Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a process variable

An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium, comprising:

• at least one mechanically oscillatable unit, which at least partially comes in contact with the medium;
• at least one transducer unit, which excites said at least one mechanically oscillatable unit to execute mechanical oscillations and which receives mechanical oscillations from said at least one mechanically oscillatable unit;
• at least one housing;
• and
• at least one limiting element, wherein:
• said at least one limiting element is embodied and arranged in such a manner that said at least one limiting element at least partially surrounds said at least one mechanically oscillatable unit;
• and
• the resulting reduction of volume surrounding said at least one mechanically oscillatable unit increases measuring sensitivity of the apparatus, wherein:
• said at least one mechanically oscillatable unit has at least two fork tines;
• said at least one limiting element has at least one plate;
• and
• said at least one plate is arranged between said at least two fork tines of said at least one mechanically oscillatable unit.