Robotic Ultrasound Scanning End-Effector with Adjustable Constant Contact Force

Bibliographic Details
Title: Robotic Ultrasound Scanning End-Effector with Adjustable Constant Contact Force
Authors: Zehao Wu, Xianli Wang, Yuning Cao, Weijian Zhang, Qingsong Xu
Source: Cyborg and Bionic Systems, Vol 6 (2025)
Publisher Information: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Cybernetics
Subject Terms: Cybernetics, Q300-390
More Details: In modern medical treatment, ultrasound scanning provides a radiation-free medical imaging method for the diagnosis of soft tissues via skin contact. However, the exerted contact force heavily relies on the skill and experience of the operator, which poses great inspection instability. This article reports on a robotic ultrasound scanning system with a constant-force end-effector. Its uniqueness is the introduction of a hybrid active–passive force control approach to maintaining a constant contact force between the ultrasound probe and the continually changing surface. In particular, the passive constant-force mechanism provides strong buffering to the force variation. The active force control system improves flexibility and provides long-stroke positioning. Experimental tests on both silicone models and human volunteers demonstrate the capability of the proposed robotic ultrasound scanning system for obtaining qualified ultrasound images with high repeatability. Moreover, the ease of operation of the robotic US scanning system is verified. This work provides a promising method to assist doctors in conducting better and cushier ultrasound scanning imaging.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2692-7632
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/2692-7632
DOI: 10.34133/cbsystems.0251
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/d79734ae991d4bcab89e6f91ea6d805b
Accession Number: edsdoj.79734ae991d4bcab89e6f91ea6d805b
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:26927632
DOI:10.34133/cbsystems.0251
Published in:Cyborg and Bionic Systems
Language:English