A Flexure-based Deployable Stereo Vision Mechanism and Temperature and Force Sensors for Laparoscopic Tools

This paper presents concepts, designs, and working prototypes of enhanced laparoscopic surgical tools. The enhancements are in equipping the tool with force and temperature sensing as well as image acquisition for stereo vision. Just as the pupils of our eyes are adequately spaced out and the distance between them is adjustable, two minute cameras mounted on a mechanism in our design can be moved closer or farther apart inside the inflated abdomen during the surgery. The cameras are fitted to a deployable mechanism consisting of flexural joints so that they can be inserted through a small incision and then deployed and moved as needed.A temperature sensor and a force sensor are mounted on either of the gripping faces of the surgical grasping tool to measure the temperature and gripping force, which need to be controlled for safe laparoscopic surgery. The sensors are small enough and hence they do not cause interference during surgery and insertion.Prototyping and working of the enhanced laparoscopic tool are presented with details

Integrating optical fiber force sensors into microforceps for ORL microsurgery

The delicate anatomy of the ear require surgeons to use great care when operating on its internal structures. One example for such an intervention is the stapedectomy, where a small crook shaped piston is placed in the oval window of the cochlea and connected to the incus through crimping thus bypassing the diseased stapes. Performing the crimp process with the correct force is necessary since loose crimps poorly transmit sound whereas tight crimps will eventually result in necrosis of the incus. Clinically, demand is high to reproducibly conduct the crimp process through a precise force measurement. For this reason, we have developed a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) integrated microforceps for use in such interventions. This device was calibrated, and tested in cadaver preparations. With this instrument we were able to measure for the first time forces involved in crimping a stapes prosthesis to the incus. We also discuss a method of attaching and actuating such forceps in conjunction with a robot currently under development in our group. Each component of this system can be used separately or combined to improve surgical accuracy, confidence and outcome.

DESIGN AND APPLICATION OF WIRELESS PASSIVE MAGNETOELASTIC RESONANCE AND MAGNETOHARMONIC FORCE SENSORS

The objective of the work described in this dissertation is the development of new wireless passive force monitoring platforms for applications in the medical field, specifically monitoring lower limb prosthetics. The developed sensors consist of stress sensitive, magnetically soft amorphous metallic glass materials. The first technology is based on magnetoelastic resonance. Specifically, when exposed to an AC excitation field along with a constant DC bias field, the magnetoelastic material mechanically vibrates, and may reaches resonance if the field frequency matches the mechanical resonant frequency of the material. The presented work illustrates that an applied loading pins portions of the strip, effectively decreasing the strip length, which results in an increase in the frequency of the resonance. The developed technology is deployed in a prototype lower limb prosthetic sleeve for monitoring forces experienced by the distal end of the residuum. This work also reports on the development of a magnetoharmonic force sensor comprised of the same material. According to the Villari effect, an applied loading to the material results in a change in the permeability of the magnetic sensor which is visualized as an increase in the higher-order harmonic fields of the material. Specifically, by applying a constant low frequency AC field and sweeping the applied DC biasing field, the higher-order harmonic components of the magnetic response can be visualized. This sensor technology was also instrumented onto a lower limb prosthetic for proof of deployment; however, the magnetoharmonic sensor illustrated complications with sensor positioning and a necessity to tailor the interface mechanics between the sensing material and the surface being monitored. The novelty of these two technologies is in their wireless passive nature which allows for long term monitoring over the life time of a given device. Additionally, the developed technologies are low cost. Recommendations for future works include improving the system for real-time monitoring, useful for data collection outside of a clinical setting.

