Page 464 - Flexible Robotics in Medicine

458 Chapter 20

Figure 20.1
Fabrication of the TRHV. (A) Schematic showing the components in the hydrogel mix. (B)
Schematic showing the design of the PDMS mold to fabricate the TRHV.

Table 20.1: Mold dimensions of TRHV.
Molds Inner diameter (mm) Outer diameter (mm) Height (mm)
Mold 1 4 8 5
Mold 2 4 10 3
Mold 3 4 10 4
Mold 4 4 10 5
Mold 5 4 12 5

encapsulating hydrogel layer [11,12] and protects the environment. This chapter emphasizes
on evaluating and comparing the functionality of the thermo-responsive hydrogel-based
valve and the SMAHV. The report includes a literature review addressing underlying
concepts and rationale of choice of valves, fabrication, testing, and interpretation of results,
comparison of the two approaches, conclusion, and future recommendations.

20.2 Materials and methods

20.2.1 Thermo-responsive hydrogel valve

The TRHV is made up of the hydrogel matrix with thermo-responsive properties. The
fabrication of the TRHV is shown in Fig. 20.1A and B. The design and fabrication of the
TRHV are explained in the following subsections.
20.2.1.1 Three-dimensional printed mold

Five different molds were fabricated to make the TRHV. The molds are made of
polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) due to the ease of removal. The PDMS mold is fabricated