Unmet NeedCurrent robotics systems that utilize a high degree of redundancy, like endoscopes, are capable of highly dexterous movement but sacrifice rigidity. Though these systems can reach a desired location when they arrive there they can be highly limited in their use on harder tissues and bone because they are unable to bare a significant load. A stiffness tuned system will allow for a highly redundant manipulator to be both flexible when in motion to a location but ridged once it has reached its desired location. This type of system fills a significant need in the surgical robotic space. Through the development of a hyper redundant system utilizing a stiffness tuned clutch mechanism this type of device can be developed, in a compact, light-weight, and energy efficient clutch system.
Technology OverviewThis technology is a clutch system that locks and unlocks through stiffness tuning of a low
melting point (LMP) material that can change phases when the temperature of its environment
is altered. Due to its low melting point, the material can quickly and efficiently shift from its soft
(locked) state to its solid (unlocked) state. This shortens the time of activation while reducing the
energy required, thus extending the battery life of the power source. Field’s alloy, the LMP used
in this system, has shown notably high stiffness during solid phase giving it the capability to
bear much larger external loads than existing products. The technology offers a light yet sturdy
clutch system with a plethora of potential medical applications.
Stage of DevelopmentWorking prototype has been utilized and described in published work
PublicationH. Ge et al ScienceDirect. V21 (331-346) MAY 2013
