Soft robotics for physical simulators, artificial organs and implantable assistive devices

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Robotics

Background:

• Soft robotics utilizes advanced materials and muscle-like actuation.
• This technology enables novel biomedical devices like artificial organs and realistic phantoms.
• Recent advancements focus on replicating natural organ properties and functionalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in soft robotics for biomedical applications.
• To analyze material and actuation technologies in soft robotics over the past decade.
• To discuss the potential and challenges of soft robotics in creating artificial organs and dynamic phantoms.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of soft robotics in biomedical applications.
• Analysis of publication trends and technological developments over the last 10 years.
• Discussion of commonly used materials and actuation methods.

Main Results:

• Soft robotics can replicate material properties of static organs and motion patterns of dynamic organs.
• Promising trends indicate potential for realistic phantoms and active implants.
• Identified key materials and actuation technologies driving innovation in the field.

Conclusions:

• Soft robotics offers a pathway to developing advanced biomedical devices with organ-like functionalities.
• Further interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial to overcome current challenges.
• Future developments aim for complex, active, and deformable structures mimicking natural organs.