A system for releasably attaching a steerable disposable multi-linked device to a durable device may include a disposable portion and a durable portion. The disposable portion may include a connecting member connected to the disposable portion and the durable portion and a steerable multi-linked device. The steerable multi-linked device may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links, and a cable which passes through the first link and intermediate links and extends beyond a first end of the first link. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link. The durable portion may include an axial member which defines an opening therethrough and a feeder mechanism.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described herein for a robotic manipulator that includes a base, a first segment, a first joint operatively coupling the base and the first segment, a second segment, and a second joint operatively coupling the first segment and the second segment. The first joint is configured to rotate the first segment about at least two axes of rotation with respect to the base. The second joint is configured to rotate the second segment about at least one axis of rotation with respect to the first segment.

A method comprises monitoring movement of an elongate device and receiving user input commanding motion of the elongate device. The method also comprises determining a mode of operation based on at least one of the monitored movement or the received user input and adjusting a property of the elongate device based on a profile associated with the mode of operation. Adjusting the property of the elongate device includes maintaining the property of the elongate device substantially the same during a first interval, reducing a rigidity of the elongate device at a first rate during a second interval and reducing the rigidity of the elongate device at a second rate, different from the first rate, during a third interval.

Described is a robotic apparatus (10) for investigating a confined area comprising: an articulated robot (20) for insertion into a confined area, the robotic apparatus further comprising a robot control system (30) for controlling the articulated robot. Further, the robot control system comprises a control unit (50), a robot driving means, a seal (70) for isolating the confined area from the external environment and at least one transmission member (80), wherein the control unit is configured to send control signals to the robot driving means, and the at least one transmission member extends from the robot driving means to connect to the articulated robot, the at least one transmission member extending through the seal.

A continuous robot control system executes control which brings a continuous robot into a state where a most distal bending portion (leading bending portion) bends at a third bending angle between a bending angle b (second bending angle) and a bending angle e (first bending angle) with respect to a reference axis while a base is being located at a position between a position c (third position) and a position e (first position), when the distal bending portion is extracted from a tube by making the continuous robot move backward, after the distal bending portion is inserted into an inner portion of the tube by making the continuous robot move forward.

A robot for locomotion in a pipe includes: star carriers including a supporting structure and clamping elements with a fixed part, a moving part, and a motor, the moving part being retracted and extended, the fixed part being connected with the supporting structure, the supporting structure including a frame with an outer contour, the fixed part being attached to the outer contour such that the star carriers can be clamped onto the interior space of the pipe when the moving part is extended; feed elements, the feed elements including a linear drive with a motor for changing a length, the feed elements extending between two fixed parts of adjacent star carriers; and a control unit for controlling the clamping elements and the feed elements.

The present disclosure relates to an eversion robot system and a method of operating an eversion robot system. In particular, it relates to a steerable eversion robot having a steering structure disposed in its lumen, wherein the steering structure is configured to control a direction of growth of the eversion robot. The eversion robot system of the present invention avoids drag to the surrounding environment while still comprising a mechanism for controlling the direction of growth of the eversion robot for navigating a complex environment.

A vibrating actuator includes a vibrator and a contact body. The vibrator includes an elastic body and an electrical-mechanical energy transducer. The contact body is long in a predetermined direction and contacts the vibrator. The vibrator and the contact body are relatively moved in the predetermined direction by vibration of the vibrator. An end portion of the long contact body is covered with a viscoelastic body circumferentially with respect to the predetermined direction.

A system may comprise a control device configured to receive user inputs and a manipulator system including an actuator configured to receive and drive a steerable device. The system may also comprise a control system communicatively coupled to the manipulator system and the control device. The control system may be configured to track a virtual user-instructed position based on a first user input, determine a device position of a portion of the steerable device, and determine a position discrepancy between the determined device position and the virtual user-instructed position. The control system may also be configured to receive a second user input commanding motion of the steerable device and in response to the second user input, reduce the position discrepancy.

An instrument that facilitates bending with large degrees of articulation while maintaining ease of manufacturing for medical and surgical applications is discussed.