not been fully explored. Therefore, a SPA chamber with two elastomeric layers was developed for this study, with single-side inflation. The 3D deformation profiles of the SPA chamber using three different elastomeric rubbers were analyzed using the finite element method (FEM). The best SPA-compliant behavior was displayed by food-grade silicone A10 Shore with a maximum deformation value of 25.34 mm. Next, the SPA chamber was fabricated using A10 Shore silicone and experimentally validated. During the simulation in FEM, the air pressure was applied on the inner wall of the chamber (i.e., the affected area). This is to ensure the applied pressure was evenly distributed in the inner wall while the outer wall of the chamber remained undeformed for all compression levels. During the inflation process, pressure will be applied to the SPA chamber, causing exerted pressure on the skin which is then measured for comparison. The simulation and experimental results show an excellent agreement of pressure transmission on the skin for the pressure range of 0-120 mmHg, as depicted in the Bland-Altman plots. The findings exhibited promising results in the development of the SPA chamber using low-cost and biocompatible food-grade silicone.

Item Type: Article
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Compression therapy; Finite element modelling (FEM); Hyperelastic material; Soft pneumatic actuator (SPA); Lower limb; Silicone elastomer; Venous disease
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
R Medicine > R Medicine (General) > Medical technology
T Technology > T Technology (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering Department
Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science (formerly known as Centre for Sports & Exercise Sciences)
Depositing User: Ms Zaharah Ramly
Date Deposited: 15 Jul 2024 08:21
Last Modified: 15 Jul 2024 08:21
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/38484

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