Abstract: A probe for detecting tactile properties of objects is described, and in particular for detecting properties of tissue during surgery. The probe 30 comprises a pressure sensor 10 mounted on a reciprocally movable rigid rod 32, and may be connected to a data processor such as a personal computer. In use, an operator applies the sensor 10 to a tissue to be examined, and the rod 32 is reciprocated. The output from the sensor 10 may be transferred to a personal computer, and compared with reference data from a healthy tissue sample. The comparison allows abnormal tissue to be detected in a relatively non-invasive manner.