Abstract
In pharyngeal cancer surgery and single port surgery, arc-shaped forceps are used. Although some of them can rotate their tips in the axial direction, they have insufficient torsional rigidity because elastic inner pipes are used to transmit the torsional rotation. In this study, we propose a cracked metal pipe with ununiform intervals that can bend with a shape matching with an outer pipe still having sufficient torsional rigidity. We designed a cracked inner pipe by using computer simulation for a 5 mm diameter forceps. The contact force with an outer pipe is reduced, resulting in a small resistant torque caused by friction. We experimentally confirm that it can rotate with a torque of about 0.5 Nmm in the groove on an ABS plate.
