Friction Forces of Micropatterned Elastomers with Carbon Fibre Fabric Reinforcement on Soft Substrates

Gecko-inspired adhesives mimic the external structure of geckos with micropatterned surfaces and the internal structure by fabric reinforcement in soft elastomer adhesive pads. Previous research measured the friction forces of synthetic adhesives, with either an external or internal structure, mainly on hard substrates. Much less is known about...

Capillary-based gripping for laparoscopic bowel surgery

Lifting an object by capillary forces is mostly done with a single liquid bridge which connects the target object to a probe. In this work the potential of capillary forces for soft-tissue manipulation is investigated; not only a single liquid bridge is used, but multiple bridges as well since capillary forces can be enhanced by contact...

On the mimicking of geckos and tree frogs for adhering to soft substrates

<b>Background</b>: Soft-tissue grip is a challenge in minimally invasive surgery. Grasping instruments used in clinical practice require high pinch forces in order to generate sufficient grip for manipulating soft tissue without slipping.<br/>In nature, several animals employ adhesion in order to grip on, not only hard, but also soft substrates....

Effect of the Tip Shape on the Steerability of a Bioinspired Needle

From the Wasp Ovipositor to a 3D Steerable Needle for Solid-Tissue Interventions: A Design and Experimental Approach

In many percutaneous interventions, such as biopsies and brachytherapy, accuracy in reaching a specific target inside the human body is necessary for the success of the procedure. Maneuvering to the target site is challenging, particularly if sensitive structures such as blood vessels have to be avoided. For maneuvering along a curved trajectory,...

Ovipositor-inspired needle insertion without a net push force

Abstract—As current rigid needles follow straight line trajectories, limiting the path planning possibilities in minimally invasive surgical approaches, research into steerable needle instruments becomes necessary. This article outlines the development of a four-part needle prototype inspired by the ovipositor of parasitic wasps and designed to...

Printing green

Printing is indispensible in a lot of businesses. Although the use of digital media is on the rise the need for permanent printed media is still quite stable. However, the high price of printer cartridges coupled with the frustration of having to change them ever so often, places a huge burden on consumers. Almost 70% of the total ownership cost...

Development of an adhesive grasper for Minimally Invasive Surgery

Laparoscopic graspers require a high pinch force to generate sufficient friction force (grip) for tissue manipulation. Excessive or insufficient pinch forces distributed along the small contact area of laparoscopic graspers can cause damage and are one of the reasons why the risk of intraoperative complications during Minimally Invasive Surgery ...