SFE Active Steering and Surface Scanning
Locating imaging instruments in 3-D space is a key requirement for image-guided medical procedures, especially for scanning a surface of a large-volume organ. For example, imaging of the surface of a bladder to detect problems such as cancer must be complete and include substantially the entire surface. As opposed to manually operated cytoscopes, which is a type of endoscope used by urologists to view the interior surface of patient’s bladder, our approach is computer programmed to scan the bladder in an efficient motion sequence. This approach ensures a complete 3-D picture and substantially reduces the likelihood of missing a cancerous tumor.
Our approach uses novel mechanical actuators (smart materials such as shape memory alloys or electro-active polymers) coupled with a user interface to provide better visualization. Other applications of our automated steering/interior surface scanning technology will be in non-medical fields. This technology can be used as a borescope to remotely inspect quality feature such as crack or holes of all regions of the inner part of tanks, engines, machines, or any structure with known geometry either through an existing opening or through an ultra-thin bored hole.