This paper reports a suitable piezoresistive carbon nanotube (CNT)/PVDF composite capable of measuring the interface pressure within prosthetic stump/sockets. The transducers were prepared by hot pressing with CNTs with sample… Click to show full abstract
This paper reports a suitable piezoresistive carbon nanotube (CNT)/PVDF composite capable of measuring the interface pressure within prosthetic stump/sockets. The transducers were prepared by hot pressing with CNTs with sample concentrations up to 10 wt.%. The sensibility (Gauge factor) of the composites was characterized using a mechanical testing equipment and the values reached 6.2. After the optimization of the materials, tests were conducted with a prototype placed in lower limb amputee patients, performing several standing and walking protocols. The prototype was tested in four lower limb amputees using a CNT concentration of 2 wt.% within the PVDF matrix. The transducers were fabricated with dimensions of
               
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