A new method for extending the range of conductive polymer sensors for contact force

This paper describes a technique for extending the force range of thin conductive polymer force sensors used for measuring contact force. These sensors are conventionally used for measuring force by changing electrical resistance when they are compressed. The new method involves measuring change in electrical resistance when the flexible sensor, which is sensitive to both compression and bending, is sandwiched between two layers of spring steel, and the structure is supported on a thin metal ring. When external force is applied, the stiffened sensor inside the spring steel is deformed within the annular center of the ring, causing the sensor to bend in proportion to the applied force. This method effectively increases the usable force range, while adding little in the way of thickness and weight. Average error for loads between 10 N and 100 N was 2.2 N (SD = 1.7) for a conventional conductive polymer sensor, and 0.9 N (SD = 0.4) using the new approach. Although this method permits measurement of greater loads with an error less than 1 N, it is limited since the modified sensor is insensitive to loads less than 5 N. These modified sensors are nevertheless useful for directly measuring normal force applied against handles and tools and other situations involving forceful manual work activities, such as grasp, push, pull, or press that could not otherwise be measured in actual work situations.

Force controlled hexapod walking

In this paper we describe the dynamic simulation of an 18 degrees of freedom hexapod robot with the objective of developing control algorithms for smooth, efficient and robust walking in irregular terrain. This is to be achieved by using force sensors in addition to the conventional joint angle sensors as proprioceptors. The reaction forces on the feet of the robot provide the necessary information on the robots interaction with the terrain. As a first step we validate the simulator by implementing movement control by joint torques using PID controllers. As an unexpected by-product we find that it is simple to achieve robust walking behaviour on even terrain for a hexapod with the help of PID controllers and by specifying a trajectory of only a few joint configurations.

Force controlled hexapod walking

This thesis is a study on controlling methods for six-legged robots. The study is based on mathematical modeling and simulation. A new joint controller is proposed and tested in simulation that uses joint angles and leg reaction force as inputs to generate a torque, and a method to optimise this controller is formulated and validated. Simulation shows that hexapod can walk on flat ground based on PID controllers with just four target configurations and a set of leg coordination rules, which provided the basis for the design of the new controller.

Using the Own Flexibility of a Climbing Robot as a Double Force Sensor

Force sensors are used when interaction tasks are carried out by robots in general, and by climbing robots in particular. If the mechanics and electronics systems are contained inside the own robot, the robot becomes portable without external control. Commercial force sensors cannot be used due to limited space and weight. By selecting the links material with appropriate stiffness and placing strain gauges on the structure, the own robot flexibility can be used such as force sensor. Thus, forces applied on the robot tip can be measured without additional external devices. Only gauges and small internal electronic converters are necessary. This paper illustrates the proposed algorithm to achieve these measurements. Additionally, experimental results are presented.

Force sensor of a climbing robot derived from its own flexible structure

One of the most important design constraints of a climbing robot is its own weight. When links or legs are used as a locomotion system they tend to be composed of special lightweight materials, or four-bars-linkage mechanisms are designed to reduce the weight with small rigidity looses. In these cases, flexibility appears and undesirable effects, such as dynamics vibrations, must be avoided at least when the robot moves at low speeds. The knowledge of the real tip position requires the computation of its compliance or stiffness matrix and the external forces applied to the structure. Gravitational forces can be estimated, but external tip forces need to be measured. This paper proposes a strain gauge system which achieves the following tasks: (i) measurement of the external tip forces, and (ii) estimation of the real tip position (including flexibility effects). The main advantages of the proposed system are: (a) the use of external force sensors is avoided, and (b) a substantial reduction of the robot weight is achieved in comparison with other external force measurement systems. The proposed method is applied to a real symmetric climbing robot and experimental results are presented.

Force Sensor Characterization Under Sinusoidal Excitations

The aim in the current work is the development of a method to characterize force sensors under sinusoidal excitations using a primary standard as the source of traceability. During this work the influence factors have been studied and a method to minimise their contributions, as well as the corrections to be performed under dynamic conditions have been established. These results will allow the realization of an adequate characterization of force sensors under sinusoidal excitations, which will be essential for its further proper use under dynamic conditions. The traceability of the sensor characterization is based in the direct definition of force as mass multiplied by acceleration. To do so, the sensor is loaded with different calibrated loads and is maint ained under different sinusoidal accelerations by means of a vibration shaker system that is able to generate accelerations up to 100 m/s2 with frequencies from 5 Hz up to 2400 Hz. The acceleration is measured by means of a laser vibrometer with traceabili ty to the units of time and length. A multiple channel data acquisition system is also required to simultaneously acquire the electrical output signals of the involved instrument in real time.

