A Soft Pneumatic Inchworm Double balloon (SPID) for colonoscopy

Luigi Manfredi (Lead / Corresponding author), Elisabetta Capoccia, Gastone Ciuti, Alfred Cuschieri

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    75 Citations (Scopus)
    212 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    The design of a smart robot for colonoscopy is challenging because of the limited available space, slippery internal surfaces, and tortuous 3D shape of the human colon. Locomotion forces applied by an endoscopic robot may damage the colonic wall and/or cause pain and discomfort to patients. This study reports a Soft Pneumatic Inchworm Double balloon (SPID) mini-robot for colonoscopy consisting of two balloons connected by a 3 degrees of freedom soft pneumatic actuator. SPID has an external diameter of 18 mm, a total length of 60 mm, and weighs 10 g. The balloons provide anchorage into the colonic wall for a bio-inspired inchworm locomotion. The proposed design reduces the pressure applied to the colonic wall and consequently pain and discomfort during the procedure. The mini-robot has been tested in a deformable plastic colon phantom of similar shape and dimensions to the human anatomy, exhibiting efficient locomotion by its ability to deform and negotiate flexures and bends. The mini-robot is made of elastomer and constructed from 3D printed components, hence with low production costs essential for a disposable device
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number11109
    Pages (from-to)1-9
    Number of pages9
    JournalScientific Reports
    Volume9
    Early online date31 Jul 2019
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 31 Jul 2019

    Keywords

    • Biomedical engineering
    • Mechanical engineering
    • Physical examination
    • Polymers

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General

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