Patent · US Active

Tactile sensor array for soft tissue elasticity imaging

US8069735B1 · kind B1 · utility

26Cited by
14References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 10, 2010
Grant dateDec 6, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 10, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2562/046
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A tactile sensor array includes a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer with a two-phase compressible dielectric material therebetween. A ferroelectret film is used as a dielectric layer. In some embodiments, to improve sensor sensitivity and at the same time provide for high stability and reproducibility of sensor readings, the ferroelectret film is vented to atmosphere via a venting network of channels traversing at least one electrode layer and a curved rigid substrate. In some embodiments, an elastic supporting structure is provided that comprises individual elastic fastening elements connecting all layers of the sensor together. These individual elastic fastening elements are located throughout the layers of the sensor and prevent cross-talk between the individual sensors that may be caused by local shifts of parts of the sensor during use.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.