Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
804686 Precision Engineering 2009 11 Pages PDF
Abstract

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.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Engineering Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
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