TY - GEN
T1 - Borjibot
T2 - 8th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, BioRob 2020
AU - Vela-Anton, P.
AU - Nina, C.
AU - Ticllacuri, V.
AU - Shah, D.
AU - Tincopa, J. P.
AU - Llontop, M.
AU - Aguilar, F.
AU - Cruz, S.
AU - Vela, E. A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 IEEE.
PY - 2020/11
Y1 - 2020/11
N2 - This paper presents the design and prototype of a soft robotic device to rehabilitate the sucking capacities of preterm neonates. The soft robot utilizes elastomeric pneumatic actuators, capable of exerting gentle pressure and torsional stimuli on neonates' sucking muscles - which are two of the key features of the current treatment performed by medical specialists, in order to strengthen the muscles involved in the feeding process. Two soft actuators (as thin as possible) were designed and tested. One based on a zero-air chamber, and another based on a flexible spiral structure, with the ability to generate a torsional movement when pressurized. At 10 kPa of air pressure, the spiral-based actuator demonstrated a maximum force of about 3 N, and a perpendicular and angular displacement of about 10 mm and 80°, respectively. Furthermore, the elastomers utilized make the device comfortable, flexible, and easy-to-sterilize. In addition, a monitoring device works simultaneously to measure the intraoral pressure of the infant, as a feedback signal to closed-loop control the soft actuators. The soft robotic system was tested on a baby phantom as a proof of concept. This device could pave the way to the rehabilitation of preterm neonates with feeding disorders.
AB - This paper presents the design and prototype of a soft robotic device to rehabilitate the sucking capacities of preterm neonates. The soft robot utilizes elastomeric pneumatic actuators, capable of exerting gentle pressure and torsional stimuli on neonates' sucking muscles - which are two of the key features of the current treatment performed by medical specialists, in order to strengthen the muscles involved in the feeding process. Two soft actuators (as thin as possible) were designed and tested. One based on a zero-air chamber, and another based on a flexible spiral structure, with the ability to generate a torsional movement when pressurized. At 10 kPa of air pressure, the spiral-based actuator demonstrated a maximum force of about 3 N, and a perpendicular and angular displacement of about 10 mm and 80°, respectively. Furthermore, the elastomers utilized make the device comfortable, flexible, and easy-to-sterilize. In addition, a monitoring device works simultaneously to measure the intraoral pressure of the infant, as a feedback signal to closed-loop control the soft actuators. The soft robotic system was tested on a baby phantom as a proof of concept. This device could pave the way to the rehabilitation of preterm neonates with feeding disorders.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85095587503&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/BioRob49111.2020.9224287
DO - 10.1109/BioRob49111.2020.9224287
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85095587503
T3 - Proceedings of the IEEE RAS and EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics
SP - 403
EP - 409
BT - 2020 8th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, BioRob 2020
PB - IEEE Computer Society
Y2 - 29 November 2020 through 1 December 2020
ER -