Design, Prototyping and Evaluation of a New Robotic Mechanism for Ultrasound Imaging

This paper presents a new robotic mechanism for ultrasound imaging. The device is placed on a patient's body by an operator, and an ultrasound expert controls the motions of the device to obtain ultrasound images. The paper focuses on the robotic mechanism that performs ultrasound imaging. The design of the mechanism is based on two approaches to produce center of motion for an ultrasound probe. This center of motion which is located on the tip of the probe helps to create clear ultrasound images. Detailed designs, kinematic relationships, prototyping and ultrasound imaging tests are presented. A novel cabling mechanism is developed to create the center of motion required for ultrasound imaging. The mechanism provides all four necessary motions for ultrasound imaging by using two actuators which significantly reduces the weight of the device to make it suitable for portable ultrasound applications. The device has been successfully used for ultrasound imaging of kidney, gallbladder, liver, ovary and uterus of volunteer patients.