微操作与微装配中微力感知方法的综述

本文介绍了微力感知的各种方法,分析了每种感知方法的基本原理、检测精度及适用范围,并对微装配与微操作中微力传感器的应用作了简要的回顾。在微操作与微装配中,实现可靠的微力感知是目前研究的重要目标之一。本文通过对各种微力感知方法的基本原理进行研究,总结出六大类方法的特点、检测精度以及适宜的使用场合。目的是为从事微力感知研究的学者提供参考,进而促进微装配和微操作的自动化加工技术水平,实现微型装备的可靠、高产量的批量制造。

基于PVDF的亚μN微力传感器的研究

本文设计了一种新颖的微力感知传感器及其标定方法,以获得亚μN(micro Newton)的可靠的、高精度力反馈信息。可靠的、高精度的微力感知和控制在提高微装配的效率上具有重要的作用。目前微装配中还没有可靠的亚μN分辨率的传感器。本文以PVDF(polyvinylidene fluoride)为基本材料,建立出PVDF传感器所受的微力与输出电压之间的关系模型,开发出相应的信号处理电路,并对PVDF传感器的上述模型进行了标定。实验结果表明本文开发的PVDF传感器具有亚μN的分辨率,同时验证了本文建立的PVDF传感器模型的正确性,并证明了信号处理电路以及标定方法是有效的。本文设计的微力传感器为微装配和微操作中微接触力的反馈控制提供了可靠的解决方法,并将促进微装配和微操作的自动化加工技术水平,实现微型装备的可靠、高产量的批量制造。

基于结构变形的大型并联六维力传感器精度研究

为了研究结构变形对大型六维力传感器精度的影响,基于螺旋理论及影响系数方法,并借助位姿解建立了考虑结构整体变形条件下Stewart平台六维力传感器测量误差模型,推导出并联六维力传感器测量的I,II类误差表达式,分析了在不同外载下,六维力传感器Ⅰ,Ⅱ类误差,总结了结构变形和平台自重对传感器测量精度的影响规律,为具有普通球形铰链大型Stewart平台六维力传感器标定方案的选择和精度的改善提供了理论基础。

一种基于反作用力的仿人机器人ZMP建模与测量

“零力矩点”是判定仿人机器人动态稳定运动的重要指标。本文根据零力矩点的概念,利用机器人车体的几何及动力学关系,建立基于反作用力的正交轮式移动仿人机器人的零力矩点模型;提出了基于电流传感器、电机编码器等传感器的零力矩点的实时测量方法,并给出了该方法的结构框图。由于轮式移动仿人机器人与地面呈点式接触,难于安装力传感器,所以这种方法尤其适用于轮式移动仿人机器人。

仿人机器人控制系统的研究与实现

根据仿人机器人控制性能的要求,设计开发了关节控制器,并通过CAN总线把各个关节控制器、力传感器及上位机连接在一起,构成了分布式控制系统.利用无线局域网技术,实现了语音、视频等多媒体信息的传输,把监控台、头部、上身和移动平台连接在一起,构成了仿人机器人完整的控制系统.最后提出了一些设想以提高系统的性能.

仿人机器人系统的研究与实现

针对仿人机器人的结构和控制性能的要求,设计开发了机器人的关节控制器,并利用CAN总线把各个关节和力传感器及上位机连接在一起,构成了有效可靠的分布式控制系统;利用无线局域网技术,实现了语音、视频等多媒体信息的传输,构成了仿人机器人完整的控制系统。最后提出了一些设想以提高系统的性能。