Researchers have developed a high-curvature flexible needle with an embodied perception mechanism for interaction risk assessment, targeting minimally invasive neurosurgery. The design addresses the trade-off between dexterous steering and tissue safety in intracranial procedures.
Key takeaways
- The needle uses a bevel-tip and torque-transmitting sheath coupling, achieving a maximum curvature of 0.0221 mm−1 (turning radius ~45 mm) in gelatin tests.
- A triple-sheath nested structure enables progressive deployment, reducing buckling and jump instability during insertion.
- Fiber Bragg grating shape sensing and a strain-energy-based model detect tissue rupture risks in real time.
The proposed system offers a practical solution for flexible intervention with both high maneuverability and safety monitoring, potentially improving outcomes in deep brain stimulation and biopsy procedures.
Source: 《机器人》期刊 (robot.sia.cn) · Published 2026-07-15 · “大曲率形变柔性针设计与交互风险具身感知方法”