In this section

Human-Centred Automation, Robotics and Monitoring

We use perceptual methods, AI, and frugal robotics innovation to deliver transformative diagnostic and treatment solutions.

Head of Group

Dr George Mylonas

B415B Bessemer Building
South Kensington Campus

+44 (0)20 3312 5145

YouTube ⇒ HARMS Lab

What we do

The HARMS lab leverages perceptually enabled methodologies, artificial intelligence, and frugal innovation in robotics (such as soft surgical robots) to deliver transformative solutions for diagnosis and treatment. Our research is driven by both problem-solving and curiosity, aiming to build a comprehensive understanding of the actions, interactions, and reactions occurring in the operating room. We focus on using robotic technologies to facilitate procedures that are not yet widely adopted, particularly in endoluminal surgery, such as advanced treatments for gastrointestinal cancer.

Meet the team

Mr Amirhosein Alian
Research Postgraduate

Dr James P Avery
Honorary Lecturer

Mr Junhong Chen
Research Postgraduate

Mr Kaizhong Deng
Research Postgraduate

Dr George Mylonas BEng, MSc, DIC, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Robotics and Technology in Cancer

Dr Adrian Rubio Solis
Research Associate in Sensing and Machine Learning

Dr Jianlin Yang
Research Associate

Citation

BibTex format

@article{Runciman:2021:10.3390/app11167391,
author = {Runciman, M and Avery, J and Darzi, A and Mylonas, G},
doi = {10.3390/app11167391},
journal = {Applied Sciences-Basel},
pages = {1--16},
title = {Open loop position control of soft hydraulic actuators for minimally invasive surgery},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/app11167391},
volume = {11},
year = {2021}
}

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RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY - JOUR
AB - Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) presents many constraints on the design of robotic devices that can assist medical staff with a procedure. The limitations of conventional, rigid robotic devices have sparked interest in soft robotic devices for medical applications. However, problems still remain with the force exertion and positioning capabilities of soft robotic actuators, in conjunction with size restrictions necessary for MIS. In this article we present hydraulically actuated soft actuators that demonstrate highly repeatable open loop positioning and the ability to exert significant forces in the context of MIS. Open loop position control is achieved by changing the actuator volume, which causes contraction. In one degree of freedom (DOF) configurations, root mean square error (RMSE) values of 0.471 mm, 1.506 mm, and 0.350 mm were recorded for a single actuator against gravity, a single actuator with a pulley, and a horizontal antagonistic configuration, respectively. Hysteresis values of 0.711 mm, 0.958 mm, and 0.515 mm were reported in these experiments. In addition, different numbers of soft actuators were used in configurations two and three DOFs to demonstrate position control. When deactivated, the soft actuators are low-profile and flexible as they are constructed from thin films. As such, a robot with a deployable structure and three soft actuators was constructed. The robot is therefore able to reversibly transition from low to high volume and stiffness, which has potential applications in MIS. A user successfully controlled the deployable robot in a circle tracing task.
AU - Runciman,M
AU - Avery,J
AU - Darzi,A
AU - Mylonas,G
DO - 10.3390/app11167391
EP - 16
PY - 2021///
SN - 2076-3417
SP - 1
TI - Open loop position control of soft hydraulic actuators for minimally invasive surgery
T2 - Applied Sciences-Basel
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/app11167391
UR - http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000688678800001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/16/7391
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/91948
VL - 11
ER -