DR. GREGORY BUCKNER
Associate Professor
Research Interests
Modeling, analysis and control of dynamic systems; Electromechanical systems; Intelligent control; Mechatronics; Surgical robotics; Active and semi-active vehicle suspensions
Jason Stevens evaluates prototype cardiac retractor using a da Vinci(TM) surgical robot
Research Facilities: Electro-Mechanics Research Laboratory (EMRL)
Dr. Buckner is director of the EMRL, a research and instruction facility that supports over $300,000/year in funded research. This 850 sq. ft. lab is equipped with test and measurement equipment, real-time data acquisition and control hardware, power supplies and controllers, electrical and mechanical components, and tools for fabrication, evaluation, and control of electromechanical devices. The EMRL provides dedicated office space for 5 graduate students and a lab manager, as well as workspace for undergraduate students involved in funded research and course design projects.
Shaphan Jernigan has served as lab manager of the EMRL since receiving his M.S. degree from NCSU in May 2006, performing many roles. He supervises the administrative aspects of lab activities and instructs graduate and undergraduate research assistants with the safe use of equipment. He assists Dr. Buckner with editing of technical papers and research proposals and coordinates many research activities. While taking minor roles in other research activities, Shaphan serves an active role in two NIH-funded research projects: 1) an automated suturing device for minimally invasive surgery and 2) a minimally invasive atrial retractor.
Specific facilities and equipment include:
• Test and Measurement: Fluke Scopemeters and multimeters, Vishay/Micro-Measurements strain gage amplifiers, PCB piezoelectric accelerometers and signal conditioning units, PCB piezoelectric load cells and signal conditioning units, Kistler piezoelectric load cells and signal conditioning units, Transducer Techniques load cells and signal conditioning units, hydraulic and electromechanical dynamometers, Magnetic Instrumentation Gaussmeter, Monarch optical tachometers, Dyonics endoscope equipment, Biosense Webster CARTO XP electroanatomical mapping system
• Data Acquisition and Control: dSpace 1102 hardware and software, xPC-Target hardware and software, National Instruments 6024E and 6036E DAQcards and Labview software, MATLAB data acquisition toolbox, Simulink Real-Time Workshop, Z-World C-programmable data acquisition and display unit
• Power Supplies and Controllers: Kepco BOP programmable bipolar amplifiers, Copley Controls programmable DC amplifiers, Pacific Scientific BLDC motors and controllers, Linmot BLDC linear actuators and controllers, Quin motion controllers, Agilent power supplies and function/arbitrary waveform generators
• Tools: Vibration isolated workbenches with breadboard tops, solder stations, Sherline CNC milling machine, bandsaw, complete stock of hand tools for electrical and mechanical prototyping
Current and Recent Funded Research Projects
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Variable Geometry Spray Fuel Injection: Investigating its Effects on Combustion Efficiency and Emissions
Principal Investigators: Tiegang Fang, Gregory D. Buckner
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (DMII)
Dates: July 16, 2009 – July 15, 2012
The primary objective of this research is to study the effect of variable geometry fuel injection on combustion efficiency and pollutant production of compression-ignition engines. To enable this investigation, the PIs have designed a novel injector capable of independently controlling the fuel spray cone angle and the fuel flow rate throughout the injection process. A prototype injector will be used to study the effect of the cone angle variation on air-fuel mixing, ignition, combustion, and pollutant formation. The injector features a movable pintle inside a specially shaped nozzle to produce a hollow-cone spray with a wide variation in spray angle (70° - 160°). The pintle will be controlled using a piezoelectric actuator which will provide precise positioning at high bandwidth. The fuel flow rate will be controlled by an independent solenoid actuator as in conventional injectors. The device will be capable of smoothly varying the spray angle throughout the injection process.
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A Novel Approach to the Treatment of Cardiac Arrhythmia: A Robotic Catheter for Epicardial Pacing Lead Placement
Principal Investigator: Gregory D. Buckner
Co-Investigators: Shaphan R. Jernigan
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (Phase 1 SBIR), State of North Carolina, with LifeSciTech, LLC
Dates: February 15, 2009 – November 15, 2009
The primary objective of this Phase I SBIR proposal is to develop and demonstrate shape memory alloy (SMA) actuated catheter technology that will result in the development of robotic catheters for minimally invasive surgery and catheterization in Phase II. This technology has the potential to transform such procedures by providing unprecedented maneuverability, visualization, and access to open spaces within the body. Benefiting from the precision and repeatability of computer-based control, these catheters have the potential to impact a variety of medical fields, including cardiology, cardiac surgery, pediatric surgery and urology.
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Reciprocating Micro Saw for Reversible Canal Wall Down Tympanomastoidectomy
Principal Investigator: Gregory D. Buckner
Sponsor: MicroSyntronics, Inc.
Dates: January 16, 2009 – December 31, 2009
The project involves the design of a lightweight, reciprocating microsaw for cutting bone in otolaryngology surgeries. The targeted procedure is the reversible canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy for the treatment of aural cholesteatomas. The procedure requires temporary removal of the posterior bony wall canal within a confined region.
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Innovative Tools and Techniques for Robotic Heart Surgery
Principal Investigator: Gregory D. Buckner
Co-Investigators: Denis R. Cormier (NCSU, IE), Bryan W. Lafitte (NCSU, Design), W. Randolph Chitwood, MD (ECU), L. Wiley Nifong, MD (ECU), Gil Bolotin, MD (MUH), Richard Cook, MD (VGH)
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
Dates: August 16, 2004 - July 31, 2008
The specific aims of this multidisciplinary research program focus on developing technologies that facilitate and extend the capabilities of minimally-invasive, robot assisted (MIRA) cardiac surgery. These include: (1) Devices for rapid and secure fixation of suture materials and prosthetic devices: specifically instruments and cartridges that provide "push-button" fixation for specific procedures (e.g. atrial closure and leaflet repair) using both existing suture materials and advanced clips and staples. (2) Endoscopic retractors to improve visualization of essential cardiac structures: endoscopically-deployable retractors that utilize the superelastic properties of Nitinol to facilitate totally closed surgical procedures. (3) Systems to aid the surgeon in incision planning, robotic navigation, and operative training: technology that can be used to measure and register critical anatomical landmarks with pre-operative and intra-operative spatial data to identify optimal port placement and robot instrument trajectories.
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GE-F110 Agile Combat Support - Intelligent Event Detection
Principal Investigator: Gregory D. Buckner
Sponsor: General Electric Aviation
Dates: July 1, 2006 – December 30, 2007
The objectives of this research are to assess the current state of the art of real-time event detection methods, including algorithms, techniques, architectures, and areas of implementation. Develop intelligent and novel ways to detect and diagnose anomalous system behavior. The platform upon which to test these methods will be a model of the GE F110 gas turbine engine. |
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