Patent ID: 8347738

Claim:
A force and position sensor for active catheters, comprising: a. at least one active interventional catheter, wherein said interventional catheter comprises a first end and a second end, wherein said interventional catheter first end is inserted to a body lumen, wherein said interventional catheter second end is outside said body lumen; b. at least one serpentine shape force and position sensor, wherein said serpentine shape sensor comprises a material in a generally stable temperature and austenite state, wherein said serpentine shape sensor comprises a first electrode disposed at a first serpentine shape sensor end and a second electrode disposed at a second serpentine shape sensor end, wherein said force and position sensor is incorporated proximal to said interventional catheter first end, wherein an electrical resistance across said force and position sensor changes according to a displacement of said interventional catheter first end, wherein a measure of a force and a position on said interventional catheter first end is attained, wherein tactile force and position of said catheter first end is communicated from said interventional catheter first end to said interventional catheter second end, wherein said force and position sensor comprises a compression spring, wherein said spring is disposed at said first catheter end, wherein a resistance of said spring changes with strain, wherein said sensor detects axial forces at said first catheter end.