Validation of a Variable Bending Radius Sensing Principle for Optical-fiber Tactile Sensors

Abstract

Optical tactile sensors are designed to be integrated at the tip of minimally invasive surgical instruments for the provision of tactile information to surgeons. In this study, a new bending-based sensing principle for an optical-fiber tactile sensor was validated experimentally. The postulated sensing principle showed high sensitivity and contributed to the further miniaturization of optical-fiber-based sensors.