A soft robotic “Add-on” for colonoscopy: increasing safety and comfort through force monitoring

Abstract

Colonoscopy is vital for diagnosing colorectal cancer, but limitations in instrument dexterity and sensor feedback can affect safety and patient comfort. We propose a disposable soft robotic "add-on" that attaches to existing endoscopic tools, enhancing safety without requiring custom instruments or workflow changes. The robot features soft optical sensors for 3D shape detection and force monitoring. If excessive force is detected, soft actuators redistribute pressure. A graphical interface provides real-time force data alongside the endoscope camera view. Validation experiments show accurate 3D shape reconstruction (8.51% curvature error, 9.67% orientation error) and force estimation up to 6 N with 3.38% accuracy. In-vitro tests confirm effective force redistribution, while ex-vivo tests on a bovine colon demonstrate smooth integration with minimal impact on the user learning curve. In-vivo swine studies validate safety and feasibility, confirming compatibility with existing tools and minimal disruption to clinical workflows, ensuring an efficient colonoscopy experience.