InnovationLab started industrial Production of printed Sensors for the HealthCare Sector

16.07.2019

  • The production for 2019 of more than 400.000 flexible printed pressure sensors has already started and there is more to come next year.

  • The sensors are only 60μm thin, very flexible, and allow the recording of masticatory forces in 256 pressure levels.

  • The digital occlusion control system combines the traditional and digital presentation of the masticatory forces on occlusal surfaces.

As an expert in printed and organic electronics, InnovationLab (iL) offers solutions from the initial product idea to the final production of flexible and functional print products. As part of this service, iL supported Dr. Jean Bausch GmbH & Co. KG, manufacturer of occlusion test materials, from the idea of designing tailor-made flexible sensors for every dental practice to the final print product. These flexible printed pressure sensors are part of Bausch’s digital occlusion control system.

OccluSense® - The Future of Occlusion Control
This system, named OccluSense®, can be used by any dentist as the occlusion test is a daily routine. It consists of a handheld device, inductive charger, a test sensor, and a box of 25 sensors, developed and printed by InnovationLab. It combines the traditional and digital presentation of the masticatory forces on occlusal surfaces. The masticatory forces are covered by the sensor and recorded by the handheld device which transmits the recorded data wireless to the OccluSense®-iPad-App.

These integrated printed flexible pressure sensors depict the unique features accessible by printed electronics - thin, lightweight, conformable on plastic substrate. The sensors are only 60μm thin, very flexible, and allow the recording of all masticatory forces in 256 pressure levels. The thin and flexible material allows recording of both the static and the dynamic occlusion. Due to their color-coating it is possible to assign them to the contact points on the teeth.

The novelty is the digital representation of the occlusal points and the associated stress loads, what might be causing diverse symptoms, such as headache, earache, neck pain, shoulder pain, hypersensitivity to light, bruxism or difficulties in swallowing.

In today’s dentistry, documentation and storage are important. The app saves each shot automatically so that is easy to draw comparisons. The system can be used in various fields of dentistry including functional diagnostics, dental technology, and osteopathy.

Industrial Production of printed Electronics
In 2017, the pilot production of 10.000 printed sensors by InnovationLab started followed by 50.000 in 2018. The production for 2019 of more than 400.000 flexible printed pressure sensors has already started and there is more to come next year.

The sensors are manufactured using a high throughput printing process. Such an additive manufacturing approach enables cost effective fabrication of large area sensor arrays. Their flexibility makes them suitable for all purposes. Printed on thermoplastic polyurethane the integrated pressure sensors don’t generate irritating audible noises.

Additional applications can be found in the field of facility management such as equipping smart offices. In order to prevent back complaints, smart chairs equipped with printed pressure sensors for a high-resolution analysis of pressure distribution can support correct sitting postures. Furthermore, sensors can be embedded in a shoe insole detecting dangerous walking behavior that can be prevented by concentration on the way of walking.