APPARATUSES INVOLVING ELONGATED-MEDICAL INSTRUMENT FOR SENSING TISSUE INTERACTION FORCES

摘要

Various aspects as described herein are directed to methods and systems that include a tissue-engagement apparatus. The tissue-engagement apparatus includes a distal needle portion having a sharp-end region to be applied to a tissue surface. The tissue-engagement apparatus also includes a proximate needle portion to attach to a needle base, and an elongated needle portion, situated between the distal needle portion. The elongated needle portion includes a plurality of openings that accentuate haptic-type forces carried by the elongated needle portion in response to engagement between the sharp-end region and the tissue surface. Additionally, the proximate needle portion includes a communication pathway that conveys information, from the distal needle portion along the elongated needle portion, which characterizes forces due to the engagement between the sharp-end region and the tissue surface.