Development and evaluation of a micro force sensor for the measurement of in vivo tension

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1. Micro force sensor of the plate spring typeThe micro force sensor consists of a stainless steel plate spring (length 2 mm, width 1.5 mm, thickness 0.1 mm) on which a electric-resistance strain gauge is bonded. When the sensor is inserted into tendons and ligaments, a tension applied to their tissues causes the adjacent fibers to bend the plate spring. The bending strain is measured with the strain gauge. The in vivo tension in rat patellar tendon during treadmill running and jumping was measured using the sensor. As a result, the tension could be measured accurately.2. Micro force sensor of the needle typeA needle is composed of three stainless steel plates (width 1.0-1.5 mm, thickness 0.1-0.3 mm, length 15 mm). The needle has a cantilever in the top. A electric-resistance strain gauge or fiber optic strain gauge is bonded on the cantilever. A tension applied to tendons and ligaments causes the adjacent fibers of the tissues to bend the cantilever. The in vitro cyclic loading was applied to the rat patellar tendon into which the sensor was inserted. The required output was stably obtained from the sensor.