arXiv:2601.13177cs.RO2026-01

新型螺旋肌腱驱动机器人可精准导航至脊髓目标区域,支持手术导航。

Helical Tendon-Driven Continuum Robot with Programmable Follow-the-Leader Operation

  • 基于柯西杆理论建模,实现肌腱力与机器人形变的精确预测
  • 实验误差均在2.33mm以内,三组跟随路径试验最大误差3.75mm
  • 具备自主跟随路径能力,适用于神经功能恢复与疼痛管理

脊髓刺激(SCS)主要用于疼痛管理,并在脊髓损伤患者的功能恢复中显示出疗效。理想的运动神经元刺激需将电极置于腹侧或侧向硬膜外空间,该区域分布着皮质脊髓束和红核脊髓束。当前手动操控难以实现精准定位。本研究提出一种静态建模方法,用于可操控的ExoNav机器人系统,以实现对腹侧及侧向硬膜外空间的精准导航。采用柯西杆框架建立肌腱驱动力与机器人整体形状之间的关系,研究了重力等外部载荷的影响,并在模型与仿真中予以实现。实验结果显示,四个测试原型的均方根误差(RMSE)分别为1.76mm、2.33mm、2.18mm和1.33mm。由于ExoNav在驱动下呈现螺旋形态,通过增加插入与旋转自由度,可在仿真与实验中实现跟随领先(FTL)运动。所提仿真方法可在重力引起的形变存在时,计算最优肌腱张力以跟踪期望的FTL路径。共开展三组FTL实验,末端执行器位置重复性良好,最大RMSE为3.75mm。最终在模拟体模型上完成远程操作演示,机器人成功导航至侧向与腹侧脊髓目标。用户亦成功抵达背根神经节,展示了ExoNav在运动功能恢复与疼痛管理中的双重潜力。

原文摘要 · Abstract (English)

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is primarily utilized for pain management and has recently demonstrated efficacy in promoting functional recovery in patients with spinal cord injury. Effective stimulation of motor neurons ideally requires the placement of SCS leads in the ventral or lateral epidural space where the corticospinal and rubrospinal motor fibers are located. This poses significant challenges with the current standard of manual steering. In this study, we present a static modeling approach for the ExoNav, a steerable robotic tool designed to facilitate precise navigation to the ventral and lateral epidural space. Cosserat rod framework is employed to establish the relationship between tendon actuation forces and the robot's overall shape. The effects of gravity, as an example of an external load, are investigated and implemented in the model and simulation. The experimental results indicate RMSE values of 1.76mm, 2.33mm, 2.18mm, and 1.33mm across four tested prototypes. Based on the helical shape of the ExoNav upon actuation, it is capable of performing follow-the-leader (FTL) motion by adding insertion and rotation DoFs to this robotic system, which is shown in simulation and experimentally. The proposed simulation has the capability to calculate optimum tendon tensions to follow the desired FTL paths while gravity-induced robot deformations are present. Three FTL experimental trials are conducted and the end-effector position showed repeatable alignments with the desired path with maximum RMSE value of 3.75mm. Ultimately, a phantom model demonstration is conducted where the teleoperated robot successfully navigated to the lateral and ventral spinal cord targets. Additionally, the user was able to navigate to the dorsal root ganglia, illustrating ExoNav's potential in both motor function recovery and pain management.

机器人导航脊髓刺激肌腱驱动神经外科

Thank you to arXiv for use of its open access interoperability. PaperDance 不是 arXiv 官方产品;中文卡片由大模型生成,请以原文为准。