Posted on Oct 15, 2015, 6 a.m.
Robotically steering flexible needles are capable of reaching the intended target in tissue with sub-millimeter level accuracy.
Scientists from The University of Twente (The Netherlands) have developed a robot-assisted system for steering flexible needles with an asymmetric tip. These robotically steering flexible needles can reach their intended target in tissue with sub-millimeter level accuracy. As well, these robotically steering flexible needles can more readily avoid obstacles or sensitive tissues and are capable of reorientation in real time.
Vrooijink GJ, Abayazid M, Patil S, Alterovitz R, Misra S. “Needle path planning and steering in a three-dimensional non-static environment using two-dimensional ultrasound images.” Int J Rob Res. 2014 Sep;33(10):1361-1374.