Paper-Based Flexible Taxel Device Using Electrical Contact Resistance Variation for Elasticity Measurement on Biological Objects

A taxel device on flexible substrates based on the electrical contact resistance (ECR) variation mechanism is developed. The proposed taxel device consists of one top and one bottom substrates, which are coated with conductive polymer then face-to-face assembled. The device is tested with different substrate materials to show the viability of the ECR variation mechanism. It is found that when paper is used as the substrate material, because of its exclusive features of surface roughness and material compressibility, the ECR variation mechanism is greatly enhanced and the device exhibits higher sensitivity and larger working pressure range. Practical applications are investigated in elasticity measurement on phantom samples and biological tissues. The results are promising with our taxel device made on flexible substrates being capable of integration onto surgical tools and the potential to realize the psychical property of biological tissues.