DR. ROBERT D GOLDEN, MD
Medical Practice in Boston, MA

4734034, Mar 29, 1988

Mar 29, 1985

6/717532

William L. Maness - Boston MA
Robert F. Golden - Boston MA
Michael H. Benjamin - Boston MA
Robert M. Podoloff - Boston MA

Sentek, Incorporated - Cambridge MA

A61C 1904

433 68

A contact sensor for detecting points on a grid where the sensor is being contacted on opposing sides by teeth surfaces or other contacting points. The contact sensor includes two sets of parallel electrodes which are each formed of a thin, flexible supporting sheet. The electrodes are coated with a thin, resistive coating. Two such electrode structures are oriented at approximately right angles to create a grid where the intersecting electrodes cross separated by the resistive coatings. The resistive coatings may be made from conventional resisitive inks and are optionally separated by a separation material, such as talcum or mesh. In the absence of an external force, the material between the electrodes sets provides a high resistance between intersecting electrodes. The novel composition of the intermediate layer results in a structure which provides a "switching" effect such that the resistance between electrodes is very high where there is no external pressure and changes to a comparatively low value at locations where external pressure is applied by two contacting points or surfaces. The sensor output is dynamic in the sense that the resistance will change back and forth between high and low resistance states as external pressure is repeatedly applied and removed.

4856993, Aug 15, 1989

Oct 2, 1987

7/104731

William L. Maness - Boston MA
Robert F. Golden - Boston MA
Michael H. Benjamin - Quincy MA
Robert M. Podoloff - Cambridge MA

Tekscan, Inc. - Boston MA

A61C 1904

433 68

A contact sensor for detecting points on a grid where the sensor is being contacted on opposing sides by teeth surfaces or other contacting points. The sensor is especially useful for measuring dental occlusion. The contact sensor includes two sets of parallel electrodes which are each formed on a thin, flexible supporting sheet. The electrodes are separated by a thin, pressure-sensitive resistive coating such as molydenum disulphide. Two such electrode structures are oriented at approximately right angles to create a grid where the intersecting electrodes cross separated by the resistive coatings. Several arrangements of resistive coating over electrodes as disclosed. In the absence of an external force, the material between the electrodes sets provides a high resistance between intersecting electrodes. The resistance between electrode intersections changes as pressure on opposite sides of the intersection changes. The sensor output is dynamic in that the resistance will vary as external pressure is repeatedly applied and removed.

5033291, Jul 23, 1991

Dec 11, 1989

7/448127

Robert M. Podoloff - Framingham MA
Michael H. Benjamin - Quincy MA
Jay Winters - Andover MA
Robert F. Golden - Boston MA

Tekscan, Inc. - Boston MA

A61B 500, G01M 1900

73172

A force and pressure sensor is provided having two sets of parallel electrodes which are positioned facing one another and arranged so that electrodes of one set cross the electrodes of the second set at an angle to create a plurality of electrode intersections. Pressure-sensitive resistive material lies between the electrodes at each intersection. An adhesive layer is applied to at least one of the electrode sets in areas between electrode intersections to secure the first and second electrode sets in facing relationship, the adhesive layer preferably being applied in a pattern which provides passages where the adhesive layer does not exist to allow air to escape from interior areas of the electrode set. The thickness of the adhesive layer may be adjusted to permit preloading or to provide a threshold level for the sensor. In order to permit electrodes of the electrode set to be trimmed around their periphery, electrical contact to each electrode of the electrode sets is made intermediate the ends of the electrodes.