Author:
Konishi Satoshi,Oya Fumitaka
Abstract
Abstract
Microactuators are the most distinctive and challenging microdevices among micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) relative to microsensors or electronic circuits. Soft and flexible microactuators have been achieved by introducing polymers as structural materials in addition to conventional materials. Expanding the application of MEMS to the biomedical field requires particular features, such as softness and small devices. It is important to address small and fragile biological objects while satisfying the demand for minimally invasive medicine. Both MEMS and biomedical applications require three-dimensional microstructures for higher-order functions. In general, microactuators are limited to simple motions such as bending. Our group has developed an openable artificial small intestinal tract system. An array of pneumatic balloon actuators (PBAs) transforms a flat structure into a tube structure representing the small intestine. Coordination of the bending motions of the PBAs enables the formation of a three-dimensional tube structure. Each PBA is 400 μm × 1800 μm × 100 μm. The diameter of the tube structure is 1 mm. Additional higher-order functions of the artificial small intestine, such as peristaltic motion, are currently of interest for us. This paper describes the morphological transformation of a soft microstructure and further potential possibilities of coordinated motions of soft microactuators.
Funder
Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Cited by
2 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献