43 accepted papers
Robots operating in unpredictable environments require versatile, hardware-agnostic frameworks capable of adapting to various tasks. While a recent screw-based affordance approach shows promise, it faces challenges in avoiding undesirable configurations, singularity navigation, and task success pred…
This paper introduces a novel shape-sensing approach for Concentric Tube Steerable Drilling Robots (CT-SDRs) based on Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR). Unlike traditional FBG-based methods, OFDR enables continuous strain measurement along the entire fiber length with enhanced spatial re…
Navigational bronchoscopy is critical for pulmonary interventions, yet current platforms depend heavily on pre-operative CT or external sensors, limiting their use in critical care and resource-constrained settings. Vision-only navigation offers a scalable alternative, but conventional visual odomet…
Robotic manipulation, especially of fragile and irregularly shaped objects, remains a significant challenge due to the need for both adaptability and precise tactile feedback. In this work, we introduce INTACT-GRIP, a robotic gripper that combines soft manipulation and high-resolution tactile sensin…
Inspired by the design of Vision-based Tactile Sensors (VTSs) and soft resistive strain sensors, in this paper, we introduce MINT: a vision-based soft sensor for Mutual Integration of Normal interaction force and Texture perception. MINT is a hybrid vision-based tactile sensor that simultaneously in…
To establish a foundational understanding for creating J-shaped trajectories with Concentric Tube Steerable Drilling Robots (CT-SDRs), this paper presents a systematic characterization of two operational factors: drill feed rate and rotational speed. We developed and compared a custom High-Speed Dri…
In this study, we introduce a new concept for reconstruction of Volumetric Muscle Loss (VML) injuries and propose the spatial robotic embedded bioprinting technique. As opposed to the traditional layer-by-layer printing, we leverage the support-free nature of embedded bioprinting to print spatial an
In this paper, we present a novel synergistic framework for learning shape estimation and a shape-aware whole-body control policy for tendon driven continuum robots. Our approach leverages the interaction between two Augmented Neural Ordinary Differential Equations (ANODEs) — the Shape-NODE and Cont
To address the screw loosening and pullout limitations of rigid pedicle screws in spinal fixation procedures, and to leverage our recently developed Concentric Tube Steerable Drilling Robot (CT-SDR) and Flexible Pedicle Screw (FPS), in this paper, we introduce the concept of Augmented Bridge Spinal
Spinal fixation procedures rely on pedicle screws to stabilize the vertebral column, but conventional rigid pedicle screws (RPS) face challenges such as misplacement, pullout, and loosening, particularly in patients with low bone mineral density (BMD). To overcome these limitations, we recently prop
Hysteresis in the tendons driving continuum robots is frequently regarded as a nuisance and a problem that is best avoided. Some prior work seeks to ameliorate the effects of hysteresis through the selection of materials. Others propose models of hysteresis to compensate for their effects. In this w
In this paper, we introduce S<sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sup>D: A Spatial Steerable Surgical Drilling Framework for Robotic Spinal Fixation Procedures. S<sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w
To address the challenges associated with shape sensing of continuum manipulators (CMs) using Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) optical fibers, we present a unique shape sensing assembly utilizing solely a single Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR) fiber attached to a flat nitinol wire (NiTi). Int
In this study, we introduce a simulation-based modeling framework for the optimal design of our recently developed inflatable endoscopic vision-based tactile sensing balloon (E-VTSB). Of note, E-VTSB is designed for providing a safe and high-resolution textural mapping and morphology characterizatio
Current pelvic fixation techniques rely on rigid drilling tools, which inherently constrain the placement of rigid medical screws in the complex anatomy of pelvis. These constraints prevent medical screws from following anatomically optimal pathways and force clinicians to fixate screws in linear tr
Aiming at developing a safe, intuitive, and collaborative steerable drilling robotic system for pedicle screw fixation procedures, in this paper, we leverage our recently developed steerable drilling robotic framework, and developed a collaborative drilling mode to control this system. In this contr
In this paper, a novel mathematical framework is introduced for modeling deformation behavior of Tendon-Driven Continuum Manipulators (TD-CMs) featuring discontinuous cross-sectional geometries (i.e., having flexural patterns). Leveraging this framework, we also introduce the concept of design space…
In this work, we propose a semi-autonomous scheme to synergistically share the complicated task of manipulation and cutting of an unknown deformable tissue (U-DT) between a remote surgeon and a surgical robot. Particularly, utilizing the da Vinci Research Kit (dVRK) platform, we have designed and su…
Tissue engineering techniques and particularly <i>in situ</i> bioprinting using handheld devices and robotic systems have recently demonstrated promising outcomes to address volumetric muscle loss injuries. Nevertheless, these approaches suffer from insufficient printing precision and/or lack of qua
In this paper, to collectively address the existing limitations on endoscopic diagnosis of Advanced Gastric Cancer (AGC) Tumors, for the first time, we propose (i) utilization and evaluation of our recently developed Vision-based Tactile Sensor (VTS), and (ii) a complementary Machine Learning (ML) a…
Spinal fixation procedures are currently limited by the rigidity of the existing instruments and pedicle screws leading to fixation failures and rigid pedicle screw pull out. Leveraging our recently developed Concentric Tube Steerable Drilling Robot (CT-SDR) in integration with a robotic manipulator…
In this paper, with the goal of enhancing the safety of current colonoscopic procedures and providing the pressure and location of the contact between the colonoscope and the colon’s surface, we propose design and development of a unique Soft Pressure Sensing Sleeve (SPSS). SPSS can seamlessly be in…
