3D Printing of Polyvinylidene Fluoride‐Based Piezoelectric Sensors for Noninvasive Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring

Abstract

We present successful fabrication and application of 3D printed piezoelectric sensors, made from polyvinylidene fluoride‐barium titanate (PVDF‐BaTiO3) nanocomposites, for continuous blood pressure monitoring. Our sensors are fabricated using direct‐ink write 3D printing technique possessing excellent flexibility, rendering them ideal for wearable applications. We optimize key printing parameters, such as nozzle size and pressure, to achieve a β‐phase of 70% and an overall crystallinity of 48.3%. Our sensors are characterized under dynamic pressures and show excellent linearity with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.99 and a pressure sensitivity of 0.024 V kPa‐1, and demonstrate durability over 3600 cycles. We compare the performance of our piezoelectric sensors with a standard blood pressure monitoring device for a subject and find a strong correlation with standard deviation of 3.87 mmHg and 0.63 mmHg for SBP and DBP, respectively. The development of sensors through 3D printing, as demonstrated in this study, represents a significant scientific advancement in the field of personalized healthcare. Our novel approach enables the creation of customized wearable devices tailored for real‐time health monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Recent Advances in Materials, Devices and Algorithms Toward Wearable Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring

“…In this context, a silicon nanofilm-based metal oxide semiconductor field effect (MOSFET) was combined with a PZT sensing array to reliably realize detection of tiny dynamics of the blood dynamics like the variations in the diastolic tail of the PW, which is unreachable by a conventional arterial tonometer (Figure A) . In addition, a set of strategies, including mechanical stretching, − annealing, , electrical poling, , solvent evaporation , and mixing with fillings, − have been developed to improve the sensing capabilities of piezoelectric system. Common used fillings include BaTiO 3, , carbon nanotubes, and cellulose .…”

“…In addition, a set of strategies, including mechanical stretching, − annealing, , electrical poling, , solvent evaporation , and mixing with fillings, − have been developed to improve the sensing capabilities of piezoelectric system. Common used fillings include BaTiO 3, , carbon nanotubes, and cellulose . In this regard, a printing ink was prepared by incorporating 10% BaTiO 3 into a PVDF solution as a nucleating agent for the β-phase chains (Figure B).…”

“…(B) Schematic of the 3D printing of PVDF-BaTiO 3 sensors. Adapted with permission from ref . Copyright 2024 Wiley-VCH.…”