Development of a biomedical tissue differentiation system using piezoelectric actuators

In neurosurgery, delineation of tumor boundaries during resection of brain tumors is of substantial relevance. During operation distinction between tumor and healthy tissue rely on the abilities of the surgeon based on visual and tactile differentiation. In this paper a high sensitivity actuator-sensor system using a piezoelectric bimorph is presented. Frequency shift and transfer function of the bimorphpsilas voltages are detected and evaluated. Sensorpsilas sensitivity is evaluated using two frequency controls strategies: A phase-locked loop (PLL) and a self-oscillating circuit. Results of measurements conducted on gel-phantoms are presented and discussed.