Patent ID: 9476692
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: A61B,G01B,G01L

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus comprising: an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end, the elongated structure being compliant material that is flexible and bendable from a linear, non-bent position to multiple bendable positions; and a first compliant capacitor oriented in a helical fashion along an axis of the elongated structure when the elongated structure is in the linear, non-bent position, wherein the first compliant capacitor comprises a first conductive layer embedded within and extending from the first end to the second end along a longitudinal length of the elongated structure to form a first electrode of the first compliant capacitor, a second conductive layer embedded within and extending from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal length to form a second electrode of the first compliant capacitor, and a first elastomer dielectric layer extending between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, wherein a first capacitance of the first compliant capacitor is measured to sense a torsional displacement of the elongated structure.