For those who can read Swedish, click on the article above for a larger version (291kb)!  Also, a correction in the headline: the proper Swedish term is "gron starr," meaning "glaucoma", not "g starr".

This article appeared in a local Swedish newspaper and announces the establishment of a new company in Sweden.  BioResonator AB is involved in the research and development of their own new and innovative products based on the Biosensor technology and will also be the exclusive distributor of the Axiom Venustron and other Axiom products for the EU market.

Please see the Sweden page for more information regarding this!

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In order to enhance the Biosensor's sensitivity and abilities, on 1 September 2000, Axiom established a supplementary research center in Miyagi Prefecture near Sendai.  (Click the map at left to see its location.)  Research activities at this facility are led by the highly experienced Professor Tetsuo Yoshida, a specialist in the properties of ceramics.  Research themes include new vibration methods, miniaturization, disposability, better sterilization and waterproofing methods, and standard uniformity across all PZT elements in use by Axiom.  Please see the Contact Information page for contact details.

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December 1998, Volume 42, No. 12, p. 5

Axiom Company of Fukushima has developed a biosensor, dubbed Venustron, for objective measurement of the elasticity of skin and muscle, among others, through the utilization of tactile sensor technology.

In use, the Venustron is linked to a personal computer. Monitoring takes place when the unit's sensor tip is applied to the test spot and vertically vibrated in 0.025 mm steps by a special motor. The stick-type sensor is made of piezoelectric ceramics covered with aluminum.

Elasticity is measured in terms of vibrational frequency, which is related to the strength of the force applied. The Axiom Biosensor is also able to accurately and objectively measure softness/hardness, a quality that has customarily been monitored subjectively with the finger.

Principle of Axiom Biosensor

The measurement procedure is simple, virtually replicating the action of the human finger. All that is required is to press the Biosensor to the object to be measured. Results are then displayed on a real-time basis.

The range of measurement is wide, from very soft items such as silicone rubber to hard items like steel plate.

Since the Axiom Biosensor monitors differences in acoustic impedance to determine the elasticity of an object, it is subject to very few restrictions.

In theory, it is possible to measure any substance or object that can be felt by human touch. The new Venustron was specifically developed to monitor the subtle effects of cosmetics on human skin and muscle, which have been very difficult, if not impossible, to determine.

The listed measurement values were obtained by pressing the Axiom Biosensor to the object for two seconds. The numerical values show changes in vibrational frequency, which attenuates for soft objects and increases for hard objects.

Table: Values measured by the Axiom Biosensor

The tactile sensor unit of the newly developed Venustron is driven by a motor to a designated depth; it then reverses and returns to the start position.

The sensor measures not only the softness/hardness of objects but also their elasticity, both at the same time.

Results are displayed in four types of graph: (1) Time series graph of tactile sense, pressure, and displacement (2) Hysteretic graph of pressure and displacement (3) Hysteretic graph of tactile sense and displacement (4) Hysteretic graph of tactile sense and pressure.

The tactile sensor system of the Venustron comprises the following units.

(1) Probe: The probe incorporates a tactile sensor, pressure sensor, and displacement sensor. The tactile sensor is mounted on the tactile sensor unit, and the pressure sensor and motor mechanism are mounted at the rear.

(2) Control unit: The control unit supplies power to each sensor in the probe, and outputs signals from each sensor through the feedback circuit of the tactile sensor and interface circuits.

(3) Measurement software: The software displays signals input to the computer in graph form. Software differs according to the type of sensor.

(4) Computer: DOS-V/Windows95 laptop model. An RS232C interface is used.

(5) Cables: Connect to each unit.

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