01748nas a2200181 4500008004100000245010200041210006900143490000700212520117200219100001101391700001401402700001301416700001701429700001701446700001301463700001801476856007201494 2016 eng d00aA bioreactor with an electro-responsive elastomeric membrane for mimicking intestinal peristalsis0 abioreactor with an electroresponsive elastomeric membrane for mi0 v123 a
This study describes an actuated bioreactor which mimics the pulsatile contractile motion of the intestinal barrier using electro-responsive elastomers as smart materials that undergo deformation upon electrical stimulation. The device consists of an annular dielectric elastomer actuator working as a radial artificial muscle able to rhythmically contract and relax a central cell culture well. The bioreactor maintained up to 4 h of actuation at a frequency of 0.15 Hz and a strain of 8%–10%, to those of the cyclic contraction and relaxation of the small intestine. In vitro tests demonstrated that the device was biocompatible and cell-adhesive for Caco-2 cells, which formed a confluent monolayer following 21 days of culture in the central well. In addition, cellular adhesion and cohesion were maintained after 4 h of continuous cyclic strain. These preliminary results encourage further investigations on the use of dielectric elastomer actuation as a versatile technology that might overcome the limitations of commercially available pneumatic driving systems to obtain bioreactors that can cyclically deform cell cultures in a biomimetic fashion.
1 aCei, D1 aCosta, J.1 aGori, G.1 aFrediani, G.1 aDomenici, C.1 aCarpi, F1 aAhluwalia, A. uhttp://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-3190/12/1/016001/pdf02043nas a2200169 4500008004100000245009900041210006900140300001400209490000700223520143200230100001301662700001701675700001601692700001801708700001701726856013001743 2014 eng d00aEnabling variable-stiffness hand rehabilitation orthoses with dielectric elastomer transducers0 aEnabling variablestiffness hand rehabilitation orthoses with die a205–2110 v363 aPatients affected by motor disorders of the hand and having residual voluntary movements of fingers or wrist can benefit from self-rehabilitation exercises performed with so-called dynamic hand splints. These systems consist of orthoses equipped with elastic cords or springs, which either provide a sustained stretch or resist voluntary movements of fingers or wrist. These simple systems are limited by the impossibility of modulating the mechanical stiffness. This limitation does not allow for customizations and real-time control of the training exercise, which would improve the rehabilitation efficacy. To overcome this limitation, 'active' orthoses equipped with devices that allow for electrical control of the mechanical stiffness are needed. Here, we report on a solution that relies on compact and light-weight electroactive elastic transducers that replace the passive elastic components. We developed a variable-stiffness transducer made of dielectric elastomers, as the most performing types of electromechanically active polymers. The transducer was manufactured with a silicone film and tested with a purposely-developed stiffness control strategy that allowed for electrical modulations of the force-elongation response. Results showed that the proposed new technology is a promising and viable solution to develop electrically controllable dynamic hand orthoses for hand rehabilitation. ? 2013 IPEM.
1 aCarpi, F1 aFrediani, G.1 aGerboni, C.1 aGemignani, J.1 aDe Rossi, D. uhttps://www.centropiaggio.unipi.it/publications/enabling-variable-stiffness-hand-rehabilitation-orthoses-dielectric-elastomer01380nas a2200157 4500008004100000245008000041210006900121490000600190520088800196653001901084100001701103700001501120700001701135700001301152856005701165 2014 eng d00aWearable Wireless Tactile Display for Virtual Interactions with Soft Bodies0 aWearable Wireless Tactile Display for Virtual Interactions with 0 v23 aWe describe here a wearable, wireless, compact, and lightweight tactile display, able to mechanically stimulate the fingertip of users, so as to simulate contact with soft bodies in virtual environments. The device was based on dielectric elastomer actuators, as high-performance electromechanically active polymers. The actuator was arranged at the user’s fingertip, integrated within a plastic case, which also hosted a compact high-voltage circuitry. A custom-made wireless control unit was arranged on the forearm and connected to the display via low-voltage leads. We present the structure of the device and a characterization of it, in terms of electromechanical response and stress relaxation. Furthermore, we present results of a psychophysical test aimed at assessing the ability of the system to generate different levels of force that can be perceived by users.
