An optical fibre sensor for use in a tissue cutting tool

This pre-study investigates a fibre optic alternative to more conventional sensors for measuring force indirectly as bending or deflection in a medical robotic application. The paper discusses problems regarding the integration of fibre optics into a cutting tool for the removal of prostate gland tissue. The aim is to integrate the sensor in a tube rod with an inner diameter of 0.6 mm and use it as a force feed-back sensor for the control system of the robot. The paper proposes and evaluates an inexpensive opto-mechatronic device for launching light into and detecting light received from an optical fibre. A simple sensor prototype is constructed to show the feasibility to use a fibre optic sensor for the prostate gland cutting tool.