Title: Fibre optic force sensor for flexible bevel tip needles in minimally invasive surgeries

Authors: Jas Singh; Johan Potgieter; Weiliang Xu

Addresses: School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Building 106, Gate 4, Old Albany Highway, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand ' School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Building 106, Gate 4, Old Albany Highway, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Auckland, Symonds Street, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand

Abstract: This paper presents and discusses the design of a novel fibre optic force sensor which will be embedded within the needle. This sensor will provide information on lateral and axial forces acting on the needle. The proposed design is amalgamation of two technologies and uses both Fabry Perot interferometer and fibre brags grating.

Keywords: flexible needles; fibre optic sensors; minimally invasive surgery; FBG sensors; FPI sensors; hybrid sensors; force sensing; embedded systems; axial forces; lateral forces; steerable needles; medical devices.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBBR.2013.058742

International Journal of Biomechatronics and Biomedical Robotics, 2013 Vol.2 No.2/3/4, pp.135 - 140

Published online: 18 Jul 2014 *

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