Safety-Active Catheter with Multiple-Segments Driven by Micro-hydraulic Actuators

We proposed and developed an innovative active catheter with multisegments that can bend in the narrow blood vessel. Micro hydraulic actuator system based on new principle has been developed by the authors. Moreover, new micro fabrication method named hybrid stereolithograpy (IH process) requiring any assemble process is introduced for leakage-free packaging catheter. Total system with pressure control system was made. Good safety and drive performance were verified experimentally. We also devised theoretical models of these valves to facilitate quantitative design and to extend applications for safe medical tools.