A miniature force sensor for catheter based on optical micro deformation detection

This paper presents a preliminary design of a miniature force sensor for the cardiac catheter to detect the contact force between the catheter-tip and myocardial tissue. A spring-like elastic part was specially designed to transform the distal force to the micro deformation. An optical fiber was assembled behind the elastic part to detect the deformation by analyzing the reflective light intensity. The concise structure of the force-deformation transferring part and the usage of standard material greatly promise a low-cost force sensor. The experimental results indicate the sensor works with fairly good linearity. This sensor will assist the cardiac surgeon with realtime and precise force feedback.