Combined OCT distance and FBG force sensing cannulation needle for retinal vein cannulation: in vivo animal validation.

PURPOSE: Retinal vein cannulation is an experimental procedure during which a clot-dissolving drug is injected into an obstructed retinal vein. However, due to the fragility and minute size of retinal veins, such procedure is considered too risky to perform manually. With the aid of surgical robots, key limiting factors such as: unwanted eye rotations, hand tremor and instrument immobilization can be tackled. However, local instrument anatomy distance and force estimation remain unresolved issues. A reliable, real-time local interaction estimation between instrument tip and the retina could be a solution. This paper reports on the development of a combined force and distance sensing cannulation needle, and its experimental validation during in vivo animal trials. METHODS: Two prototypes are reported, relying on force and distance measurements based on FBG and OCT A-scan fibres, respectively. Both instruments provide an 80 [Formula: see text] needle tip and have outer shaft diameters of 0.6 and 2.3 mm, respectively. RESULTS: Both prototypes were characterized and experimentally validated ex vivo. Then, paired with a previously developed surgical robot, in vivo experimental validation was performed. The first prototype successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using a combined force and distance sensing instrument in an in vivo setting. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the feasibility of deploying a combined sensing instrument in an in vivo setting. The performed study provides a foundation for further work on real-time local modelling of the surgical scene. This paper provides initial insights; however, additional processing remains necessary.

Laser generated guided waves and finite element modeling for the thickness gauging of thin layers.

In this paper, nondestructive testing has been performed on a thin gold layer deposited on a 2 in. silicon wafer. Guided waves were generated and studied using a laser ultrasonic setup and a two-dimensional fast Fourier transform technique was employed to obtain the dispersion curves. A gold layer thickness of 1.33 microm has been determined with a +/-5% margin of error using the shape of the two first propagating modes, assuming for the substrate and the layer an uncertainty on the elastic parameters of +/-2.5%. A finite element model has been implemented to validate the data post-treatment and the experimental results. A good agreement between the numerical simulation, the analytical modeling and the experimentations has been observed. This method was considered suitable for thickness layer higher than 0.7 microm.

Laser ultrasonics and neural networks for the characterization of thin isotropic plates.

Nondestructive testing has been performed on a thin copper plate. Lamb waves were generated and studied with a noncontact method, using a laser ultrasonic setup. A two-dimensional Fourier transform technique has been employed to obtain the dispersion curves, revealing numerous symmetric and antisymmetric modes. The inverse problem, in other words, the determination of the thickness and the elastic constants of the tested plate, has been solved by means of a feed-forward neural network. These parameters were then evaluated simultaneously, the dispersion curves being entirely fitted. The experimental results show good agreement with the theoretical model. This inversion method was found to be prompt and easy to automate.

High frequency ultrasonic detection of C-crack defects in silicon nitride bearing balls.

A non-destructive testing method for silicon nitride bearing balls based on ultrasonic resonance spectroscopy is proposed here. Through the theoretical study of their elastic vibrations, it is possible to characterize the balls using a vibration mode that is similar to surface wave propagation. The study of the influence of C-crack defects on the resonances of Rayleigh modes is presented here. These C-cracks are typically formed by impacts between balls during finishing or handling. They are frequently found on the surface of silicon nitride bearing balls and these C-cracks decrease the rolling contact fatigue life considerably. This kind of defect is difficult to detect because the C-shaped surface crack is very small and narrow (500 microm x 5 microm), and its depth does not exceed 50 microm. The proposed methodology can both excite spheroidal vibrations in the ceramic balls and detect such vibrations over a large frequency range. In particular, high frequency vibrations are considered because these are similar to the surface waves propagating in the cortical zone of the ceramic balls and consequently they can be used to detect C-crack defects.

Inclusions detection using Lamb waves in flexible printed circuits.

The materials used for the manufacture of flexible printed circuits are selected according to various characteristics: thermal and electrical behavior, moisture absorption, flexibility... Those are determined by the basic materials of the three components of the circuit, which are the conducting layer, the adhesive layer and the dielectric film. Such circuits have a typical thickness of about 200 microm and are therefore an interesting solution for a great number of electronic applications. However, these circuits can present various defects like inclusions, delaminations, cracks... In this work, we are interested in the detection of inclusions using guided waves propagation in such structures. These waves also called Lamb waves have the advantage of propagating over long distances while informing us about the totality of the inspected volume. According to the range of frequencies considered and the method used for their generation, it is possible to make profitable use of different propagation modes. To serve this purpose, laser-induced thermoelastic excitation of the first antisymmetric Lamb waves mode is studied. The results obtained are analysed using signal processing methods and then compared in order to clearly highlight the potentialities of these guided waves for the detection of inclusions in such samples.

Ultrasonic evaluation of residual stresses in flat glass tempering by an original double interferometric detection.

In industrial thermal tempering of glass, the knowledge of the homogeneity of compressive residual stress field on the glass product is fundamental to guarantee the quality of the tempered glass product. In this paper, we use the acoustoelasticity phenomenon in order to estimate the residual stress distribution by using acoustic surface wave. We present an experimental setup based on a double interferometric detection in which an aspheric lens is associated with a beam splitter and a YAG laser whose power is 100 mW. This relative high power enables us to carry out measurements on surface flat glass although optical reflection coefficient is typically weak (< 10%). Using these two points of detection, the evolution of relative surface wave velocity is obtained with a good accuracy. At last, a comparison between the numerical modeling and experimental results shows the potentiality of an ultrasonic method to estimate stress distribution in flat glass tempering.

Non-destructive testing of ceramic balls using high frequency ultrasonic resonance spectroscopy.

Although ceramic balls are used more and more for bearings in the aerospace and space industries, defects in this type of ceramic material could be dangerous, particularly if such defects are located close to the surface. In this paper, we propose a non-destructive testing method for silicon nitride balls, based on ultrasonic resonance spectroscopy. Through the theoretical study of their elastic vibrations, it is possible to characterize the balls using a vibration mode that is similar to surface wave propagation. The proposed methodology can both excite spheroidal vibrations in the ceramic balls and detect such vibrations over a large frequency range. Studying their resonance spectrums allows the balls' elastic parameters be characterized. Ours is an original method that can quickly estimate the velocity of surface waves using high frequency resonances, which permits surface and sub-surface areas to be tested specifically. Two applications are described in this paper. Both use velocity measurements to achieve their different goals, the first to differentiate between flawless balls from different manufacturing processes, and the second to detect small defects, such as cracks. Our method is rapid and permits the entire ceramic ball to be tested in an industrial context.

Determination of stresses in aluminum alloy using optical detection of Rayleigh waves

In this paper, a non-destructive method for the determination of residual stress profiles as a function of depth in laminated aluminium alloy sheets is presented. An ultrasonic method using Rayleigh waves propagating along the sides of the sheet is proposed. The determination of residual stresses is based on the measurement of the relative variation of the ultrasonic wave velocity versus the depth. An experimental device, using the acousto-optic interaction, has been developed to measure the velocity of the Rayleigh wave. Several residual stress profiles obtained by this technique are shown. The latter are compared to other stress profiles obtained by other methods: layer removal method and acoustic detection using wedge transducer.