FEM解析による前立腺触診用センサシステムの設計(機械力学,計測,自動制御)

This paper is a study on the optimum design of a palpation sensor for the diagnosis of prostate abnormalities. The palpation sensor is configured as a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film placed on a sponge rubber base. Thus, the stiffness of the sponge rubber base of the sensor is of great importance for the best discrimination of normality and abnormality. First, the elastic characteristics of real organ tissues, both normal and abnormal, are investigated. Then, FEM analysis is introduced for the optimal design of sensor and the best fit stiffness of the sponge rubber base is determined. Also verified by the FEM analysis is the effect on improvement of sensor sensitivity with a convex vulcanized rubber sheet atop of the sensor. Finally, verification test on the sensor performance is performed and good agreement between the analysis and experimental results is confirmed.