Tactile sensing and needle guidance device

Abstract

Tactile sensing devices, systems, and methods to image a target tissue location are disclosed. When force is applied to the tactile sensing device, voltage data is detected and visualized on a screen, indicating the target tissue location.

1 - 116 . (canceled) 
     
     
         117 . A tactile sensing device, comprising:
 a frame comprising a scanning track;   a scanhead moveable along the scanning track, the scanhead comprising:
 a needle guide; and 
 a sensor array; 
   an electronic unit comprising:
 a computing device comprising a processor operatively coupled to the sensor array, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium with a computer program including instructions executable by the processor causing the processor to: output a pressure map corresponding to output signals transmitted by the sensor array; and 
 a display screen operatively coupled to the computing device for displaying the pressure map. 
   
     
     
         118 . The device of  claim 117 , further comprising a fluid pressure sensor. 
     
     
         119 . The device of  claim 118 , further comprising a pressure sensor connector for operatively connecting the fluid pressure sensor. 
     
     
         120 . The device of  claim 119 , wherein the pressure sensor connector is operatively coupled to the computing device, and wherein the fluid pressure is displayed on the display screen. 
     
     
         121 . The device of  claim 118 , wherein the fluid pressure sensor measures a cerebrospinal fluid pressure. 
     
     
         122 . The device of  claim 119 , wherein the pressure sensor connector is a pressure port. 
     
     
         123 . The device of  claim 117 , wherein the electronic unit is reversibly coupled to the sensor array. 
     
     
         124 . The device of  claim 117 , wherein the pressure map displays a skin level location of the needle. 
     
     
         125 . The device of  claim 124 , wherein computer program further causes the processor of the computing device to output a prompt when the needle guide is provided at a target tissue insertion site. 
     
     
         126 . The device of  claim 125 , wherein the needle guide is located on a surface of a scanhead. 
     
     
         127 . The device of  claim 117 , wherein the scanhead is moveable along the scanning track over a distance of about 0.5 inches to about 10 inches. 
     
     
         128 . The device of  claim 117 , further comprising a carriage coupling the scanhead to the scanning track. 
     
     
         129 . The device of  claim 128 , wherein the needle guide is fixed to the carriage. 
     
     
         130 . The device of  claim 128 , wherein mating of the scanhead and the carriage allows the scanhead to be depressed relative to the carriage. 
     
     
         131 . The device of  claim 130 , wherein depression of the scanhead relative to the carriage prevents movement of the carriage along the scanning track. 
     
     
         132 . The device of  claim 131 , wherein a pintle locks the position of the carriage along the scanning track when the scanhead is depressed relative to the carriage. 
     
     
         133 . The device of  claim 130 , wherein the scanhead is depressible to a depth of about 1 centimeter to about 10 centimeters. 
     
     
         134 . The device of  claim 117 , wherein the sensor array comprises a plurality of piezoresistive sensors. 
     
     
         135 . The device of  claim 134 , wherein the sensor array comprises at least 50 sensors. 
     
     
         136 . The device of  claim 117 , wherein a patient-contacting surface of the frame is curved.