Development of a hydraulic-driven flexible manipulator for neurosurgery

Abstract Minimally invasive surgery has recently become a key word in medical engineering. In this operation, to introduce instruments, spatulas, which push tissues aside and retain the approach path to the affected area and workspace for introducing instruments, are necessary. So, a new type of hydraulic-driven flexible manipulator for neurosurgery has been developed. With a balloon put on, by using only physiological saline for drive system that assures safety, especially in pressure, to brain tissue as well has a simple mechanism. In addition, this gives the advantage of MRI compatibility. We first designed and made the prototype, and then evaluated it.