Actuators, biomedicine, and cell-biology

Edwin W. H. Jager

doi:10.1117/12.917428

3 April 2012 Actuators, biomedicine, and cell-biology

Edwin W. H. Jager

Proceedings Volume 8340, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2012; 834006 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.917428
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Conducting polymers such as polypyrrole are well-known for their volume changing capacity and their use as actuating material. Actuators based on polypyrrole have been demonstrated in dimensions ranging from centimetres down to micrometres as well as in linear strain and bending beam actuation modes. The polypyrrole (micro-)actuators can be operated in salt solutions including cell culture media and blood. In addition, polypyrrole is known to be biocompatible making them a good choice for applications within cell biology and medicine. Applications of polypyrrole actuators within micromechanical devices, such as microrobotics and valves, will be presented. Opportunities and devices for the medical device industry, especially vascular surgery will be shown. This includes a rotating PCTA balloon system, a steerable guide wire, and an implantable drug delivery system. In addition, novel mechanostimulation chips for cell biology will be introduced. Using these devices, we can stretch cells and show the cellular response to this mechanical stimulation. Since the dawn of eukaryotic cells many parallel molecular mechanisms that respond to mechanical stimuli have evolved. This technology allows us to begin the investigation of these mechanisms on a single cell level.

Citation Download Citation

Edwin W. H. Jager "Actuators, biomedicine, and cell-biology", Proc. SPIE 8340, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2012, 834006 (3 April 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.917428

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