Rotational microactuator for microsurgery

Abstract

The implementation of innovative methods and concepts for microsurgery -especially in the context of endovascular and interventional treatment -require properly fitted and resized instruments. These surgical tools, such as microguiding systems, must be of the highest quality regarding reliability and accuracy while additional medical requirements for the application in the human body have to be fulfilled.In this paper an innovative hydrostatic microactuator system for controlling the rotational degree of freedom of microsurgery instruments is presented. From the possible hydrostatic motor designs, an annular gear motor in orbit setup has been chosen based on its suitability for micro manufacturing. The innovative actuator design includes a rotorintegrated control for connecting the actuator's individual positive-displacement chambers.Firstly, a macro-model of the new actuator was fabricated and tested. The obtained test results have already confirmed the functionality and show the actuator's exciting potential. Currently the macro-model is further resized and the micro fabrication process is being developed.