Vanderbilt University

University of Leeds

Nicolo Garbin

Pietro Valdastri

Nabil Simaan

Keith L Obstein

Piotr Robert Slawinski

Ekawahyu Susilo

A steerable endoscope system includes a continuum manipulator, a plurality of syringes, and a steerable tip. The continuum manipulator includes a plurality of spaced discs and a plurality of backbones each extending through all discs. A bending movement of the continuum manipulator changes a varying linear displacement of each backbone. Each backbone is further coupled to a different one of the syringes such that the linear displacement of each backbone pushes or pulls a piston of the corresponding syringe by a varying amount. The steerable tip includes a plurality of bellows each pneumatically coupled to a different syringe such that movement of the piston of a syringe causes the corresponding bellow to inflate or deflate. Because the distal end of each bellow is fixedly coupled to the same end effector, variations in the amount of inflation or deflation on each bellow causes a bending of the steerable tip.

Steerable endoscope with continuum manipulator

A multi-platform modular device including a plurality of platforms or modules. Each module implements a different function and can be connected to another module via a plurality of magnetic contacts. The magnetic contacts can be used for synchronization, communication, and power delivery between the modules.

Multi-platform modular device

Growing community of inventors

Nashville, TN, United States of America

Nicolo Garbin