Robot Control for Remote Ophthalmology and Pediatric Physical Rehabilitation

Authors

Melissa Morris, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor's Name

Sabri Tosunoglu

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Ibrahim Tansel

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Benjamin Boesl

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Yiding Cao

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fifth Advisor's Name

Leonard Elbaum

Fifth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Sixth Advisor's Name

Oren Masory

Sixth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

Robotics, mechatronics, ophthalmology, rehabilitation

Date of Defense

4-21-2017

Abstract

The development of a robotic slit-lamp for remote ophthalmology is the primary purpose of this work. In addition to novel mechanical designs and implementation, it was also a goal to develop a control system that was flexible enough to be adapted with minimal user adjustment to various styles and configurations of slit-lamps. The system was developed with intentions of commercialization, so common hardware was used for all components to minimize the costs. In order to improve performance using this low-cost hardware, investigations were made to attempt to achieve better performance by applying control theory algorithms in the system software. Ultimately, the controller was to be flexible enough to be applied to other areas of human-robot interaction including pediatric rehabilitation via the use of humanoid robotic aids. This application especially requires a robust controller to facilitate safe interaction. Though all of the prototypes were successfully developed and made to work sufficiently with the control hardware, the application of advanced control did not yield notable gains as was hoped. Further investigations were made attempting to alter the performance of the control system, but the components selected did not have the physical capabilities for improved response above the original software implemented. Despite this disappointment, numerous novel advances were made in the area of teleoperated ophthalmic technology and pediatric physical rehabilitation tools. This includes a system that is used to remote control a slit-lamp and lens for examinations and some laser procedures. Secondly, a series of of humanoid systems suitable for both medical research and therapeutic modeling were developed. This included a robotic face used as an interactive system for ophthalmic testing and training. It can also be used as one component in an interactive humanoid robotic system that includes hands and arms to allow use of teaching sign language, social skills or modeling occupational therapy tasks. Finally, a humanoid system is presented that can serve as a customized surrogate between a therapist and client to model physical therapy tasks in a realistic manner. These systems are all functional, safe and low-cost to allow for feasible implementation with patients in the near future.

Identifier

FIDC001981

ORCID

0000-0002-5524-1608

Recommended Citation

Morris, Melissa, "Robot Control for Remote Ophthalmology and Pediatric Physical Rehabilitation" (2017). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3350.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3350