The basic features and the performance characteristics of a transducer to measure in-vitro static pressure distribution at the articular interfaces of intact synovial joints are described. Pressure distribution is interpreted from the microindentation pattern left on a thin plastic material, the indenter and the plastic material having been subjected to load between the articular surfaces. The effects of the finite thickness and compliance of the transducer and the effects of the time-dependent response properties of the articular cartilage on the accuracy of measurement have been estimated by means of specific experiments and analyses.