Computer Vision News - June 2022

37 CRAS 2022 removing any pain or discomfort for the patient and leading to a better-targeted intervention. “ This unique platform combines a large workspace – the human body – with high magnetic fields and a high degree of manipulability, ” Giovanni tells us. “ When you actuate the magnetic field withina largeworkspace, themaindifficulty is actuating strong magnetic fields with a high level of controllability. With one permanent magnet, you can control five degrees of freedom. We add three more degrees of freedom , up to eight degrees, with two magnets. That is a key part of this platform compared to smaller actuation systems. ” Professor Pietro Valdastri from the University of Leeds had the initial idea of actuating these devices to conform to Devices used in bronchoscopy are generally rigid and thick , limiting how deep clinicians can get into the lungs and potentially causing damage and discomfort to patients as they bend the tissue around them. Clinicians use a pre- computed anatomy map , often from a CT scan, which is less helpful once they insert the rigid tool and the anatomy moves. In this work, Michael and Giovanni propose using soft silicone-based magnetic catheters inside the body controlled externally by two permanent magnets on robotic arms , allowing for precise control of the magnetic field in the workspace. This contactless form of actuation means devices can be smaller and reach areas of the lungs that are impossible to reach with classic tools. The soft devices will bend and conform to the body during navigation , so they will not deform the anatomy,