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Qiu Y, Ashok A, Nguyen CC, Yamauchi Y, Do TN, Phan HP. Integrated Sensors for Soft Medical Robotics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2308805. [PMID: 38185733 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202308805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Minimally invasive procedures assisted by soft robots for surgery, diagnostics, and drug delivery have unprecedented benefits over traditional solutions from both patient and surgeon perspectives. However, the translation of such technology into commercialization remains challenging. The lack of perception abilities is one of the obstructive factors paramount for a safe, accurate and efficient robot-assisted intervention. Integrating different types of miniature sensors onto robotic end-effectors is a promising trend to compensate for the perceptual deficiencies in soft robots. For example, haptic feedback with force sensors helps surgeons to control the interaction force at the tool-tissue interface, impedance sensing of tissue electrical properties can be used for tumor detection. The last decade has witnessed significant progress in the development of multimodal sensors built on the advancement in engineering, material science and scalable micromachining technologies. This review article provides a snapshot on common types of integrated sensors for soft medical robots. It covers various sensing mechanisms, examples for practical and clinical applications, standard manufacturing processes, as well as insights on emerging engineering routes for the fabrication of novel and high-performing sensing devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Qiu
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Aditya Ashok
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4067, Australia
| | - Chi Cong Nguyen
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Yusuke Yamauchi
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4067, Australia
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Thanh Nho Do
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
- Tyree Foundation Institute of Health Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Hoang-Phuong Phan
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
- Tyree Foundation Institute of Health Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
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Li H, Tan P, Rao Y, Bhattacharya S, Wang Z, Kim S, Gangopadhyay S, Shi H, Jankovic M, Huh H, Li Z, Maharjan P, Wells J, Jeong H, Jia Y, Lu N. E-Tattoos: Toward Functional but Imperceptible Interfacing with Human Skin. Chem Rev 2024; 124:3220-3283. [PMID: 38465831 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The human body continuously emits physiological and psychological information from head to toe. Wearable electronics capable of noninvasively and accurately digitizing this information without compromising user comfort or mobility have the potential to revolutionize telemedicine, mobile health, and both human-machine or human-metaverse interactions. However, state-of-the-art wearable electronics face limitations regarding wearability and functionality due to the mechanical incompatibility between conventional rigid, planar electronics and soft, curvy human skin surfaces. E-Tattoos, a unique type of wearable electronics, are defined by their ultrathin and skin-soft characteristics, which enable noninvasive and comfortable lamination on human skin surfaces without causing obstruction or even mechanical perception. This review article offers an exhaustive exploration of e-tattoos, accounting for their materials, structures, manufacturing processes, properties, functionalities, applications, and remaining challenges. We begin by summarizing the properties of human skin and their effects on signal transmission across the e-tattoo-skin interface. Following this is a discussion of the materials, structural designs, manufacturing, and skin attachment processes of e-tattoos. We classify e-tattoo functionalities into electrical, mechanical, optical, thermal, and chemical sensing, as well as wound healing and other treatments. After discussing energy harvesting and storage capabilities, we outline strategies for the system integration of wireless e-tattoos. In the end, we offer personal perspectives on the remaining challenges and future opportunities in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbian Li
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Philip Tan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Yifan Rao
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Sarnab Bhattacharya
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Zheliang Wang
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Sangjun Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Susmita Gangopadhyay
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Hongyang Shi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Matija Jankovic
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Heeyong Huh
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Zhengjie Li
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Pukar Maharjan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Jonathan Wells
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Hyoyoung Jeong
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Yaoyao Jia
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Nanshu Lu
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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