Study on Multi-DOF Ultrasonic Actuator for Laparoscopic Instrument

Abstract

In surgical robots, compact manipulators with multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) are essential owing to a small work volume in the patient body. Conventional single-DOF actuators such as electromagnetic motors require a multiple number of actuators to generate multi-DOF motion, which in turn results in bulky mechanism combined with transmission device. Our previous work has developed a compact ultrasonic motor capable of generating a multi-DOF rotation of a spherical rotor utilizing three natural vibration modes of a bar-shaped stator. The present study designs and builds a novel multi-DOF master-slave system for laparoscopic surgical procedures, using a single ultrasonic actuator. The system consists of surgical forceps on multi-DOF wrist with joystick controller. Experimental results have confirmed high responsiveness and precise position control of the master-slave system.