Likitlersuang Jirapat, Leineweber Matthew J, Andrysek Jan
Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Med Eng Phys. 2017 Oct;48:206-211. doi: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2017.06.017. Epub 2017 Jul 6.
Thin film force sensors are commonly used within biomechanical systems, and at the interface of the human body and medical and non-medical devices. However, limited information is available about their performance in such applications. The aims of this study were to evaluate and determine ways to improve the performance of thin film (FlexiForce) sensors at the body/device interface. Using a custom apparatus designed to load the sensors under simulated body/device conditions, two aspects were explored relating to sensor calibration and application. The findings revealed accuracy errors of 23.3±17.6% for force measurements at the body/device interface with conventional techniques of sensor calibration and application. Applying a thin rigid disc between the sensor and human body and calibrating the sensor using compliant surfaces was found to substantially reduce measurement errors to 2.9±2.0%. The use of alternative calibration and application procedures is recommended to gain acceptable measurement performance from thin film force sensors in body/device applications.
薄膜力传感器常用于生物力学系统以及人体与医疗和非医疗设备的界面处。然而，关于它们在这类应用中的性能，可用信息有限。本研究的目的是评估并确定改善薄膜（FlexiForce）传感器在人体/设备界面处性能的方法。使用一个定制装置，旨在在模拟的人体/设备条件下对传感器进行加载，探讨了与传感器校准和应用相关的两个方面。研究结果表明，采用传统的传感器校准和应用技术时，在人体/设备界面处进行力测量的精度误差为23.3±17.6%。发现在传感器与人体之间应用一个薄刚性圆盘，并使用柔性表面对传感器进行校准，可将测量误差大幅降低至2.9±2.0%。建议采用替代的校准和应用程序，以便在人体/设备应用中从薄膜力传感器获得可接受的测量性能。
