• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.30 no.1 s.244
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• pp.84-89
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• 2006

A wireless capsule endoscope has been developed to replace the conventional endoscope. However, the commercialized capsule endoscope moves passively by peristaltic waves, which has some limitations for doctors to diagnose more thoroughly and actively. In order to solve this problem, a locomotive mechanism is proposed for wireless capsule endoscopes. Based on the tests of various actuators, a piezo actuator is selected as a micro actuator for capsule endoscope. In general, piezo actuators are known to have limited displacement with high voltage supply. In order to overcome the limitation of common piezo actuator, the impact based piezo actuator, is developed to realize long stroke up 11mm. By using the impact based piezo actuator, a prototype of an earthworm-like locomotive mechanism was developed. In addition, the proposed locomotive mechanism has engraved clamps mimicked the claw of an insect. The earthworm-like locomotive mechanism has 15 mm in diameter and 30mm under retraction stage and 41 mm under elongation stage in total length. Hollow space is allocated to comprise essential endoscope components such as a camera, a communication module, bio sensors, and a battery. For the feasibility test of proposed locomotive mechanism, a series of experiments were carried out including in-vitro tests. Based on results of the experiments, we conclude that the proposed locomotive mechanism is effective to be used for micro capsule endoscopes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.869-872
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• 2001

A new in-pipe locomotive mechanism is developed using piezoelectric bimorphs. Two bimorphs are linked serially and produce an ellipsoidal motion at the end of bimorph. The device moves by the friction force between the rubber attached at the bimorph end and the inner surface of the pipe. The developed mechanism is very simple and need relatively small power compared to a conventional multi-layer piezoelectric motor.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.1296-1301
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• 2002

In recent years, the pathology in the colon grows up annually since people of all ages prefer to have less fiber and more fat food. Therefore, the colonoscopy is generalized in developed countries. But it requires much time to acquire a dexterous skill to perform an operation and the procedure is painful to the patient. Therefore, some studies on the development of autonomous colonoscope are carried out. In this paper, we propose a new and simple locomotive mechanism that can be propelled by elliptic motion of a leg. It has several legs that have constant phase difference each other and those legs are disposed along the upper and lower of the body. In order to evaluate the performance of locomotive mechanism, we carried out the simulations of moving characteristics and the experiments in the colon of a dead pig.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.220-225
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• 2002

In this paper, we suggest a new locomotive mechanism fur self-propelling robotic endoscope which could substitute conventional endoscope. Many researchers proposed inchworm-like mechanism for self-propelling robotic endoscope. But it could not be commercialized because they did not solve the limitation caused by clamping. Therefore, we suggest a new radial-type locomotive mechanism with worm. It can propel itself in any situation and take passive-steering because of radial type. In addition, it can be miniaturized with worm. In this paper, we evaluate the mechanism in the dead pig colon as well as under various environments, and verify the performance fur robotic endoscope.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2001.06b
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• pp.271-276
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• 2001

Conventional clonoscope is semiflexible tube that should be manipulated by operator for inspection and treatment. Therefore, it sometimes causes pain for the patient and even perforation to the wall of colon if a surgeon is not well trained. For safe colonoscopy, self-propelling robots with inchworm locomotion are studied. But, inchworm locomotion has some problems in adaptiveness to the variation of colon diameter. In this paper, we propose novel locomotive mechanism which can move in the colon without any external assistance. It has several cams that have constant phase difference each other and located along the centerline of the mechanism. This mechanism could realize the robotic endoscope which has continuous and smooth thrust force.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2001.06b
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• pp.289-294
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• 2001

The two prototypes of a Wheel Type Locomotive Mechanism Using Micro motor for a Capsule-Type Endoscope are outlined and realized. Basic concept of these mechanisms is to use a rod-shaped wheel, with which these mechanisms can go over the haustral folds inside colon. The actuator of Prototype I is geared dc motor and the actuator for steering is Shape Memory Alloy. Prototype I goes through the whole area of colonoscopy training model. Prototype II can not only go forward and backward, but also be steerable with 2 geared dc motors. Prototype II goes through dead pig colon.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1012-1018
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• 2006

Diagnosis and treatment using the conventional flexible endoscope in gastro-intestinal tract are very common since advanced and instrumented endoscopes allow diagnosis and treatment by introducing the human body through natural orifices. However, the operation of endoscope is very labor intensive work and gives patients some pains. As an alternative, therefore, the capsule endoscope is developed for the diagnosis of digestive organs. Although the capsule endoscope has conveniences for diagnosis, it is passively moved by the peristaltic waves of gastro-intestinal tract and thus has some limitations for doctor to get the image of the organ and to diagnose more thoroughly. As a solution of these problems, various locomotive mechanisms for capsule endoscopes are introduced. In our proposed mechanism, the capsule-type microrobot has synchronized multiple legs that are actuated by a linear actuator and two mobile cylinders inside of the capsule. For the feasibility test of the proposed microrobot, a series of in-vitro experiments using small intestine without incision were carried out. From the experimental results, our proposed microrobot can advance along the 3D curved and sloped path with the velocity of about $3.29\sim6.26mm/sec$ and $35.1\sim66.7%$ of theoretical velocity. Finally, the proposed locomotive mechanism can be not only applicable to micro capsule endoscopes but also effective to advance inside of gastro-intestinal tract.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1849-1855
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• 2003

Newly commercialized wireless capsule endoscope has many advantages compared to conventional push-type endoscopes. However, it is moved by the peristaltic waves. Therefore, it can not diagnose desired zones actively. In this paper, a locomotive mechanism for wireless capsule endoscope is proposed to increase the efficiency of endoscopy. We designed and fabricated a prototype using SMA springs and bio-mimetic clamping device. The hollow space in the prototype is allocated for further system integration of a camera module, a RF module and a battery. And the sequential control scheme is employed to improve the efficiency of its locomotion. To validate the performance of the locomotive mechanism, experiments on a silicone rubber pad and in vitro tests are carried out. The results of the experiments indicate that proposed mechanism is effective in harsh environments such as digestive organs of a human.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.633-641
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• 2008

Recently, the necessity for diagnosis and management of pipes has emerged as the issue due to contamination of water supply generated by corrosion of pipes. Although inspection has been performed with industrial endoscopes, the method has limits for full diagnosis of pipes due to the lack of working range. As a solution for this problem, many locomotive mechanisms for a micro robot with endoscope functions were proposed. In this paper, we analyze the locomotive mechanism of crawling robot proposed as locomotive device for pipe inspection. Based on a mechanical modeling of motor and micro robot inside small pipe, the theoretical formula for velocity is obtained. This derived theoretical formula is demonstrated the feasibility through the comparison with experimental result. Also, we could find the most important element influencing the moving velocity of micro robot when the robot operates in small pipe. Consequently, it is expected that this study can supply useful information to design of crawling robot to move in small pipe.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2012

Reconnaissance robots can reduce the danger of hazardous places by providing information before human personnel take action. For the usage, robot platform should be small and light. However, this fact leads to a scaling issue with terrain that landscape poses a huge obstacle for the vehicle. The problem can be solved by the inspiration of nature. This paper presents design of the locomotive mechanism inspired by Pill bugs. The mechanism was designed by the principles of a pill bug's locomotion and experiments were conducted to validate the mechanism.