Palpation sensor using two PVDF films

Abstract

In this work, a prototype polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) palpation sensor has been developed. The sensor aims to measure stiffness, which is one of the information of biomedical tissue by palpation. The sensor is composed of two PVDF films, a silicone cylindrical column, and an aluminum cylinder. And the classification of hardness is concerned with the ratio of these PVDF outputs. In this paper, the output behavior of the palpation sensor was evaluated in detail by the experimental and numerical approach, and the suitable design to diagnose by the stiffness of tissue was investigated. Using the finite element analysis, the sensor output behavior was predicted. It is confirmed that the analysis is available for investigation of the dimension and the limitation of the sensor against the measuring object.