CMOS-based tactile sensor for coronary artery identification

The paper presents a novel tactile sensing device aimed at assisting an operating surgeon in locating a coronary artery and distinguishing it from a nearby cardiac vein. It may further guide him to the site of the coronary occlusion. The monolithically integrated microsensor is fabricated using an industrial CMOS process with a limited number of post-micromachining steps. Using the tonometric principle, an array of membrane capacitors can detect and monitor the pulsatile pressure variation inside a blood vessel. Artery and vein can be distinguished due to the distinctive features in their respective pulse waveforms.