Events

Date: 12 February 2026   Time: 14:00 - 15:00

Location: SEMS seminar room

Title: A Bowel Phantom for Testing Next-Generation Endoluminal Robots and Therapies
Abstract: Soft-robotic phantoms can accelerate translation of medical devices and procedures by offering a repeatable, ethically sustainable testing framework. The large intestine reabsorbs water and electrolytes, while coordinated peristalsis and segmental contractions mix the stool and propel it forward. Replicating these patterns is crucial for a realistic evaluation of medical devices such as endoscopic capsules which at present relies on static phantoms or animal models.
We present a modular, pneumatic colon phantom that reproduces segmental contractions for mixing and absorption and LAPC for propulsion with independent control. A porous inner surface with fabric lining enables proof-of-concept water reabsorption. With activation and rest cycles of 1.1s and toothpaste as a stool surrogate, the measured mass flow was 9.47 g·min⁻¹. Using an inner lumen diameter of 40 mm and a toothpaste density ranging 0.9–1.3 g·mL⁻¹, this corresponds to an equivalent propagation speed of 1.2–1.7 cm·min⁻¹, consistent with LAPC propulsion reported for the colon.
By combining controllable motility with absorption in a modular soft robot, the phantom provides a versatile platform for studying intestinal physiology and de-risking early translational technology development in gastrointestinal health.
Bio: Carlo Alberto Seneci is a Research Fellow at King's College London and a robotic engineer with a PhD from Imperial College London in the design of surgical robots. His work sits at the intersection of medical device design, mechatronics, and experimental validation, with an emphasis on minimally invasive and endoluminal robotics. He develops realistic physical phantoms and evaluation methods to support repeatable testing of robotic navigation, sensing, and intervention.