10aBioengineering1 aFrediani, G.1 aMazzei, D.1 aDe Rossi, D.1 aCarpi, F uhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4150388/00524nas a2200145 4500008004100000022001400041245006800055210006700123300001400190490000700204653001900211100001300230700001700243856011800260 2012 eng d a1083-443500aSmall-Strain Modeling of Helical Dielectric Elastomer Actuators0 aSmallStrain Modeling of Helical Dielectric Elastomer Actuators a318–3250 v1710aBioengineering1 aCarpi, F1 aDe Rossi, D. uhttps://www.centropiaggio.unipi.it/publications/small-strain-modeling-helical-dielectric-elastomer-actuators.html00467nas a2200145 4500008003900000245006500039210006500104300001600169100001700185700001300202700001800215700001700233700002000250856005100270 2011 d00aElectroactive polymer patches for wearable haptic interfaces0 aElectroactive polymer patches for wearable haptic interfaces a8369–83721 aDe Rossi, D.1 aCarpi, F1 aCarbonaro, N.1 aTognetti, A.1 aScilingo, E. P. uhttp://dx.medra.org/10.1109/IEMBS.2011.609206400647nas a2200169 4500008004100000022001400041245011900055210006900174300001600243490000700259653001900266100001800285700001500303700001300318700001400331856013200345 2009 eng d a0928-493100aPolyurethane unimorph bender microfabricated with Pressure Assisted Microsyringe (PAM) for biomedical applications0 aPolyurethane unimorph bender microfabricated with Pressure Assis a1835–18410 v2910aBioengineering1 aTartarisco, G1 aGALLONE, G1 aCarpi, F1 aVozzi, G. uhttps://www.centropiaggio.unipi.it/publications/polyurethane-unimorph-bender-microfabricated-pressure-assisted-microsyringe-pam00542nas a2200157 4500008003900000245010600039210006900145260002000214300001600234100001700250700001300267700001600280700002000296700001700316856005100333 2009 d00aWearable Kinesthetic Systems and Emerging Technologies in Actuation for Upperlimb Neurorehabilitation0 aWearable Kinesthetic Systems and Emerging Technologies in Actuat c02/09/ - 06/09/ a6830–68331 aDe Rossi, D.1 aCarpi, F1 aLorussi, F.1 aScilingo, E. P.1 aTognetti, A. uhttp://dx.medra.org/10.1109/IEMBS.2009.533448100600nas a2200133 4500008004100000245014500041210006900186653001900255100001800274700001500292700001300307700001400320856013200334 2008 eng d00aComposite polyurethane and carbon black bimorph bender microfabricated with pressure assisted microsyringe (PAM) for biomedical applications0 aComposite polyurethane and carbon black bimorph bender microfabr10aBioengineering1 aTartarisco, G1 aGALLONE, G1 aCarpi, F1 aVozzi, G. uhttps://www.centropiaggio.unipi.it/publications/composite-polyurethane-and-carbon-black-bimorph-bender-microfabricated-pressure00652nas a2200193 4500008004100000245008000041210006900121250000600190260001400196300001000210490000600220653001900226100001700245700001300262700001600275700002000291700001700311856013000328 2006 eng d00aWearable Mechanosensing and Emerging Technologies in Fabric-based Actuation0 aWearable Mechanosensing and Emerging Technologies in Fabricbased a bIOS Press a55-640 v310aBioengineering1 aDe Rossi, D.1 aCarpi, F1 aLorussi, F.1 aScilingo, E. P.1 aTognetti, A. uhttps://www.centropiaggio.unipi.it/publications/wearable-mechanosensing-and-emerging-technologies-fabric-based-actuation.html00617nas a2200181 4500008004100000245006200041210006100103260002800164300001000192653001900202100001700221700001300238700001600251700001600267700002000283700001700303856011500320 2005 eng d00aElectroactive fabrics and wearable man-machine interfaces0 aElectroactive fabrics and wearable manmachine interfaces bWoodhead Publishing Ltd a59-8010aBioengineering1 aDe Rossi, D.1 aCarpi, F1 aLorussi, F.1 aParadiso, R1 aScilingo, E. P.1 aTognetti, A. uhttps://www.centropiaggio.unipi.it/publications/electroactive-fabrics-and-wearable-man-machine-interfaces.html00525nas a2200157 