A low-cost sensor and apparatus comprising same, and a system for measuring force, comprising an end-effector having a first end and a second end on opposing sides of the end-effector; a first sensor located at the first end of the end-effector; and a second sensor located at the second end of the end-effector.

A low-cost sensor and apparatus comprising same, and a system for measuring force, comprising an end-effector having a first end and a second end on opposing sides of the end-effector; a first sensor located at the first end of the end-effector; and a second sensor located at the second end of the end-effector.

A variety of applications can include apparatus and/or methods that provide an axial force transducer. Two coils wound coaxially with respect to each other can be used with a magnet to determine a distance traveled based on application of an axial force to an instrument component. The two coils and magnet can be configured in a number of ways with respect to the instrument component. In various embodiments, the difference between an inductance associated with one of the two coils along with its relation to the magnet and an inductance associated with the other one of the two coils along with its relation to the magnet can be used to determine the axial force on the component of the instrument associated with the distance travelled. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

A variety of applications can include apparatus and/or methods that provide an axial force transducer. Two coils wound coaxially with respect to each other can be used with a magnet to determine a distance traveled based on application of an axial force to an instrument component. The two coils and magnet can be configured in a number of ways with respect to the instrument component. In various embodiments, the difference between an inductance associated with one of the two coils along with its relation to the magnet and an inductance associated with the other one of the two coils along with its relation to the magnet can be used to determine the axial force on the component of the instrument associated with the distance travelled. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

A medical device includes a shaft comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A beam has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a middle portion, and one or more strain sensors are on the middle portion. The proximal end portion of the beam is matingly coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft to form an interface. The beam comprises a discontinuity between the interface and the middle portion of the beam. In some embodiments, the medical device includes a link and the distal end portion of the beam is matingly coupled to the link to form a second interface. A second discontinuity is between the second interface and the middle portion of the beam. In some embodiments, an anchor is coupled to the shaft and the proximal end portion of the beam is matingly coupled to the anchor.

A force sensor has a sensing system including a target piece and a sensing element, configured to provide changes of a magnetic field, being generated by motion of the target piece. The sensing element senses these changes and provides a signal representative of the position of the target piece. An integrated circuit with processing means can process signals from the sensing element. A semiconductor package includes at least the integrated circuit. A flexible piece includes the target, and it is attached to the semiconductor package. The attachment area between the flexible piece and the semiconductor package does not extend beyond the top projection, or outline, of the semiconductor package. The flexible piece receives a force stimulus, so that upon exerting a force on the flexible piece, the displacement of the target piece with respect to the surface of the semiconductor package can be sensed by the sensing element.

A flexible tactile sensor includes a conductive target positioned in a first plane, at least three coils forming an array within a second plane, the second plane spaced apart from the first plane, a pliable material coupling the conductive target to the at least three coils, and an electronic device electrically coupled to each of the at least three coils, the electronic device configured to induce an AC signal within each of the at least three coils and measure a change in inductance in the at least three coils in response to movement of the conductive target.

A flexible tactile sensor includes a conductive target positioned in a first plane, at least three coils forming an array within a second plane, the second plane spaced apart from the first plane, a pliable material coupling the conductive target to the at least three coils, and an electronic device electrically coupled to each of the at least three coils, the electronic device configured to induce an AC signal within each of the at least three coils and measure a change in inductance in the at least three coils in response to movement of the conductive target.

A force sensing system for determining if a user input has occurred, the system comprising: an input channel, to receive an input from at least one force sensor; an activity detection stage, to monitor an activity level of the input from the at least one force sensor and, responsive to an activity level which may be indicative of a user input being reached, to generate an indication that an activity has occurred at the force sensor; and an event detection stage to receive said indication, and to determine if a user input has occurred based on the received input from the at least one force sensor.

A force detection system includes first and second sets of pressure sensors, memory, and a processing module. The first set of pressure sensors are in an insole of a shoe and the second set of pressure sensors are in an outsole of a shoe. The processing module receives first data regarding the first set of pressure sensors and generates a first digital representation of the first data. The processing module also receives second data regarding the second set of pressure sensors and generates a second digital representation of the second data. The processing module also writes the first and second digital representations to the memory.