Pneu Cuff: Soft Robotic for Blood Pressure Measuring
In this project, we investigate a fabrication
technique in soft robotics that involves heat-sealing two layers of thermoplastic polyurethane
(TPU)-coated fabric to create airtight, inflatable
structures.
The project is done with a Research through Design (RtD) method called studio, which is the bridge between research and practice, uncovering new knowledge that traditional research approaches might miss.
By incorporating 3D printing directly onto the fabric within Sovol SV06 Plus 3D Printer, we get precise alignment of both the sealing and printed layers. This combined approach allows for the inflatables to change their shape when they’re inflated.
The project is done with a Research through Design (RtD) method called studio, which is the bridge between research and practice, uncovering new knowledge that traditional research approaches might miss.
By incorporating 3D printing directly onto the fabric within Sovol SV06 Plus 3D Printer, we get precise alignment of both the sealing and printed layers. This combined approach allows for the inflatables to change their shape when they’re inflated.
Role: Design, Prototyping and
User Research
Collaborator: Jacinda Diptya, Tess Geerts, Stefan Hubert, Julia Steinebach
Year: 2025
Time span: 2 months
Collaborator: Jacinda Diptya, Tess Geerts, Stefan Hubert, Julia Steinebach
Year: 2025
Time span: 2 months
Final Design
Our final design combined the successful features of:
(1) the circular bending cuff
(2) the rectangular pressure cuff with 3D printed grid
(3) the magnet clasp
These features were all collected from the previous prototypes.
In practice, the circular bending parts are inflated first, the magnets close automatically, and then the pressure compartment inflates.
When this prototype deflates, the user must unclip the magnets manually.