Abstract: In a joint movement device for selective flexion and extension of a joint, a tendon is disposed adjacent to the first and second joint members. A tendon securing device is secured to the second joint member, the tendon being secured to the tendon securing device. At least one phalange ring is secured to a joint member and includes a tending routing mechanism configured to route the tendon through the phalange ring. An actuator is coupled to the tendon and pulls the tendon inwardly to cause the joint to flex. An elastic member is coupled to the phalange ring and tendon securing device and applies an extension force thereto, thereby causing the joint to extend when the actuator releases the tendon.

Abstract: In a joint movement device (100) for selective flexion and extension of a joint (20), a tendon (120) is disposed adjacent to the first and second joint members. A tendon securing device (112) is secured to the second joint member (12), the tendon (120) being secured to the tendon securing device (112). At least one phalange ring (110) is secured to a joint member and includes a tending routing mechanism (113) configured to route the tendon through the phalange ring (110). An actuator (140) is coupled to the tendon (120) and pulls the tendon (120) inwardly to cause the joint (20) to flex. An elastic member (130) is coupled to the phalange ring (110) and tendon securing device (112) and applies an extension force thereto, thereby causing the joint (20) to extend when the actuator (140) releases the tendon (120).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can include a system for steering a guidewire comprising: a guidewire tip integrably connected to a guidewire, the guidewire tip comprising a hollow body having first joint and second joints comprising a plurality of asymmetric recesses in the hollow body; a plurality of tendons operably connected to the first and second joints; and a control unit operably connected to the tendons and configured to actuate the tendons to provide multiple degrees of freedom of movement to the guidewire tip.

Abstract: A MEM-based device and method of fabrication, the device comprising a biochip substrate comprising one or more compliant materials, a plurality of mechanical and electrical micro-sensors configured in an array to simultaneously measure electrical and mechanical properties of a sample, wherein a first mechanical micro-sensor is formed as a patterned layer of at least one of the compliant materials, wherein the patterned layer is coupled to a first pillar comprising a dielectric material formed onto the compliant materials, the first pillar being coated with a metal film at a contact surface with the sample and along a side of the first pillar to act as a conductive probe for the first electrical micro-sensor, and wherein the first pillar is formed on the first mechanical micro-sensor to transfer a force to the first mechanical micro-sensor.

Abstract: The current disclosure generally relates to systems and methods of guidewire control, and in particular to systems and methods for the control of multiple degrees-of-freedom bending and the bending length of a coaxially aligned robotically steerable guidewire. The current disclosure is manually actuated, and in others, is automatically/robotically actuated.

Abstract: A probe part (100) includes abase member (110) defining a first bore (112). A first elongated elastic member (120) includes a near end (126) secured to the base member (110) and extends therefrom to a far end (128) and defines a channel (125) in communication with the first bore (112) and that runs lengthwise with the first elongated elastic member (120). A first tendon (130) has a first end and an opposite second end that is secured to the first elongated elastic member (120) adjacent to the far end (128). The first tendon (130) mns through the channel (125) adjacent the first side (122) and exits through the first bore (112) exiting outwardly therefrom. Applying tension to the first tendon (130) causes the first elongated elastic member (120) to bend in the direction of the first side (122).

Abstract: In a joint movement device (100) for selective flexion and extension of a joint (20), a tendon (120) is disposed adjacent to the first and second joint members. A tendon securing device (112) is secured to the second joint member (12), the tendon (120) being secured to the tendon securing device (112). At least one phalange ring (110) is secured to a joint member and includes a tending routing mechanism (113) configured to route the tendon through the phalange ring (110). An actuator (140) is coupled to the tendon (120) and pulls the tendon (120) inwardly to cause the joint (20) to flex. An elastic member (130) is coupled to the phalange ring (110) and tendon securing device (112) and applies an extension force thereto, thereby causing the joint (20) to extend when the actuator (140) releases the tendon (120).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can include a system for steering a guidewire comprising: a guidewire tip integrably connected to a guidewire, the guidewire tip comprising a hollow body having first joint and second joints comprising a plurality of asymmetric recesses in the hollow body; a plurality of tendons operably connected to the first and second joints; and a control unit operably connected to the tendons and configured to actuate the tendons to provide multiple degrees of freedom of movement to the guidewire tip.

