Characterization of Friction within a Novel 3 mm Wristed Robotic Instrument

Surgical robotic tools are being developed for a variety of surgical procedures that are executed within small workspaces. Novel designs of miniaturized cable-actuated surgical tools for cleft palate repair have previously been developed. However, the behavior and significance of friction within the...

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Main Authors: Caitlin Ho, Thomas Looi, Glenn Maguire, Dale J. Podolsky
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-08-01
Series:Actuators
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/13/9/326
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author Caitlin Ho
Thomas Looi
Glenn Maguire
Dale J. Podolsky
author_facet Caitlin Ho
Thomas Looi
Glenn Maguire
Dale J. Podolsky
author_sort Caitlin Ho
collection DOAJ
description Surgical robotic tools are being developed for a variety of surgical procedures that are executed within small workspaces. Novel designs of miniaturized cable-actuated surgical tools for cleft palate repair have previously been developed. However, the behavior and significance of friction within these tools are largely unknown. A study was conducted to investigate the friction in a pulleyless 3 mm diameter wristed instrument. The wrist utilizes cable guide channels that allow for miniaturization at the cost of increased friction. An experimental rig was developed to measure friction within the wrist link mechanism when the tool is positioned at various pitch angles. A strong relationship between the cable tension and the tool’s pitch angle was found as a result of friction. The cable tension increased as the pitch angle approached extreme values (percent increases in the cable tension of 33% and 67.3% at a pitch of 90° and −90°, respectively). However, the resultant cable tension was below the failure strength of the cable, indicating that the design is feasible. The results of this study would be useful to those considering the design of miniature robotic surgical tools that are cable-driven. Significant tool reduction can be achieved by employing static guide channels for the cables, forgoing the use of additional moving components like pulleys while maintaining cable tension well within its break strength. Future work in the design and optimization of novel miniaturized wrist mechanisms should consider frictional effects and their impact on mechanism function.
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spelling doaj-art-080439ca46cf4bdeae704e0b98d9f9c82025-08-20T01:56:01ZengMDPI AGActuators2076-08252024-08-0113932610.3390/act13090326Characterization of Friction within a Novel 3 mm Wristed Robotic InstrumentCaitlin Ho0Thomas Looi1Glenn Maguire2Dale J. Podolsky3Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, The University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, CanadaInstitute for Craniofacial and Cleft Innovation, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave., Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, CanadaInstitute for Craniofacial and Cleft Innovation, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave., Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, CanadaInstitute for Craniofacial and Cleft Innovation, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave., Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, CanadaSurgical robotic tools are being developed for a variety of surgical procedures that are executed within small workspaces. Novel designs of miniaturized cable-actuated surgical tools for cleft palate repair have previously been developed. However, the behavior and significance of friction within these tools are largely unknown. A study was conducted to investigate the friction in a pulleyless 3 mm diameter wristed instrument. The wrist utilizes cable guide channels that allow for miniaturization at the cost of increased friction. An experimental rig was developed to measure friction within the wrist link mechanism when the tool is positioned at various pitch angles. A strong relationship between the cable tension and the tool’s pitch angle was found as a result of friction. The cable tension increased as the pitch angle approached extreme values (percent increases in the cable tension of 33% and 67.3% at a pitch of 90° and −90°, respectively). However, the resultant cable tension was below the failure strength of the cable, indicating that the design is feasible. The results of this study would be useful to those considering the design of miniature robotic surgical tools that are cable-driven. Significant tool reduction can be achieved by employing static guide channels for the cables, forgoing the use of additional moving components like pulleys while maintaining cable tension well within its break strength. Future work in the design and optimization of novel miniaturized wrist mechanisms should consider frictional effects and their impact on mechanism function.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/13/9/326frictiontransoral robotic surgerycleft palate repairda Vinci surgical systemcable drivenrobotic-assisted surgery
spellingShingle Caitlin Ho
Thomas Looi
Glenn Maguire
Dale J. Podolsky
Characterization of Friction within a Novel 3 mm Wristed Robotic Instrument
Actuators
friction
transoral robotic surgery
cleft palate repair
da Vinci surgical system
cable driven
robotic-assisted surgery
title Characterization of Friction within a Novel 3 mm Wristed Robotic Instrument
title_full Characterization of Friction within a Novel 3 mm Wristed Robotic Instrument
title_fullStr Characterization of Friction within a Novel 3 mm Wristed Robotic Instrument
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of Friction within a Novel 3 mm Wristed Robotic Instrument
title_short Characterization of Friction within a Novel 3 mm Wristed Robotic Instrument
title_sort characterization of friction within a novel 3 mm wristed robotic instrument
topic friction
transoral robotic surgery
cleft palate repair
da Vinci surgical system
cable driven
robotic-assisted surgery
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/13/9/326
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AT glennmaguire characterizationoffrictionwithinanovel3mmwristedroboticinstrument
AT dalejpodolsky characterizationoffrictionwithinanovel3mmwristedroboticinstrument