Skip to main content
European Commission logo
italiano italiano
CORDIS - Risultati della ricerca dell’UE
CORDIS

Multi-sensing tool for Minimally Invasive Surgery

Descrizione del progetto

Sviluppo di strumenti innovativi per la chirurgia mini-invasiva

Le procedure di chirurgia miniinvasiva (MIS, Minimally Invasive Surgery) riducono il danno tissutale, l’esigenza di analgesici postoperatori e la perdita di sangue, diminuiscono il tempo di ospedalizzazione e offrono risultati estetici migliori. Le limitazioni della MIS includono un riscontro visivo, aptico e tattile limitato in situ, che aumenta la possibilità di danni accidentali ai tessuti. Il progetto PALPABLE, finanziato dall’UE, intende introdurre una nuova generazione di strumenti MIS, concentrandosi su un’innovativa sonda di palpazione a rilevamento tattile per l’identificazione e la visualizzazione di anomalie dei tessuti. La sonda incorporerà diverse modalità di rilevamento e un dispositivo finale flessibile ad azionamento pneumatico con sensori tattili distribuiti. La variazione dell’intensità ottica nell’elemento sensibile consentirà di identificare le variazioni della rigidità del tessuto.

Obiettivo

PALPABLE introduces a new generation of MIS (Minimally Imvasive Surgery) tools: a novel tactile sensing probe as a palpation tool for identification and visualization of tissue abnormalities. MIS has several advantages (reduced tissue damage, postoperative analgesic requirements & blood loss, decreased hospitalization time, better cosmetic results), but there is limited or none visual, haptic, and tactile feedback in-situ, along with issues of tool dexterity. These issues can lead to accidental tissue damage. The probe (diam. 5mm, length 15-20mm) incorporates multiple sensing modalities and a thin, flexible, pneumatically actuated end-effector (3DOF, 180deg) with distributed sensors for distributed tactile sensing. The probe consists of the photonic sensing elements and a sphere held at the end of a circular tunnel by a steady flow of air. The sphere is free to rotate in all directions and can move into the channel when pressed against the airflow. When rolling over tissue, the displacement depends on the tissue’s stiffness and is picked up by the optical fibre above it. Optical intensity variation in the sensing element is used to identify tissue stiffness variations. The principle of measurement used is extrinsic light intensity modulation provided through optical fibres. A non-planar photonics circuit (200μm waveguide, 8bit colour depth) for haptic sensor array is developed and interfaced with the probe; this circuit will be engraved on ultra-thin polymeric foil. The foil sensing elements are distributed around & along the probe for multiple sensor inputs for palpation (i.e. stiffness), distance and curvature that are then fused to provide the overall tissue situation. Using thin foils allows for ease of integration with the probe and a straightforward manufacturing process to enable low cost in large volumes. The end effector is made from disposable or sterilizable materials, both options will be explored for recyclability or reusability respectively.

Coordinatore

TWI ELLAS ASTIKI MI KERDOSKOPIKI ETAIREIA
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 694 680,00
Indirizzo
L KIFSIAS 280
15232 Chalandri
Grecia

Mostra sulla mappa

Regione
Αττική Aττική Βόρειος Τομέας Αθηνών
Tipo di attività
Research Organisations
Collegamenti
Costo totale
€ 694 680,00

Partecipanti (7)

Partner (2)