Mitigating Thermal Expansion Effects in Silicone-Coated Pelvic Floor Muscle Dynamometer

Nikolay Papanchev, Cederick Landry, Simon Richard, Chantal Dumoulin, Marc Feeley, Leonard Oest O’Leary

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Keywords: Silicone, Pelvic Floor Muscle, Vaginal Dynamometer, Thermal Expansion, Urinary Incontinence, Force Drift Reduction, Biomechanical sensing

TL;DR: This paper introduces a two-layer silicone encapsulation method for portable vaginal dynamometers that significantly reduces thermal drift in force measurements, enabling more accurate pelvic floor muscle training.

Abstract: Objective: Various types of sensors, such as dynamometers, have been developed to assist in strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, aiming to improve the quality of life for women affected by urinary incontinence. This paper presents silicone encapsulation method for portable vaginal dynamometers that minimizes force measurement drift caused by thermal expansion mismatch between the silicone and the dynamometer housing due to body temperature. Methods: The encapsulation process involves two steps. First, based on the size and shape of the dynamometer, a mold is created to form a cured silicone sleeve slightly larger than the sensor. This sleeve is then slid over the dynamometer. A second silicone layer is subsequently applied over the sleeve and any exposed surfaces of the dynamometer. The dynamometers were tested in air and water at 37 °C to simulate thermal conditions and assess the force measurement drift at body temperature. Results: The proposed method limited the force drift to 0.014 N—a significant reduction compared to the 5 N observed when the silicone was directly applied to the dynamometer surface. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the two-layer encapsulation in mitigating the impact of thermal expansion on the measured force. Significance: This may pave the way to accurate personal pelvic dynamometers for at-home and personalized pelvic muscle training.

Track: 2. Sensors and systems for digital health, wellness, and athletics

NominateReviewer: Céderick Landry. Email : [e-mail]

Submission Number: 30