JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS 2012
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the load output of a pressure sensor in the presence of liquid saturation in a controlled environment. We hypothesized that a calibrated pressure sensor would provide diminishing load outputs over time in controlled environments of both humidified air and while submerged in saline and the sensors would reach a steady state output once saturated.
A consistent compressive load was repeatedly applied to pressure sensors over time with a tensile testing machine. All sensors were initially calibrated in a dry environment and were tested in three groups: humid air, submerged in 0.9% saline solution, and dry. Because outcomes in biomedical research can affect clinical practices and treatments, the diminishing load output of the sensor in the presence of liquids should be accounted for. We recommend soaking sensors for more than 48 hr prior to testing in a moist environment.
