I would go with:
2) - a replacement that works the same as the original
..in that we could tear the unit apart, if we have to even sacrifice the rubber surface that is glued on and crumbling due to its age to be replaced with a thin piece of silicone Rubber cut to size... with perhaps little paper dots in bright red placed on it to indicate the locations of the "pad switches".
The existing switches/sensors might be replaced with something more robust
The ribbon cable inside the unit might be replaced with a shielded Belden type cable and rerouted in such a way as to allow the silicon surface to sit flat and unhindered by the cable.
Then again, it makes more sense to simply design and deploy a smaller unit that sits near the snare pad as you suggest, perhaps mountable to the mounting arm that enters the snare pad..
Get well soon Richard! Speedy recovery!
2) - a replacement that works the same as the original
..in that we could tear the unit apart, if we have to even sacrifice the rubber surface that is glued on and crumbling due to its age to be replaced with a thin piece of silicone Rubber cut to size... with perhaps little paper dots in bright red placed on it to indicate the locations of the "pad switches".
The existing switches/sensors might be replaced with something more robust
The ribbon cable inside the unit might be replaced with a shielded Belden type cable and rerouted in such a way as to allow the silicon surface to sit flat and unhindered by the cable.
Then again, it makes more sense to simply design and deploy a smaller unit that sits near the snare pad as you suggest, perhaps mountable to the mounting arm that enters the snare pad..
Get well soon Richard! Speedy recovery!