A deflectable video camera system for laparoscopic surgery based on shape memory alloy actuators.

ABSTRACT: Laparoscopic instruments are usually not deflectable and therefore have significant usability limitations in minimally invasive surgery. Flexible-tip devices have been introduced, but they are still controlled by manual Bowden cables or conventional motors and are heavy and expensive. An interesting alternative are shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators, because they are lightweight, cost-efficient and offer the potential for a universal actuator platform for laparoscopic and other endoscopic instruments. This paper presents a laparoscopic video camera with electronic deflection control via thumb joystick. Its actuator unit consists of four SMA wires, whose special tensioning mechanism ensures both optimal preload and length compensation. The camera is tiltable in two degrees of freedom, enabl

SUBMITTER: Pietsch M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11965422 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature