Healthcare

MicroWire actuators combine miniature size, biocompatibility, and low energy requirements, opening up new opportunities for advanced medical devices and surgical tools. Their ability to deliver controlled motion in ultra-compact formats makes them ideally suited for minimally invasive procedures, implantable systems, and precision surgical instruments.

Beyond compactness, MicroWire technology offers high durability under cyclic loads, scalability across diverse device architectures, and compatibility with established manufacturing methods. These features enable the development of lightweight, intelligent medical systems that improve patient outcomes, reduce invasiveness, and increase reliability in mission-critical healthcare applications.

Applications within the medical sector

Minimally Invasive Surgical Devices

MicroWire actuators bring flexibility and controlled actuation into compact surgical tools:

Guidewires and Catheters: Superelastic properties allow navigation through complex vascular paths without kinking.
Endoscopic Retrieval Tools: Devices such as snares and baskets can be miniaturized for insertion, then expanded within the body.
Staples and Clips: Heat-activated MicroWire clips can provide secure vessel closure or tissue approximation.

Surgical Instruments and Robotics

Replacing bulkier electromechanical components, MicroWire actuators enable compact, dexterous surgical systems:

Micro-Graspers: Open and close at body temperature or via controlled heating, supporting laparoscopic and robotic procedures.
Steerable Needles: Enable precise navigation inside soft tissues.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery: Allow smaller, lighter robotic tools with improved maneuverability compared to motor-driven systems.

Smart and Implantable Medical Devices

MicroWire actuators add reliability and adaptability to a variety of implantable systems:

Heart Valves: Self-expanding frames for minimally invasive valve replacement procedures (e.g., TAVR).
Drug Delivery Systems: Used in pumps or micro-actuators to enable controlled medication release.
Hearing Aids and Implants: Improve vibration transfer in middle-ear implants.

Prosthetic and Haptic Applications

MicroWire-based shape memory actuators can replicate lifelike motion in prosthetic limbs and wearable haptic devices. Their compact size and smooth actuation make them ideal for integration into finger joints, tendons, and grip mechanisms where precision and responsiveness are critical.

Finger and Hand Actuation: MicroWires can drive flexion and extension in individual fingers of prosthetic hands, providing more natural and dexterous movements compared to bulky motors.
Grip and Release Mechanisms: Shape memory actuators enable controlled grasping and holding of objects, adapting grip strength to the object’s shape and weight.
Haptic Feedback Systems: Integrated into prosthetic or exoskeletal devices, MicroWires can generate small, controlled forces to simulate touch, vibration, or resistance, improving user awareness and control.
Lightweight Wearables: Because of their low power consumption and microscopic dimensions, MicroWires are well suited for compact haptic gloves and rehabilitation devices that restore or enhance motor function.
Adaptive Grasping in Assistive Robotics: Used in robotic arms or rehabilitation robots, MicroWire actuators allow for smooth, biomimetic motion, enhancing patient rehabilitation and support in daily activities.

Advantages of Shape Memory MicroWires in Medicine

Biocompatibility: Safe for long-term use in the body.
Extreme Miniaturization: Enables device designs beyond the limits of conventional actuators.

Self-Deployment: Simplifies implant systems by eliminating complex mechanical release mechanisms.
Durability: Withstands millions of cycles without fatigue, critical in dynamic medical environments.

Industries

Industries where MicroWire Technology Makes an Impact

Aviation

Industry

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