Patent ID: 8721565

Claim:
A device for providing effective contact between a sensor and tissue, comprising: a structure; a duct system, associated with said structure, said duct system comprising two or more orifices at the proximal end of the structure; a suction source operatively connected to said duct system; said duct system and said suction source configured to exert a first force on a tissue at said orifices and to fix the tissue to said structure, so as to immobilize the tissue; a mechanism, associated with said structure, said mechanism comprising a piston, a spring, and a sensor; said sensor is on the proximal end of said piston; said mechanism configured to press the sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue and to thereby exert a second force on the immobilized tissue; at least one connection between the mechanism and the duct system; and said spring positioned between a portion of the piston and a portion of the structure, such that said spring is configured to regulate the second force when compressed, wherein said piston and structure are configured to cause the spring to be compressed via vacuum from the suction source when vacuum is applied to duct system; wherein said mechanism is configured to exert the second force in a direction opposite to said first force and to force the immobilized tissue against the sensor while the duct system and suction source immobilizes the tissue; wherein said structure, duct system, suction source, and mechanism combined are configured to bring about an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue by simultaneously immobilizing the tissue, pressing the sensor against the external surface of the immobilized tissue, and regulating the force applied by the sensor with compression of the spring controlled by the vacuum.