Design of a 3D Printed Micro-Transmission System for a Detachable Bronchoscope

Abstract

Abstract Bronchoscopes are used across a wide range of medical procedures. It is highly desirable for a medical practitioner to have a bronchoscope insertion section that can be detached and reattached to its handle. In this study, a novel detachable bronchoscope with a micro-transmission is proposed, manufactured by 3D printing. The micro-transmission allows for the bronchoscope to be detached and reattached to the insertion section during a medical procedure, while maintaining control of the articulating distal end. The equations for calculating the load of the micro-transmission design are reviewed. The maximum load from different screw lead arrangements is determined experimentally.