Simulation and Electrical Characterization of a Novel 2D-Printed Incontinence Sensor with Conductive Polymer PEDOT:PSS for Medical Applications

Nowadays, realistic simulations are a must do in engineering. Most common are Finite-Element-Methods (FEM) simulations, which are well known analysis methods and powerful engineering tools. They are used in a variety of application areas like Space and Aircraft Industries, Civil Engineering, Automotive Industry, Mechanical Engineering, Construction and Shipbuilding, Plastics Industry, Consumer Goods, Electronics, Microsystems Engineering, Basic Research (incl. Medicine and Bio-Sciences) to simulate material behavior, optimize products or check the reliability of systems. In this study, an efficient FEM simulation was carried out to model and optimize a 2D-printed incontinence sensor integrated in a diaper application. The sensor system is consisting of 6 single sensors (Interdigital Electrodes Sensor) distributed in the diaper. The sensor system can monitor the urine amount resistively or capacitively. A novel biocompatible material PEDOT:PSS (a conductive polymer) is used as ink. The prints are made with screen- and inkjet-printing technology.