Incision Sensor Using Conductive Tape for Cricothyrotomy Training Simulation With Quantitative Feedback

Abstract

Cricothyrotomy procedures, involving risky incisions on the neck skin and internal membranes, require rigorous training. In this paper, a novel incision sensor measuring the incision path in a cricothyrotomy training simulation is proposed. The sensor provides quantitative feedback to trainees on their incision practice, enhancing the effectiveness of the simulation. The sensor measures the electric potential, which decreases monotonically along the direction of current flow on the conductive material at the incision point, and converts it to coordinate values, based on the relationship between the electric potential and the position. The sensor comprises three layers of conductive tape, which are electrically isolated by two dielectric layers, and is fabricated as a thin film. The first two conductive layers (driving layers) are alternately energized to create distributions of electric potential in the $x$ or $y$ directions across the sensor plane. The third conductive layer (sensing layer), placed under the driving layers, transfers the electric potential to the output channel of the sensor at the point where a metal blade creates a short circuit between the energized driving layer and the sensing layer. The alternating measurements are converted to $x$ and $y$ coordinates of the incision position. The experiments for characterization and performance validation were performed using sensor prototypes fabricated with the proposed design and fabrication procedures. The experimental results show that the proposed sensor facilitates the measurement of the incision paths aligned with and diagonal to the $x$ and $y$ axes within root mean square errors of 0.98 and 1.03 mm, respectively.