Inflatable sensor for topographic mapping of internal cavities

The technology involves a flexible, inflatable tactile sensor that attaches to medical or industrial tools, providing high-resolution texture and stiffness mapping. It enhances diagnostics by offering detailed surface analysis, useful in medical procedures like colonoscopies and industrial inspections like oil and gas pipelines.

Background

The field of tactile sensing technology has seen significant advancements due to its critical applications in both medical and industrial domains. In medical settings, tactile sensors are essential for procedures such as colonoscopies, where they aid in detecting abnormalities like cancerous polyps. The need for enhanced tactile sensing arises from the limitations of current visual inspection tools, which can miss subtle textural details crucial for early diagnosis. In industrial applications, tactile sensors are used for inspecting surfaces like pipes, where they help identify cracks or blockages that might not be visible to the naked eye. The demand for tactile sensing technology is driven by the need for high-resolution, reliable, and safe methods to map and classify surface textures and stiffness, which are vital for accurate diagnosis and inspection.

Current approaches to tactile sensing, particularly in medical procedures like colonoscopies, face several challenges. Traditional vision-based tools rely heavily on the operator's ability to visually identify issues, which can be compromised by factors such as occlusion from fluids or semi-solids. This reliance on visual feedback alone can lead to high early-detection miss rates for conditions like colorectal cancer polyps. Moreover, existing tactile sensors often lack the necessary sensitivity and resolution to accurately map surface textures and stiffness, which are crucial for effective diagnosis.

In industrial settings, the limitations of current tactile sensors include the inability to provide detailed surface texture under static conditions and the need for complex fabrication processes. These challenges highlight the necessity for innovative tactile sensing solutions that integrate high-resolution imaging and advanced analysis capabilities to improve detection accuracy and operational efficiency.

Technology description

The flexible tactile sensing technology features a housing with an inflatable member that can be inflated or deflated via a lumen connected to a fluid source. It includes an imaging device and a sensor capable of measuring parameters such as pressure within the inflatable member. The inflatable member, potentially made from materials like silicone, may include a gel layer for enhanced sensitivity. This device can attach to various elongated members, such as medical scopes or industrial inspection tools, providing high-resolution topographic and stiffness mapping of surfaces. It is equipped with multiple imaging devices and sensors spaced axially along the inflatable member for simultaneous or sequential data collection.

The device can integrate with computer systems for advanced analysis, including texture and stiffness classification of inspected surfaces. Its inflatable nature allows for safe interaction with both hard and soft environments, making it suitable for confined spaces and complex geometries.

This technology is differentiated by its ability to provide high-resolution, radiation-free imaging and sensitive detection of textural features, which is particularly beneficial in medical diagnostics, such as early detection of colorectal cancer polyps. Unlike traditional vision-based inspection devices that rely heavily on visual feedback, this technology supplements vision with tactile sensing, allowing for the detection of features that might otherwise go unnoticed. The adjustable stiffness of the inflatable member, controlled by fluid pressure, enables safe mapping of both hard and soft objects. This adaptability, combined with the capability to integrate with existing inspection devices, enhances its utility across various applications, from medical diagnostics to industrial inspections, offering a significant advantage over current technologies that depend solely on visual cues.

Benefits

This soft VISB is a cutting-edge device designed to augment the capabilities of medical and industrial inspection tools. Its unique features include:

Enhances early detection of colorectal cancer polyps with high-resolution textural mapping
Provides radiation-free and safe imaging during medical procedures
Integrates seamlessly with existing medical and industrial inspection tools
Offers high-resolution topographic and stiffness mapping of surfaces
Adjustable stiffness for safe interaction with various environments
Supports advanced analysis with computer systems for texture and stiffness classification
Enables inspection in confined spaces and complex geometries
Reduces early detection miss rate in medical applications
Facilitates simultaneous or sequential data collection with multiple sensors
Applicable in both medical and industrial fields for enhanced diagnostic capabilities