Design of multifunctional compliant forceps for medical application

ABSTRACT

Recent advances in Minimally Invasive Surgery, multifunctional instruments are essential to improve the efficiency of the surgical procedure. Surgical instruments with combination of wire and links demonstrate high performance, but fabrication and assembly of the instruments are challenging. This open the way for alternate design, and compliant mechanism is the appropriate choice. Compliant mechanism is the flexible mechanism that transfer loads from one point to another through elastic body deformation. This research paper introduces the novel design of compliant forceps, which can cut and collect tissues. Forceps require very high force to cut the tissues and less force to collect the tissues. The concept is developed with respect to the requirement, where switching of functions can be obtained by applying respective input actuation. The concepts of compliant forceps are converted to the realistic model using parameterisation technique. Structural performance of compliant forceps is investigated through the finite element method (FEM). FEM is used to measure the cutting force and grasping force.

KEYWORDS:

• MIS
• compliant mechanism
• FEM

Nomenclature

L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7	=	Length of beams
θ and δ	=	Angle of beams
T1 and T2	=	Thickness of beams

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), India under Grant ECR/2016/001938.

Notes on contributors

Libu George B

Libu George B completed his graduated in mechanical engineering (BE) and Masters in Mechanical Engineering Technology (M.Tech) from Manipal Institute of Technology (Manipal University). He is pursuing his PhD in mechanical engineering from VIT University, India. He is having 11+ years of industrial and research experience. Presently, he is working as Senior mechanical engineer in Baxter India Pvt Ltd, Bangalore. His research interests are Finite Element Analysis, Mechanism Design, compliant mechanism design, Medical equipment Design, verification, Medical equipment Validation Biopsy devices and MEMS.

R. Bharanidaran

R. Bharanidaran, an associate professor of school mechanical engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology Vellore, graduated in mechanical engineering (B.E.) masters in computer aided design (M.E.) from Anna University, India. In 2014, he obtained his PhD from National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli, India for designing compliant microgripper with multi functions. His research interests are compliant mechanism design, Biopsy devices, prosthetics, Flexure hinges, Finite Element Analysis and MEMS. He has published numerous articles in refereed journals and conference proceedings including Elsevier, Springer and in various reputed publishers.