Towards flexible medical instruments: Review of flexible fluidic actuators

• Published in: Precision engineering Vol. 33; no. 4; pp. 311 - 321
• Main Authors: De Greef, Aline, Lambert, Pierre, Delchambre, Alain
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-10-2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Flexible actuator; Fluidic actuator; Inflatable structure; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Medical application; Medical device; Precision engineering, watch making; Medical device; Inflatable structure; Fluidic actuator; Medical application; Flexible actuator; Precision engineering; Valve; Miniaturization; Actuator; Fluidics
• ISSN: 0141-6359; 1873-2372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.precisioneng.2008.10.004

Flexible instruments, i.e. instruments presenting a great number of degrees of freedom and able to perform snake-like movements when avoiding obstacles, can find a lot of applications in the medical field. On the other hand, flexible fluidic actuators, i.e. actuators having a flexible inflatable structure and actuated by fluid, present interesting features regarding medical applications. Therefore, this paper proposes to use these actuators to develop medical flexible instruments.
Firstly, the advantages and drawbacks linked to the use of flexible fluidic actuators are listed and a discussion about the miniaturization of fluidic actuators peripherics (such as valves) is led. Next, a literature review of the existing flexible fluidic actuators is established. It can serve as basis to develop flexible instruments based on these actuators.