Design of a novel robotic imaging skin for enhanced sensing and monitoring during MIS

Brief description of the context of the research including potential impact

Sensing and general perception in minimally-invasive surgery is often difficult as most commonly-employed sensing and imaging modalities are optics-based and as such require an obstruction-free and stable view of the investigated anatomical region. This can be difficult to achieve given the highly variable environment within the human anatomy.

This project addresses said challenges by developing methodologies around novel robotic-actuated imaging skins which could be directly attached to the region of interest. Upon establishing direct contact, embedded sensors will deliver proximal information of the investigated site and allow for monitoring of the underlying anatomy with minimal external obstruction. To ensure stable contact between imaging skin and anatomy, soft robotic actuators will be integrated to adaptively interact with the anatomy and counteract external disturbances.


Such envisioned imaging skins will allow for gathering of information which can be combined with priors in AI- and ML-based approaches to monitor procedure progress and outcome, organ and overall patient health as well as efficacy of the treatment amongst others.

The project will open up new paradigms into sensing and perception in MIS which could greatly aid clinicians in decision-making during surgery, allow for more autonomous robotic-assisted surgery and ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes.

Aims and Objectives
-The specific objectives are to:

Identify and investigate fabrication techniques to enable efficient integration of sensing capabilities into the envisioned imaging skins.

Derive means of actuation and control to achieve robust and adaptive prolonged sensing.

Establish advanced computational imaging capabilities based on the novel sensing methodologies.

Develop an integrated prototype which will be trialled in phantom and/or animal models to prove efficacy of the approaches.



Novelty of Research Methodology

To-date, artificial robotic skins are primarily passive and limited to tactile pressure sensing. The work conducted as part of this project will open new pathways into embedded a variety of sensing mechanisms in skin-like structures, which could find application in a variety of medical robotics systems and beyond.



Novel fabrication techniques will be derived to incorporate state-of-the-art sensing in the imaging skins as well as to tightly integrate means of both sensing and actuation. Micro- and nanofabrication methods will be explored and combined with more traditional robotics and soft robotics approaches.

Information obtained from the imaging skins will provide novel metrics of monitoring and assessment during the minimally-invasive procedure. This will provide important clinical insights in real-time and as such enable AI-assisted interventions.

Alignment to EPSRC's strategies and research areas


The proposed project well aligns with the EPSRC grand challenge of the Frontiers of Physical Intervention by proposing a novel approach to intra-operative organ imaging and sensing in minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery.

In terms of cross-cutting research capabilities this project remits in the research area of Medical Device Design and Innovation in the context of robotics for surgical applications, while also investigating advanced biocompatible silicone materials for organ imaging and sensing.


Any companies or collaborators involved

To be defined

The critical mass of scientists and engineers that i4health will produce will ensure the UK's continued standing as a world-leader in medical imaging and healthcare technology research. In addition to continued academic excellence, they will further support a future culture of industry and entrepreneurship in healthcare technologies driven by highly trained engineers with deep understanding of the key factors involved in delivering effective translatable and marketable technology. They will achieve this through high quality engineering and imaging science, a broad view of other relevant technological areas, the ability to pinpoint clinical gaps and needs, consideration of clinical user requirements, and patient considerations. Our graduates will provide the drive, determination and enthusiasm to build future UK industry in this vital area via start-ups and spin-outs adding to the burgeoning community of healthcare-related SMEs in London and the rest of the UK. The training in entrepreneurship, coupled with the vibrant environment we are developing for this topic via unique linkage of Engineering and Medicine at UCL, is specifically designed to foster such outcomes. These same innovative leaders will bolster the UK's presence in medical multinationals - pharmaceutical companies, scanner manufacturers, etc. - and ensure the UK's competitiveness as a location for future R&D and medical engineering. They will also provide an invaluable source of expertise for the future NHS and other healthcare-delivery services enabling rapid translation and uptake of the latest imaging and healthcare technologies at the clinical front line. The ultimate impact will be on people and patients, both in the UK and internationally, who will benefit from the increased knowledge of health and disease, as well as better treatment and healthcare management provided by the future technologies our trainees will produce.

In addition to impact in healthcare research, development, and capability, the CDT will have major impact on the students we will attract and train. We will provide our talented cohorts of students with the skills required to lead academic research in this area, to lead industrial development and to make a significant impact as advocates of the science and engineering of their discipline. The i4health CDT's combination of the highest academic standards of research with excellent in-depth training in core skills will mean that our cohorts of students will be in great demand placing them in a powerful position to sculpt their own careers, have major impact within our discipline, while influencing the international mindset and direction. Strong evidence demonstrates this in our existing cohorts of students through high levels of conference podium talks in the most prestigious venues in our field, conference prizes, high impact publications in both engineering, clinical, and general science journals, as well as post-PhD fellowships and career progression. The content and training innovations we propose in i4health will ensure this continues and expands over the next decade.