Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China have developed a new soft robotic “finger” with a sensitive touch that can perform routine medical exams, such as checking a patient’s pulse or detecting abnormal lumps.
This innovative technology, described in a study published in Cell Reports Physical Science, could make physical examinations easier, less invasive, and potentially more effective in detecting diseases like breast cancer in their early stages.
The robotic finger works like a human hand and could help doctors spot health problems sooner, making treatments more effective.
It could also make patients feel more comfortable during exams, which can sometimes feel awkward or uncomfortable.
“With further development to improve its efficiency, we believe a hand made of these robotic fingers could act as a ‘Robodoctor’ in the future, similar to a real physician,” said Hongbo Wang, one of the study’s authors and a researcher specializing in sensing technologies.
He added that the device, combined with machine learning, could even help provide medical care in areas that have a shortage of health workers.
Though robotic fingers are not new, most current versions are rigid and not suited for delicate tasks like those needed in a doctor’s office.
Some experts have raised concerns that these robotic fingers could accidentally damage sensitive areas, like rupturing lumps during an exam. Soft robotics, a newer technology, offers a solution by creating safer, lightweight devices that can mimic the movements of human hands.
However, these soft devices have not yet been able to match the complex sensing abilities of real fingers.
“Even with all the progress made in soft robotics over the past decade, many of these robotic fingers still fall short when compared to human hands,” the researchers explained. They noted that these robotic fingers are not yet ready for real-world tasks, like those performed in medical exams.
To address this challenge, the team developed a simple but effective device. It uses conductive fiber coils, along with a liquid metal fiber at the fingertip, to sense how much the finger bends and how much force it applies when touching an object.
This allows the robotic finger to feel and respond to objects much like a human finger does.
The researchers tested the robotic finger’s sensitivity by first brushing a feather across its tip. The results showed that the device was highly sensitive to even the lightest touch. They also tapped and pushed the finger with a glass rod, finding that the device could accurately detect the amount and type of force applied.
Next, the team tested the robotic finger in medical scenarios.
They attached the finger to a robotic arm and watched as it successfully identified lumps embedded in a silicone sheet, much like how a doctor presses on the skin to check for abnormalities.
The robotic finger also accurately located an artery on a volunteer’s wrist and took their pulse, demonstrating its potential use in routine medical exams.
“Humans can easily recognize how stiff or soft an object is by pressing it with their fingers,” the researchers wrote. “This robotic finger can do something similar by sensing both its bending and the force at its tip.”
In another test, the robotic finger demonstrated its dexterity by typing the word “hello” on a keyboard, similar to how a human hand would.
The researchers hope to make this robotic finger even more flexible in the future by adding extra sensors and improving its joints, allowing it to move in multiple directions like a real human finger.
With these advancements, the robotic finger could become an effective tool for performing detailed and accurate medical exams.
“Our goal is to develop an intelligent, flexible robotic hand that, along with a robotic arm powered by artificial muscles, can mimic the unmatched abilities of human hands,” said Wang.
This new technology could lead to robotic hands that are not only precise but also able to handle delicate medical tasks, helping doctors provide better care to their patients.
Source: Cell Press.
