Development of a triboelectrically powered intracranial pressure sensor and a brain phantom test rig

Abstract

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is crucial for diagnosing and treating neurological disorders. This master thesis focuses on developing a self-powered pressure sensor for wireless pressure monitoring inside the skull. The sensor design is based on triboelectric technology, aiming to overcome the limitations of conventional ICP sensors such as power supply requirements, complex fabrication, and mechanical inflexibility. The primary goal of this study is to explore the potential of triboelectric pressure sensors for monitoring ICP. A test rig and brain phantom are also constructed to simulate pressure variations of the actual brain in vitro. Triboelectric sensors convert mechanical pressure into electrical signals through electrostatic induction. First, the literature is reviewed on ICP and conventional invasive pressure sensors. Then, simulations of the modelled sensor are conducted by COMSOL software. Achieved results provide valuable insights into the implementation and feasibility of triboelectric pressure sensors for ICP monitoring. Additionally, the project successfully achieved the construction of a simplified brain phantom with a pressure-tight ventricle void. This was accomplished by casting silicone rubber into a 3D-printed mould, serving as the project’s secondary goal. In conclusion, this thesis presents extensive research on developing and evaluating triboelectric sensing mechanisms for ICP monitoring. The findings contribute to the advancement of less invasive pressure sensors, holding potential significance in neurology and healthcare.