3d contact force sensing
AssigneeSilicon Microstructures, Inc.
InventorArmin Jamali
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Contact-force-sensing systems that can provide additional information about the forces that are applied by catheters and other devices to cell walls and other surfaces. One example can provide directional information for a contact-force-sensing system. For example, magnitude, plane angle, and off-plane angle information can be provided by a contact-force-sensing system. Another example can provide guiding functionality for a contact-force-sensing system. For example, a contact-force-sensing system can provide tactile response to a surgeon or operator to allow a device to be accurately guided though a body.
Claims20
A force-measurement system comprising:
- a central axis;
- three or more pressure-sensor chambers placed radially around the central axis, each pressure-sensor chamber comprising a fluid housed in a chamber and a pressure sensor positioned to sense a pressure on the fluid;
- and
- a central member in line with the central axis, the central member capable of being deflected in a least one direction.
A force-measurement system comprising:
- three or more peripheral pressure-sensor chambers placed radially around a central axis of the force-measurement system, each peripheral pressure-sensor chamber comprising a fluid housed in a chamber and a pressure sensor positioned to sense a pressure on the fluid in the chamber;
- and
- a central pressure-sensor chamber in line with the central axis, the central pressure-sensor chamber comprising a fluid housed in a chamber and a pressure sensor positioned to sense a pressure on the fluid in the chamber.
A force-measurement system comprising:
- three or more peripheral pressure-sensor chambers placed radially around a central axis of the force-measurement system, each peripheral pressure-sensor chamber comprising a fluid housed in a chamber and a pressure sensor positioned to sense a pressure on the fluid in the chamber;
- a central rod to engage with a cell wall, the rod configured to be deflected;
- and
- a force-distribution structure attached to the rod and in contact with each of the three or more peripheral pressure-sensor chambers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.