Abstract: A MEM-based device and method of fabrication, the device comprising a biochip substrate comprising one or more compliant materials, a plurality of mechanical and electrical micro-sensors configured in an array to simultaneously measure electrical and mechanical properties of a sample, wherein a first mechanical micro-sensor is formed as a patterned layer of at least one of the compliant materials, wherein the patterned layer is coupled to a first pillar comprising a dielectric material formed onto the compliant materials, the first pillar being coated with a metal film at a contact surface with the sample and along a side of the first pillar to act as a conductive probe for the first electrical micro-sensor, and wherein the first pillar is formed on the first mechanical micro-sensor to transfer a force to the first mechanical micro-sensor.

Abstract: A system for automated simultaneous measurements of multiple parameters (mechanical, electrical and/or thermal) of biological tissues includes a base platform supporting a biochip holder module with a biochip integrated therein and an indenter for nano- and micro-scale indentation of a tissue. The biochip is formed with an array of micro-sensors, for example, electromechanical micro-sensors integrated on a substrate of the biochip. A temperature microsensor maybe additionally formed, for example, on the tip of the indenter to measure thermal characteristics of the tissue specimen heated by the micro-heater fabricated on the biochip.

Abstract: A steerable probe having high-power-density actuators positioned at joints along the length of the probe. The actuators are moveable about and between a straight position and a curved position in response to selective actuation.

Abstract: Telemetrical control of a robotic interventional device for minimally invasive surgical procedure is based on an operative interaction between a tracking sub-system, MRI sub-system, navigation sub-system and the robotic interventional device. The tracking sensor sub-system is integrated with the interventional device to produce tracking information corresponding to the robotic interventional device location in the operative site. The navigation sub-system integrates the tracking information with the real-time images of the operative site produced by the MRI sub-system, and displays the integrated information to a user, to enable the telemetrical control of the interventional device for performing an intended procedure (biopsy, tissue resection, etc.). The navigation sub-system, based on the integrated real-time tracking information and real-time images, calculates and dynamically updates coordinates of subsequent imaging slices.

Abstract: Telemetrical control of a robotic interventional device for minimally invasive surgical procedure is based on an operative interaction between a tracking sub-system, MRI sub-system, navigation sub-system and the robotic interventional device. The tracking sensor sub-system is integrated with the interventional device to produce tracking information corresponding to the robotic interventional device location in the operative site. The navigation sub-system integrates the tracking information with the real-time images of the operative site produced by the MRI sub-system, and displays the integrated information to a user, to enable the telemetrical control of the interventional device for performing an intended procedure (biopsy, tissue resection, etc.). The navigation sub-system, based on the integrated real-time tracking information and real-time images, calculates and dynamically updates coordinates of subsequent imaging slices.

Abstract: A steerable probe having high-power-density actuators positioned at joints along the length of the probe. The actuators are moveable about and between a straight position and a curved position in response to selective actuation.

Abstract: A suction gripper includes a cup member, a suction port, and a valve. The cup member has inner and outer surfaces defining an opening such that the inner surface defines an inner cavity. The suction port provides suction. The valve in is fluid communication with the suction port and the inner cavity of the cup member to modify the suction therebetween. The valve is operatively coupled to the cup member and is adapted to passively actuate in response to an applied force to the cup member.

Abstract: A suction gripper includes a cup member, a suction port, and a valve. The cup member has inner and outer surfaces defining an opening such that the inner surface defines an inner cavity. The suction port provides suction. The valve in is fluid communication with the suction port and the inner cavity of the cup member to modify the suction therebetween. The valve is operatively coupled to the cup member and is adapted to passively actuate in response to an applied force to the cup member.