In this paper, we present the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a novel flexible, yet structurally strong, Concentric Tube Steerable Drilling Robot (CT-SDR) to improve minimally invasive treatment of spinal tumors. Inspired by concentric tube robots, the proposed two degree-of-freedom (DoF) CT-…
This paper proposes a smart handheld textural sensing medical device with complementary Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to enable on-site Colorectal Cancer (CRC) polyp diagnosis and pathology of excised tumors. The proposed unique handheld edge device benefits from a unique tactile sensing module a…
Communication latency in any delicate telerobotic operation (such as remote surgery over distance) would impose a significant challenge due to the temporal degradation of visual perception and can substantially affect the outcomes. Less is known, however, about the neurophysiological basis of how op…
In this paper, with the goal of addressing the high early-detection miss rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) polyps during a colonoscopy procedure, we propose the design and fabrication of a unique inflatable vision-based tactile sensing balloon (VTSB). The proposed soft VTSB can readily be integrated w…
Magnetically steerable robotic catheters (MSRC) are a promising technology for percutaneous endovascular intervention (PEI) procedures to treat peripheral arterial diseases (PAD), where magnetic actuation is used to steer the catheter tip during navigation. However, today's MSRC systems require fluo
This study proposes a novel diagnosis framework to decrease the early detection miss rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) polyps by using a hypersensitive vision-based tactile sensor (HySenSe) and a deep residual neural network. The HySenSe generates high-resolution 3D textural images of 160 realistic po…
Recent studies utilizing Affordance Templates to perform remote contact manipulation tasks with mobile manipulators have demonstrated their usefulness for modeling complex tasks allowing robots to work in uncertain environments. These efforts largely fall into the “supervised autonomy” paradigm wher
We present a novel physically-intuitive mathematical formulation to investigate the effects of a fully-constrained generic tendon routing (GTR) on the correlation between tension loss and deformation behavior of a variable-curvature tendon-driven continuum manipulator (TD-CM). The proposed model can
Concentric Tube Robots (CTR) have been gaining ground in minimally-invasive robotic surgeries due to their small footprint, compliance, and high dexterity. CTRs can assure safe interaction with soft tissue, provided that precise and effective motion control is achieved. Controlling the motion of CTR…
This paper presents a novel Pneumatic Elastomer Robot (PER), called Deterministically Adjusted Stiffness-Pneumatic Elasotmer Robot (DAS-PER), that can concurrently display preprogrammed elongation and bending behaviors. Our design methodology integrates a comprehensive analytical modeling and additi
Soft robots have shown great potential for manufacturing exoskeletons, prostheses, and surgical robots. In this paper, we propose the concept of programmable soft robotics and will experimentally evaluate the performance in the context of continuum mechanisms. The proposed novel concept is motivated
We present a novel analytical modeling approach to investigate the combined effects of external loads (i.e., contact and gravitational loads) and internal distributed friction forces on tension loss of a generic variable-curvature tendon-driven continuum manipulator (TD-CM). Unlike previous studies,
In this paper, we present an analytical modeling approach to address the problem of tension loss in a generic variable curvature tendon-driven continuum manipulators (TD-CM) occurring due to the tendon-sheath distributed friction force. Despite the previous approaches in the literature, our presente…
We present an autonomous manipulation approach for tissues with anisotropic deformation behavior using a continuum manipulator. The key feature of our vision-based study is an online learning and estimation method, which makes its implementation independent of any prior knowledge about the deformati
When robotic assistance is present into vitreoretinal surgery, the surgeon will experience reduced sensory input that is otherwise derived from the tool's interaction with the eye wall (sclera). We speculate that disconnecting the surgeon from this sensory input may increase the risk of injury to th…
We present a generic data-driven method to address the problem of manipulating a three-dimensional (3-D) compliant object (CO) with heterogeneous physical properties in the presence of unknown disturbances. In this study, we do not assume a prior knowledge about the deformation behavior of the CO an
Tracking and controlling the shape of continuum dexterous manipulators (CDM) in constraint environments is a challenging task. The imposed constraints and interaction with unknown obstacles may conform the CDM's shape and therefore demands for shape sensing methods which do not rely on direct line o…
In conventional core decompression of osteonecrosis, surgeons cannot successfully reach the whole area of the femoral head due to rigidity of the instruments currently used. To address this issue, we present design and fabrication of a novel steerable drill using a continuum dexterous manipulator (C
This paper presents the development and evaluation of concurrent control of a robotic system for less-invasive treatment of osteolytic lesions behind an acetabular implant. This system implements safety constraints including a remote center of motion (RCM), virtual walls, and joint limits while oper
A new type of cable-driven continuum manipulator (CM) is presented, in which the stiffness of the device along its body length can be controlled using the thermomechanical properties of a phase changing alloy. The liquid phase of the alloy is used for achieving high dexterity and the solid phase for
This paper focuses on the design and quantitative characterization of a debriding tool integrated with a robotic system to treat osteolysis (bone degradation). Osteolysis typically occurs due to wear of the polyethylene liner of the acetabular implant after total hip replacement surgery. In less inv