A team from Cornell has created, and is developing, a self-advancing microprobe that can measure the stiffness of material it penetrates, for use in reproductive medicine and diagnostics.
Ramkumar A. et al, "Ultrasonic Microprobe Based Tubular Size Assay", IEEE International Ultrasonic Symposium, 28th-31st October, 2007 (in print)
Background on the testicular sperm extraction procedure:
P. N. Schlegel (1999) Testicular sperm extraction: microdissection improves sperm yield with minimal tissue excision. Human Reproduction 14(1) 131-135.
Related publications and patents by Lal and Ramkumar:
Chen, X, Lal, A. (2001) Integrated Pressure and Flow Sensor in Silicon-based Ultrasonic Surgical Actuator," IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society Symposium, Atlanta.
Amit Lal. (1996) "Micromachined Silicon Ultrasonic Longitudinal Mode Actuators: Theory and Applications to Surgery, Pumping, and Atomization," Ph.D. Dissertation, University of California, Berkeley. pp. 1-175.