Abstract: A device is provided through which a set of information concerning tactile interaction between a manipulator and an object to be recognized is provided to the user. Several configurations are described, based on the piezo- and pyro-electric (ferroelectric) properties of polymeric materials, such as the polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF.sub.2 or PVDF), different polypeptides and copolymers of PVF.sub.2 and TrFE. By arraying in a proper way various sensing layers, each featured by different sensory capabilities, a laminated sensor structure is obtained, able to provide a set of tactile information. The multilayered structure of the proposed device is inspired to that of the human skin, which includes superficial (epidermal) and deep (dermal) sensors.

Abstract: A catheter including a support suitable for insertion into a body organ, a transducer carried by the support, the transducer including a flexible piezoelectric polymeric membrane, and a pair of surface electrodes mounted on the membrane, the support including a rigid portion defining a flexure cavity inside the catheter, the membrane being mounted on the rigid support portion to permit free flexing of the membrane into and out of the cavity, one surface of the membrane communicating with the cavity, the other surface of the membrane being exposed to the exterior of the catheter to receive and flex in response to pressure variations in the organ, and an electrical cable for transmitting from the electrodes to external circuitry electrical signals produced by said flexure.