On the design of a macro-micro parallel manipulator for cochlear microrobot operations

Background: The method of stem cell transfer to narrow cochlear canals in vivo to generate hair cells is still an unclear operation. Thus, the development of any possible method that will ensure the usage of medical microrobots in small cochlear workspaces is a challenging procedure.

Methods: The current study tries to introduce a macro-micro manipulator system composed of a 6-DoF industrial serial manipulator as a macro manipulator and a proposed 5-DoF parallel manipulator with dual end effectors as a micro manipulator carrying permanent magnets for tetherless microrobot actuation inside the cochlea.

Results: Throughout the study, structural synthesis and kinematic analysis of the proposed micro manipulator were introduced. A prototype of the manipulator was manufactured and its hardware verification procedures were carried out using motion capture cameras and surgical navigation registration methodologies.

Conclusions: Following motion training, the assembled macro-micro manipulator was successfully utilised to actuate a microrobot placed inside a manufactured cochlea mockup model.