Search Results (7)

Additive manufacturing (AM) enables the fabrication of complex three-dimensional components with embedded internal flow channels, but the as-built inner surfaces often exhibit high roughness and poor surface-quality uniformity, particularly at non-coplanar corner regions such as sharp bends and junctions. Conventional abrasive flow machining (AFM) can improve the overall surface finish of such channels; however, corner regions commonly remain weak-removal zones because of local flow stagnation and insufficient abrasive action. To address this limitation, this study proposes a six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) robotic-arm-assisted liquid metal-driven abrasive flow (LM-AF) polishing strategy in which robotic pose regulation is used to guide the liquid metal droplet to designated corner regions while preserving its responsiveness to the electric field. Numerical simulations and conventional AFM experiments on S-shaped and M-shaped spatial channels were first conducted to identify the corner regions as the primary sources of polishing non-uniformity. A robotic posture-control framework was then established through manipulator kinematics, point-cloud-based flow-direction identification, and Rodrigues-matrix-based pose transformation. On this basis, localized secondary polishing was experimentally performed on an S-shaped channel using an AC electric-field-driven liquid-metal abrasive system. The results show that corner-region roughness was significantly reduced and approached the straight-channel benchmark after secondary polishing, demonstrating a marked improvement in inner-surface uniformity. This study provides a practical route for targeted compensation polishing in complex three-dimensional internal channels and offers a new framework for robotic-assisted post-processing of AM-fabricated flow paths. Full article

Background: Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery is increasingly recognized as an advanced minimally invasive technique for treating non-small cell lung cancer, offering technical advantages such as enhanced precision and visualization. Although numerous studies have been published worldwide, there are no comparable data from Poland. Therefore, evidence on the perioperative safety and oncologic adequacy of robotic-assisted lobectomy during early phase of program implementation within the Polish healthcare system remains limited. Methods: This retrospective, single-institution observational study included 81 consecutive patients who underwent robotic-assisted lobectomy for primary NSCLC between January 2022 and December 2024. All procedures were carried out using the da Vinci Xi system with a standardized four-arm portal approach. Clinical, perioperative, and pathologic parameters were prospectively collected and analyzed descriptively. Postoperative complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo. Results: The median patient age was 70 years (IQR: 65–74), 52% were male, and 67% had a history of smoking. Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histologic subtype (51%). The median operative time was 176 min (IQR: 149–220). There were no conversions to thoracotomy and no 30-day mortalities. Postoperative complications occurred in 24% of cases, with prolonged air leak being most common (17%). The median hospital stay was 8 days (IQR: 6–10). R0 resection was achieved in 96% of patients, with a median of 14 lymph nodes dissected across 5 nodal stations. Conclusions: Robotic-assisted lobectomy performed during the early implementation phase of a national program demonstrated low morbidity, high rates of complete (R0) resection, and adequate lymph node yields consistent with international benchmarks. These results support the feasibility of robotic lobectomy within the Polish healthcare setting; however, the single-surgeon, single-center design limits generalizability. Further multicenter prospective studies are needed to confirm reproducibility, assess learning curves, and evaluate long-term oncologic outcomes. Full article

This research tackles the intricate machining properties of cylindrical aspheric surfaces with a versatile adaption approach utilizing a robotic arm and a compact tool head, incorporating trajectory optimization. A three-step integrated error compensation framework was established as the core to address spatial inaccuracies in robotic systems, incorporating coordinate measuring machine (CMM)-based cylindrical generatrix offset correction, laser tracker-assisted progressive coordinate calibration, and contour profiler-driven feedback compensation. Complemented by a curvature-driven trajectory design, the method ensures uniform polishing coverage for non-uniform curvature surfaces. Experimental validation on S-TiH53 glass cylindrical aspheric components demonstrated a surface profile accuracy of peak-to-valley (PV) value ≤ 2 μm, meeting stringent requirements for high-power laser applications. This systematic approach enhances both efficiency and accuracy in robotic polishing, offering a viable solution for high-end optical manufacturing. Full article