4500008004100000245006000041210005800101260001100159300001200170490000800182653001900190100001700209700001300226700002000239856010800259 2005 eng d00aPolymers based interfaces as bioninspired 'smart skins'0 aPolymers based interfaces as bioninspired smart skins cAugust a165-1780 v11610aBioengineering1 aDe Rossi, D.1 aCarpi, F1 aScilingo, E. P. uhttps://www.centropiaggio.unipi.it/publications/polymers-based-interfaces-bioninspired-smart-skins.html00624nas a2200181 4500008004100000245006600041210006100107260003600168653001900204100001700223700001600240700002000256700001300276700001500289700001700304700001400321856010700335 2004 eng d00aAn Upper Limb Kinesthetic-Like System For Tele-Rehabilitation0 aUpper Limb KinestheticLike System For TeleRehabilitation aIsland of Ischia, ItalycAugust10aBioengineering1 aDe Rossi, D.1 aLorussi, F.1 aScilingo, E. P.1 aCarpi, F1 aTesconi, M1 aTognetti, A.1 aOrsini, P uhttps://www.centropiaggio.unipi.it/publications/upper-limb-kinesthetic-system-tele-rehabilitation.html00648nas a2200205 4500008004100000245006100041210006100102260001300163300001200176490000600188653001900194100001700213700001300230700001600243700001600259700001600275700002000291700001700311856011400328 2003 eng d00aElectroactive Fabrics And Wearable Biomonitoring Devices0 aElectroactive Fabrics And Wearable Biomonitoring Devices cDecember a180-1850 v310aBioengineering1 aDe Rossi, D.1 aCarpi, F1 aLorussi, F.1 aMazzoldi, A1 aParadiso, R1 aScilingo, E. P.1 aTognetti, A. uhttps://www.centropiaggio.unipi.it/publications/electroactive-fabrics-and-wearable-biomonitoring-devices.html00664nas a2200205 4500008004100000245006000041210005800101260002900159300001400188653001900202100001700221700001300238700001600251700001600267700001400283700002000297700001500317700001700332856010900349 2003 eng d00aWearable Sensory-Motor Orthoses for Tele-Rehabilitation0 aWearable SensoryMotor Orthoses for TeleRehabilitation aCancun,MexicocSeptember a3724-372710aBioengineering1 aTognetti, A.1 aCarpi, F1 aLorussi, F.1 aMazzoldi, A1 aOrsini, P1 aScilingo, E. P.1 aTesconi, M1 aDe Rossi, D. uhttps://www.centropiaggio.unipi.it/publications/wearable-sensory-motor-orthoses-tele-rehabilitation.html00657nas a2200181 4500008004100000245007900041210006900120260002700189300001400216653001900230100001700249700001300266700001600279700001600295700002000311700001700331856012700348 2002 eng d00aElectroactive Fabrics for Distributed, Conformable and Interactive Systems0 aElectroactive Fabrics for Distributed Conformable and Interactiv aOrlando, FloridacJune a1608-161310aBioengineering1 aDe Rossi, D.1 aCarpi, F1 aLorussi, F.1 aMazzoldi, A1 aScilingo, E. P.1 aTognetti, A. uhttps://www.centropiaggio.unipi.it/publications/electroactive-fabrics-distributed-conformable-and-interactive-systems.html00651nas a2200169 4500008004100000245009000041210006900131260002500200653001900225100001700244700001300261700001600274700001600290700002000306700001700326856013800343 2002 eng d00aElectroactive Fibers and Fabrics for Distributed, Conformable and Interactive Systems0 aElectroactive Fibers and Fabrics for Distributed Conformable and aCachan, FrancecJuly10aBioengineering1 aDe Rossi, D.1 aCarpi, F1 aLorussi, F.1 aMazzoldi, A1 aScilingo, E. P.1 aTognetti, A. uhttps://www.centropiaggio.unipi.it/publications/electroactive-fibers-and-fabrics-distributed-conformable-and-interactive-systems.html00601nas a2200157 4500008004100000245007600041210006900117260002600186653002600212100001300238700001600251700001600267700001500283700002000298856012500318 2001 eng d00aElectroactive polymer based skin and muscles for man machine interfaces0 aElectroactive polymer based skin and muscles for man machine int aBoston, USAcDecember10aMan-machine Interface1 aCarpi, F1 aLorussi, F.1 aMazzoldi, A1 aPioggia, G1 aScilingo, E. P. uhttps://www.centropiaggio.unipi.it/publications/electroactive-polymer-based-skin-and-muscles-man-machine-interfaces.html