Force sensitive hook for epiretinal membrane peeling in eye surgery

This project addresses the design, construction and evaluation of a peeling hook with force measurement capability for in-vivo intra-ocular vitreoretinal surgery. The force sensor consists of a miniature multi-degree-offreedom flexure where deformations induced by contact forces are measured using optical fiber white light interferometry. This instrument will be used for epiretinal membrane peeling procedures and should then lead to the creation of a new generation of force sensitive surgical tools.