A framework for sensorless and autonomous probe-tissue contact management in robotic endomicroscopic scanning
File(s)ICRA 2017 Final Paper.pdf (1.1 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Varghese, RJ
Berthet-Rayne, P
Giataganas, P
Vitiello, V
Yang, GZ
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Advances in optical imaging, and probe-based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (pCLE) in particular, offer real-time cellular level information for in-vivo tissue characterization. However for large area coverage, the limited field-of-view necessitates the use of a technique known as mosaicking to generate usable information from the incoming image stream. Mosaicking also needs a continuous stream of good quality images, but this is challenging as the probe needs to be maintained within an optimal working range and the contact force controlled to minimize tissue deformation. Robotic manipulation presents a potential solution to these challenges, but the lack of haptic feedback in current surgical robot systems hinders the technology's clinical adoption. This paper proposes a sensorless alternative based on processing the incoming image stream and deriving a quantitative measure representative of the image quality. This measure is then used by a controller, designed using model-free reinforcement learning techniques, to maintain optimal contact autonomously. The developed controller has shown near real-time performance in overcoming typical loss-of-contact and excess-deformation scenarios experienced during endomicroscopy scanning procedures.
Date Issued
2017-07-24
Date Acceptance
2017-05-29
Citation
Proceedings - IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, 2017, pp.1738-1745
ISBN
9781509046331
ISSN
1050-4729
Publisher
IEEE
Start Page
1738
End Page
1745
Journal / Book Title
Proceedings - IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation
Copyright Statement
© 2017 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.
Source
2017 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA)
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2017-05-29
Finish Date
2017-06-03
Coverage Spatial
Singapore