Flexible Sensors and Related Systems for Determining Forces Applied to an Object, Such As a Surgical Instrument

Methods of manufacturing a flexible force sensor include forming a first sensor part providing a plurality of spaced first electrode plates (80) in an electrically non-conductive material. A second sensor part is also formed and includes a plurality of second electrode plates (82) in an electrically non-conductive material. The second electrode plates (82) are identical to the first electrode plates (80) at least in terms of spacing. The first part is assembled to the second part such that each of the first electrode plates (80) are aligned with and parallel to, yet spaced from, respective ones of the second electrode plates (82), establishing a plurality of capacitive sensing components. The first electrode plates (80) are movable relative to the corresponding second electrode plates (82), establishing a variable gap therebetween. The sensor parts can be ring-shaped. The sensor parts can be formed via MEMS techniques, with the non-conductive material being a polymer.

Attached files:


Patents:
WO 2,011,022,665

Inventor(s): CUI TIANHONG [US]; LU MIAO [CN]

Type of Offer: Licensing



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