Bronchoscopes incorporate actuation systems that enable physicians to open tissue, dissect, and isolate lesions, or remove abnormal structures in treatment [1]. These systems are typically manufactured using subtractive processes, which can constrain a medical device designer since increased complexity often leads to increased costs. The advancement of 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, technology has revolutionized the mechanical design and prototyping process for surgical tools as described in [2-3].In this study, 3D printing is employed to design and implement a detachable bronchoscope consisting of an articulating arm, a detachable articulating arm mechanism, a handle with an embedded gearbox, and a micro-transmission located in the arm. The micro-transmission is a novel screw system that converts rotary motion to linear motion in order to articulate the distal tip. The design of the screw thread is investigated. The torque input necessary to rotate the distal end of the bronchoscopes linkage system is evaluated with respect to the forces required to deflect the distal tip. The resulting tip motion is found to be a function of the screw design parameters including pitch, thread angle, and material properties. A mathematical model was developed and confirmed experimentally starting with the relevant power mechanics equations. Additional details of the design will be presented in the full paper.&nbsp;[1] Wang, K 2012, Flexible Bronchoscopy, Third Edition, Wiley-Blackwell[2] Ventola CL. Medical Applications for 3D Printing: Current and Projected Uses.&nbsp;P T. 2014;39(10): 704-711[3] Yahya E. Choonara, Lisa C. du Toit, Pradeep Kumar, Pierre P. D. Kondiah &amp; Viness Pillay (2016) 3D-printing and the effect on medical costs: a new era?,&nbsp;Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics &amp; Outcomes Research, 16:1, 23-32, https://doi.org/10.1586/14737167.2016.1138860

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

Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ISPS/ISPS2021/volume/84799

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