Development and validation of a dielectric-elastomer-based artificial urinary sphincter

This study presents the development and experimental validation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) based on dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) for the treatment of urinary incontinence. Traditional AUS devices are often mechanically complex, prone to complications, and are primarily designed for male patients. DEAs, known for their flexibility and muscle-like actuation, present a promising alternative with lower mechanical complexity and potential applicability for both male and female patients. Previous studies have employed finite element analysis to simulate both the urethra's and DEA's mechanical behavior. In this paper, we developed an experimental setup to evaluate the performance of a tubular DEA-based AUS, designed with an active thickness of 200μm, a length of 40mm, and an internal radius of 2.5mm. The proposed experimental setup for testing the tubular DEA involved applying physiological pressures ranging from 0 to 16kPa to evaluate its actuation response. Experimental results showed the ability of the DEA to dynamically adjust the urethral closure under increasing bladder pressures, offering a controlled and adaptive opening with a diameter change of 1 mm at 16kPa for an electrical field of 70V/μm. In addition, DEA maintained structural integrity and consistent performance in repeated cycles.