Development of dielectric elastomer actuators for MRI devices
Development of dielectric elastomer actuators for MRI devices
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发表时间：
2004
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通讯作者：
John Vogan
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作者：
John Vogan
介电弹性体 (DE) 执行器是一类新兴的聚合物驱动装置。它们表现出大应变并具有高力和能量密度。它们可以设计成各种几何形状，并且制造成本低廉。目前，DE 驱动的使用受到限制，因为定量设计信息不完整，并且控制其性能的复杂现象尚未完全表征。在本研究中，通过实验和分析研究了几个此类问题。为此研究设计的执行器充当二元执行器，即它们在两个设定状态（关闭和开启）之间运行。根据理论分析预测执行器的性能，并将结果与实验结果进行比较。制造方法的改进和最佳设计参数的确定已经通过实验确定。由于 DE 执行器可以由聚合物制成，无需任何铁磁材料，因此它们有可能用于磁共振成像 (MRI) 机器，该机器具有严格的兼容性要求，限制了某些材料的使用。 MRI是一种强大而有效的医疗诊断工具，但由于空间有限和兼容性问题，治疗受到限制。人们普遍认识到，如果能够在成像过程中物理操纵 MRI 机器内的物体，其价值将会增加，但由于铁磁材料的不兼容性，传统操纵系统无法在 MRI 内操作。二元 DE 执行器消除了对传统电磁执行器及其相关控制电子设备的需求。这种固有的兼容性表明新型 MRI 治疗设备是可能的。介绍了在 MRI 环境中使用的潜在应用，并制作了用于说明这些应用的原型。其中一项应用是用于灵活成像功能的可重构射频线圈，它证明 DE 执行器不仅与 MRI 兼容，而且还可以显着增强成像能力。论文导师：Steven Dubowsky 职称：机械工程教授
Dielectric elastomer (DE) actuators are an emerging class of polymer actuation devices. They exhibit large strains and have high force and energy densities. They can be designed in a variety of geometries and are inexpensive to manufacture. Currently, the use of DE Actuation is limited because quantitative design information is incomplete and the complex phenomena governing their performance have not been fully characterized. In this study, several such issues are investigated both experimentally and analytically. The actuators designed for this research function as binary actuators, that is, they operate between two set states, OFF and ON. Performance of the actuators is predicted based on theoretical analysis and the results are compared to experimental results. Improvement of fabrication methods and determination of optimum design parameters have been experimentally determined. Since DE actuators can be constructed out of polymers and without any ferromagnetic materials, they can potentially be used in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, which has strict compatibility requirements that limit the use of certain materials. MRI is a powerful and effective medical diagnostic tool, but treatment is limited because of the confined space and compatibility issues. It has been well recognized that its value would be increased if it were possible to physically manipulate objects within the MRI machine during imaging, but conventional manipulation systems cannot operate within an MRI due to the incompatibility of ferromagnetic materials. Binary DE actuators eliminate the need for conventional electromagnetic actuators and their associated controlling electronics. This inherent compatibility suggests that a new class of MRI treatment devices is possible. Potential applications for use in the MRI environment are introduced, and prototypes for illustrating these applications are fabricated. One such application, a reconfigurable RF coil for flexible imaging capabilities, proves that not only are DE actuators and MRI compatible, but that they can significantly enhance imaging capabilities. Thesis Supervisor: Steven Dubowsky Title: Professor of Mechanical Engineering