Development and validation of a pressure transducer and its electronics for esophageal manometry

Abstract

This paper reports the development and validation of strain gauge transducers and its readout electronics with the ultimate goal of integration in a commercial endoscopic capsule (EC). The deposition process of strain gauge transducers on a capsule surface, using microfabrication techniques, is described. An electronic circuit is designed, implemented and tested for the amplification of the transducer output signal. Electromechanical tests are performed on a cylindrical tube, which simulates the capsule weight and dimensions, and the obtained results allowed establishing a correlation between the output signal and the stress applied on an EC. These results represent an important step for the implementation of a more advanced capsule manometry system.