Magnetic resonance imaging-compatible tactile sensing device based on a piezoelectric array.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Technology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) often lacks tactile feedback, hindering accurate tissue assessment.
• Existing haptic technologies for MIS primarily focus on stiffness and force, not comprehensive palpation.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers superior soft tissue visualization but lacks tactile integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and describe a novel tactile sensor design for MIS.
• To enable image-guided palpation by integrating tactile sensing with MRI.
• To enhance diagnostic capabilities during MIS procedures.

Main Methods:

• A piezoelectric sensor-based tactile sensing unit was designed.
• The sensor was engineered to meet stringent MRI compatibility requirements (mechanical and electrical).
• The device was integrated with a 0.2 Tesla open MRI scanner and compatibility was tested.

Main Results:

• A functional tactile sensing unit compatible with MRI environments was developed.
• Successful integration and testing with a 0.2 Tesla open MRI scanner were demonstrated.
• The design adheres to the demanding requirements for MRI-guided interventions.

Conclusions:

• The proposed piezoelectric tactile sensor enables MRI-guided palpation during MIS.
• This technology has the potential to significantly improve diagnostic accuracy in MIS.
• Further improvements and exploration of design limitations are discussed for future development.