Open AccessToward Mechanochromic Soft Material‐Based Visual Feedback for Electronics‐Free Surgical Effectors
Author(s) -
Giordano Goffredo,
Gagliardi Mariacristina,
Huan Yu,
Carlotti Marco,
Mariani Andrea,
Menciassi Arianna,
Sinibaldi Edoardo,
Mazzolai Barbara
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202100418
Subject(s) - polydimethylsiloxane , materials science , electronics , computer science , biomedical engineering , nanotechnology , electrical engineering , engineering
A chromogenically reversible, mechanochromic pressure sensor is integrated into a mininvasive surgical grasper compatible with the da Vinci robotic surgical system. The sensorized effector, also featuring two soft‐material jaws, encompasses a mechanochromic polymeric inset doped with functionalized spiropyran (SP) molecule, designed to activate mechanochromism at a chosen pressure and providing a reversible color change. Considering such tools are systematically in the visual field of the operator during surgery, color change of the mechanochromic effector can help avoid tissue damage. No electronics is required to control the devised visual feedback. SP‐doping of polydimethylsiloxane (2.5:1 prepolymer/curing agent weight ratio) permits to modulate the mechanochromic activation pressure, with lower values around 1.17 MPa for a 2% wt. SP concentration, leading to a shorter chromogenic recovery time of 150 s at room temperature (25 °C) under green light illumination. Nearly three‐times shorter recovery time is observed at body temperature (37 °C). To the best of knowledge, this study provides the first demonstration of mechanochromic materials in surgery, in particular to sensorize unpowered surgical effectors, by avoiding dramatic increases in tool complexity due to additional electronics, thus fostering their application. The proposed sensing strategy can be extended to further tools and scopes.