Silicone retractor with embedded force-sensing function for attachment to surgical suction pipes

A silicone retractor that can be attached to suction pipes was developed in order to enhance the usability [1]. The measurement of the retracting force is desired in order to avoid damage to brain tissue due to an unexpected large force. This paper presents a force-sensing embedded silicone retractor that can be attached to suction pipes. The developed silicone retractor can provide three functions at the same time: suction, retracting, and retracting force measurement. The force-sensing system is based on a visualization mechanism that displays the force as a colored pole motion. The surgeon can then roughly estimate the retracting force. With a fiberscope, the retracting force can be measured with a resolution of 0.05-0.3 N. The retractor is made of silicone and has the advantages of disposability, low cost, and easy sterilization/disinfection. The system was validated through finite element method analysis and experiments. © 2015 IEEE.IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, AIM 2015; BEXCOBusan; South Korea; 7 July 2015 through 11 July 2015; Category numberCFP15775-ART; Code 11713

Incompressible Liquid Based Force Sensible Silicone Retractor Attachable to Surgical Suction Instruments

This paper presents a silicone retractor, which is a continuation and extension of a previously developed system that had the same three functions as the old version: 1) retracting, 2) suction, and 3) force sensing. These features make the retractor a safe choice for use in neurosurgery. Suction is achieved by attaching the retractor to a suction pipe. The retractor has a deformation area filled with an incompressible liquid that is displaced in proportion to the extent of deformation; fiberscopes or human eyes detecting the displacement get a visual representation of the force. The new design improves on the old one in three ways—miniaturization, made possible by the incompressible-liquid-based mechanism, and measurement of force distribution by distribution of the areas deformed by force. The system was validated by conducting experiments

Cumulative Index to NASA Tech Briefs, 1963 - 1966

Cumulative index of NASA Tech Briefs dealing with electrical and electronic, physical science and energy sources, materials and chemistry, life science, and mechanical innovation

Cumulative index to NASA Tech Briefs, 1963-1967

Cumulative index to NASA survey on technology utilization of aerospace research outpu

Medical Robotics

The first generation of surgical robots are already being installed in a number of operating rooms around the world. Robotics is being introduced to medicine because it allows for unprecedented control and precision of surgical instruments in minimally invasive procedures. So far, robots have been used to position an endoscope, perform gallbladder surgery and correct gastroesophogeal reflux and heartburn. The ultimate goal of the robotic surgery field is to design a robot that can be used to perform closed-chest, beating-heart surgery. The use of robotics in surgery will expand over the next decades without any doubt. Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) is a revolutionary approach in surgery. In MIS, the operation is performed with instruments and viewing equipment inserted into the body through small incisions created by the surgeon, in contrast to open surgery with large incisions. This minimizes surgical trauma and damage to healthy tissue, resulting in shorter patient recovery time. The aim of this book is to provide an overview of the state-of-art, to present new ideas, original results and practical experiences in this expanding area. Nevertheless, many chapters in the book concern advanced research on this growing area. The book provides critical analysis of clinical trials, assessment of the benefits and risks of the application of these technologies. This book is certainly a small sample of the research activity on Medical Robotics going on around the globe as you read it, but it surely covers a good deal of what has been done in the field recently, and as such it works as a valuable source for researchers interested in the involved subjects, whether they are currently “medical roboticists” or not

Force-Sensing Silicone Retractor for Attachment to Surgical Suction Pipes

This paper presents a novel force-sensing silicone retractor that can be attached to a surgical suction pipe to improve the usability of the suction and retraction functions during neurosurgery. The retractor enables simultaneous utilization of three functions: suction, retraction, and retraction-force sensing. The retractor also reduces the number of tool changes and ensures safe retraction through visualization of the magnitude of the retraction force. The proposed force-sensing system is based on a force visualization mechanism through which the force is displayed in the form of motion of a colored pole. This enables surgeons to estimate the retraction force. When a fiberscope or camera is present, the retractor enables measurement of the retraction force with a resolution of 0.05 N. The retractor has advantages of being disposable, inexpensive, and easy to sterilize or disinfect. Finite element analysis and experiments demonstrate the validity of the proposed force-sensing system

Space Shuttle news reference

A detailed description of the space shuttle vehicle and associated subsystems is given. Space transportation system propulsion, power generation, environmental control and life support system and avionics are among the topics. Also, orbiter crew accommodations and equipment, mission operations and support, and flight crew complement and crew training are addressed

NASA Tech Briefs, Spring/Summer 1982

Topics covered include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology. New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; and Machinery