Advances in Bio-Tactile Sensors for Minimally Invasive Surgery Using the Fibre Bragg Grating Force Sensor Technique: A Survey

Abstract

The large interest in utilising fibre Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) applications to replace conventional electrical tactile sensors has grown in the past few years. FBG strain sensors offer the advantages of optical fibre sensors, such as high sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic noise, electrical passivity and chemical inertness, but are not limited by phase discontinuity or intensity fluctuations. FBG sensors feature a wavelength-encoding sensing signal that enables distributed sensing that utilises fewer connections. In addition, their flexibility and lightness allow easy insertion into needles and catheters, thus enabling localised measurements inside tissues and blood. Two types of FBG tactile sensors have been emphasised in the literature: single-point and array FBG tactile sensors. This paper describes the current design, development and research of the optical fibre tactile techniques that are based on FBGs to enhance the performance of MIS procedures in general. Providing MIS or microsurgery surgeons with accurate and precise measurements and control of the contact forces during tissues manipulation will benefit both surgeons and patients.

Tactile sensing for object identification based on hetero-core fiber optics

“…In contrast to such conventional ways of electrical sensing techniques, fiber optic sensors [4,5,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] for tactile sensing have been previously proposed as alternative methods because of the immunity to electro-magnetic interference, and their physical merits such as lightweight, thin size, and flexibility. In particular, fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs)-based strain sensors were often applied as tactile sensors [13][14][15][16][17][18].…”

“…In particular, fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs)-based strain sensors were often applied as tactile sensors [13][14][15][16][17][18]. FBG sensors measure longitudinal strain caused by physical contact on the glass fibers by observing resonant optical wavelength shifts, although they have to be temperature compensated.…”

Design of a Wearable Fingertip Haptic Device for Remote Palpation: Characterisation and Interface with a Virtual Environment

“…Contrary to techniques used in open surgery or even manual minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy), one of the most frequent criticisms of robot-assisted MIS (R-A MIS) systems is their lack of haptic feedback (Abushagur et al, 2014). Use of master-slave systems requires extensive training to gain dexterity and efficiency (Ma et al, 2014).…”

“…The addition of haptics in tele-operation can add value and improve the performance of the user, for example in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or microsurgery applications as supported by Abushagur et al (2014). Contrary to techniques used in open surgery or even manual minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy), one of the most frequent criticisms of robot-assisted MIS (R-A MIS) systems is their lack of haptic feedback (Abushagur et al, 2014).…”

Carbon-coated magnetic particles increase tissue temperatures after laser irradiation

“…22 Recently, FBG has been used in biomedical application such as biomechanics 22,23 and hyperthermia. 24,25 FBG could measure multi-point temperature, and this would be helpful for the temperature detection and control to avoid the normal cells from being damaged during cancer hyperthermia.…”