Pilot study: Measurement of mechanical load using a glass-coated microwire for implantology applications

The aim of the pilot study was to determine the mechanical load using a glass-coated microwire on 3 experimental samples at different positions of the microwire (vertical, horizontal, diagonal position) for possible application in the field of implantology. The production of experimental samples was created by additive technology from a flexible material. The mechanical load ranged from F = 40 N to F = 50 N and was measured by a force sensor. A frequency generator (GW instek GFG-3015) and an oscilloscope (Tektronix TDS 2001C) were used to generate and detect the signal. The switching field of the microwire was excited and sensed through 0.4 mm diameter (excitation coil) and 0.056 mm (sense coil) coils. The results of the study indicate a relationship between the switching field of the microwire and the mechanical load, and it was shown that in experimental samples 1 and 2 a decrease in the switching field of the microwire was detected as a result of poor fixation or bending of the microwire. Experimental sample 3 showed the best switching field values. However, by solving the fixation of the microwire into the implemented object, this type of microsensor makes a suitable candidate in the field of implantology.