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the evolution of surgical approaches in the management of endometrial cancer in Polish tertiary referral hospitals, comparing the use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and laparotomy in 2023 versus 2013. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed data from tertiary referral centers in Poland. All surgeries performed for apparently early-stage endometrial cancer in 2013 and 2023 were included. Results: A total of 1062 patients were analyzed, with 417 undergoing operations in 2013 and 640 in 2023. In 2013, 92.6% (386/417) of patients underwent laparotomy. By 2023, 80.1% (513/640) of patients were treated using minimally invasive approaches, including laparoscopy (56.2%, 362/640), robotic-assisted laparoscopy (21.7%, 139/640), and vaginal surgery (1.9%, 12/640). No conversions to laparotomy were recorded in 2013. In 2023, 22 conversions occurred—21 in the laparoscopy group (5.8%, 21/362) and one in the vaginal surgery group (8.3%, 1/12). No conversions were reported in the robotic-assisted group. Intraoperative complications were observed in 2.2% (8/362) of laparoscopic cases, and postoperative complications in 4.4% (16/362). In the robotic-assisted group, one intraoperative complication (0.7%) was reported, with no postoperative complications. Conclusions: Over the past decade, there has been a significant shift in the surgical management of endometrial cancer in Poland, with a growing preference for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The rate of conversion from MIS to laparotomy remains below 6%. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery may offer additional benefits, particularly for obese patients. Full article

The rapid development of new technologies has caused interest in the use of socially assistive robots in the care of older people. These devices can be used not only to monitor states of health and assist in everyday activities but also to counteract the deterioration of cognitive functioning. The aim of the study was to investigate the attitudes and preferences of Polish respondents towards interventions aimed at the preservation/improvement of cognitive functions delivered by a socially assistive robot. A total of 166 individuals entered the study. Respondents completed the User’s Needs, Requirements and Attitudes Questionnaire; items connected to cognitive and physical activity and social interventions were analyzed. Perceptions and attitudes were compared by gender and age groups (older adults ≥ 60 years old and younger adults 20–59). Women showed a more positive attitude towards robots than men and had a significantly higher perception of the role of the robots in reminding about medications (p = 0.033) as well as meal times and drinks (p = 0.018). There were no significant differences between age groups. Respondents highly valued both the traditional role of the robot—a reminding function—as well as the cognitive interventions and guided physical exercises provided by it. Our findings point to the acceptance of the use of socially assistive robots in the prevention of cognitive deterioration in older people. Full article

In this study feature extraction of force signals detected during robot-assisted polishing processes was carried out to estimate the surface roughness during the process. The purpose was to collect significant features from the signal that allow the determination of the end point of the polishing process based on surface roughness. For this objective, dry polishing turning tests were performed on a Robot-Assisted Polishing (RAP) machine (STRECON NanoRAP 200) during three polishing sessions, using the same polishing conditions. Along the tests, force signals were acquired and offline surface roughness measurements were taken at the end of each polishing session. As a main conclusion, it can be affirmed, regarding the force signal, that features extracted from both time and frequency domains are valuable data for the estimation of surface roughness. Full article

The polishing process is the most common technology used in applications where a high level of surface quality is demanded. The automation of polishing processes is especially difficult due to the high level of skill and dexterity that is required. Much of this difficulty arises because of the lack of reliable data on the effect of the polishing parameters on the resulting surface roughness. An experimental study was developed to evaluate the surface roughness obtained during Robot Assisted Polishing processes by the analysis of acoustic emission signals in the frequency domain. The aim is to find out a trend of a feature or features calculated from the acoustic emission signals detected along the process. Such an evaluation was made with the objective of collecting valuable information for the establishment of the end point detection of polishing process. As a main conclusion, it can be affirmed that acoustic emission (AE) signals can be considered useful to monitor the polishing process state. Full article