Main description:

The book comprises three parts. The first part provides the state-of-the-art of robots for endoscopy (endorobots), including devices already available in the market and those that are still at the R&D stage. The second part focusses on the engineering design; it includes the use of polymers for soft robotics, comparing their advantages and limitations with those of their more rigid counterparts. The third part includes the project management of a multidisciplinary team, the health cost of current technology, and how a cost-effective device can have a substantial impact on the market. It also includes information on data governance, ethical and legal frameworks, and all steps needed to make this new technology available.

Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Robotics in medicine
3. Clinical applications
4. Biological systems
5. Rigid versus soft materials
6. Smart materials for actuators
7. Flexible and stretchable sensors
8. Control strategies and analytical models for flexible devices
9. Haptic interfaces
10. Electronic design for hardware control
11. Vision systems
12. Machine learning for imaging
13. Simulators
14. Augmented reality
15. Energy efficiency and power management
16. Wireless and wired communication
17. Manufacturing process for miniaturised robots
18. Project management
19. Health care system and cost
20. Medical regulations and product commercialisation
21. Future trends