Micromachined optical fiber enclosed 4-electrode IPMC actuator with multidirectional control ability for biomedical application.
The present paper examined a novel micromachined column structured Ion Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) actuator with multidirectional control capability. The developed 4-electrode transducer enclosed a section of optical fiber, thereby allowing electronic directional control of conducted laser light. The fabricated device with IPMC actuator dimensions of 5 mm x 2 mm x 1 mm reached a maximum displacement of 400 μm when a square wave of 9 V was applied to the top-bottom electrode pair. Displacements in different directions and moving angles were characterized with side-side and top-right electrode pairs connected to the actuating signals. Furthermore, the generating moment per volt per second by the transducer was analyzed. The maximum value of approximately 200 μN*m/V/s was displayed when the device actuated with the side-side electrode pair. Controlling the developed IPMC actuator moved the laser beam in multiple directions. This device could be promising for biomedical applications such as microendoscopic ocular surgery.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi 621, Taiwan. imeghf@ccu.edu.tw
Guo-Hua
GH
Feng
Jen-Wei
JW
Tsai
D020811:Biomedical Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004566:Electrodes; D004724:Endoscopy; D007834:Lasers; D055616:Microtechnology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055100:Optical Fibers; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D014159:Transducers
D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011108:Polymers