All electric piezoelectric finger sensor (PEFS) for soft material stiffness measurement

摘要

A PEFS (Piezoelectric Finger Sensor) acts as an “electronic finger” capable of accurately and non-destructively measuring both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus of tissues with gentle touches to the surface. The PEFS measures both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus variations in tissue generating a less than one-millimeter spatial resolution up to a depth of several centimeters. This offers great potential for in-vivo early detection of diseases. A portable hand-held device is also disclosed. The PEF offers superior sensitivity.

主权项

1. A method for determining a compression modulus of a substrate at a plurality of locations, said method comprising steps of;
(a) applying a compressive force to a first location of the substrate via a sensor having a cantilever when said cantilever is in contact with the substrate; (b) detecting a displacement of the cantilever due to said compressive force of step (a); (c) determining a compression modulus of said substrate at said first location from said displacement detected in step (b); (d) applying a compressive force to a different location of the substrate via a sensor having a cantilever when said cantilever is in contact with the substrate; (e) detecting a displacement of the cantilever due to said compressive force of step (d); (f) determining a compression modulus of said substrate at said different location from said displacement detected in step (e); (g) optionally, repeating steps (d)-(f) one or more additional times; and (h) mapping said determined compression moduli of said locations of said substrate; andwherein each pair (a) and (b) or (d) and (e) of said applying and detecting steps is carried out sequentially after completion of a previous set of applying and detecting steps.