Control issues and possible solutions in robotized flexible endoscopy

Abstract

Flexible endoscopic systems are widely used for intraluminal exams and for minimally invasive surgical interventions, but the manual use of these systems is problematic. Providing telemanipulation modes by robotizing flexible endoscopes could be an interesting solution. However, it appears that the accurate control of these systems is not possible through standard control scheme because of large backlash in the cable driving mechanism. In this paper we discuss several possible solutions to this control problem. Especially we show that it is possible to improve accuracy and bandwidth by using an exteroceptive sensor coupled with software backlash compensation. Laboratory results as well as tests on animal models show the possibilities of these approaches.