Abstract: Provided is a hollow organ model unit. The hollow organ model unit includes a base that includes a recessed part, a hollow organ model that is placed in the recessed part, a filler that is filled in the recessed part, and a sensor that performs a measurement on the hollow organ model.

Abstract: A cochlear implant insertion-assisting device includes a tubular member configured to hold a cochlear implant. The tubular member includes a cut extending in a longitudinal direction. The cochlear implant insertion-assisting device can selectively switch between a first state in which the cochlear implant is held and a second state in which the cochlear implant can be released.

Abstract: Provided is a hollow organ model unit. The hollow organ model unit includes a base that includes a recessed part, a hollow organ model that is placed in the recessed part, a filler that is filled in the recessed part, and a sensor that performs a measurement on the hollow organ model.

Abstract: A ultrasound probe according to this invention is provided with: a first dry film resist having a plurality of first apertures formed in an array shape, and respectively supporting the piezoelectric elements in close contact with a rim part of each of the first apertures in a state of partly exposing the function elements; a second dry film resist laminated on the first dry film resist, and also having second apertures respectively enclosing each of the function elements, the second dry film resist being of a thickness equivalent to that of each of the function elements; and a third dry film resist laminated on the second dry film resist, and also having third apertures, and respectively sandwiching each of the piezoelectric elements with the first dry film resist in a state of partly exposing the piezoelectric elements in close contact with a rim part of each of the third apertures.

Abstract: A ultrasound probe according to this invention is provided with: a first dry film resist having a plurality of first apertures formed in an array shape, and respectively supporting the piezoelectric elements in close contact with a rim part of each of the first apertures in a state of partly exposing the function elements; a second dry film resist laminated on the first dry film resist, and also having second apertures respectively enclosing each of the function elements, the second dry film resist being of a thickness equivalent to that of each of the function elements; and a third dry film resist laminated on the second dry film resist, and also having third apertures, and respectively sandwiching each of the piezoelectric elements with the first dry film resist in a state of partly exposing the piezoelectric elements in close contact with a rim part of each of the third apertures.

Abstract: A cochlear implant insertion-assisting device includes a tubular member configured to hold a cochlear implant. The tubular member includes a cut extending in a longitudinal direction. The cochlear implant insertion-assisting device can selectively switch between a first state in which the cochlear implant is held and a second state in which the cochlear implant can be released.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for efficiently performing scanning with light by efficiently increasing amplitude of an emission end of an optical fiber is provided. The optical scanning apparatus includes an optical fiber that guides illumination light emitted from a light source so that the illumination light is emitted from the emission end, a magnetic body fixed to the optical fiber, and a magnetic field generating unit changing a magnetic field to act on the magnetic body to displace a position of the emission end in a radial direction by magnetic force, and the magnetic field generating unit includes a plurality of coils for individually generating magnetic fields acting on the magnetic body at positions separate from each other in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, and the magnetic fields acting on the magnetic body can be individually adjusted at the positions.

Abstract: In order to provide a catheter which can be operated even when it is deformed inside a bent blood vessel and whose movable part can be easily bent and the movable part thus bent is firmly kept in this shape, a catheter includes: a fluid-driven actuator including: a balloon; a restricting member for restricting inflation of the balloon in a short axis direction of the catheter; and a tube which is less stretchable in a long axis direction of the catheter than the balloon is, according to a cross-sectional view of the fluid-driven actuator taken along the short axis direction of the catheter, the tube being eccentrically provided with respect to the restricting member.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for efficiently performing scanning with light by efficiently increasing amplitude of an emission end of an optical fiber is provided. The optical scanning apparatus includes an optical fiber that guides illumination light emitted from a light source so that the illumination light is emitted from the emission end, a magnetic body fixed to the optical fiber, and a magnetic field generating unit changing a magnetic field to act on the magnetic body to displace a position of the emission end in a radial direction by magnetic force, and the magnetic field generating unit includes a plurality of coils for individually generating magnetic fields acting on the magnetic body at positions separate from each other in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, and the magnetic fields acting on the magnetic body can be individually adjusted at the positions.

Abstract: An insertion device and an endoscope which are inserted and extracted through a small incision and have multiple functions. A device body has grip forceps as a treatment means. A first folding back section and a second folding back section are provided at a distal portion of the device body such that the first and second folding back sections are aligned in a row in the longitudinal direction of the device body. The first folding back section and the second folding back section respectively have image obtaining means. An operation means can move the first folding back section to a folded back position in which the first folding back section is folded back relative to the second folding back section, and can also move the second folding back section to a position in which the second folding back section is folded back relative to the device body.

Abstract: An insertion device and an endoscope which are inserted and extracted through a small incision and have multiple functions. A device body has grip forceps as a treatment means. A first folding back section and a second folding back section are provided at a distal portion of the device body such that the first and second folding back sections are aligned in a row in the longitudinal direction of the device body. The first folding back section and the second folding back section respectively have image obtaining means. An operation means can move the first folding back section to a folded back position in which the first folding back section is folded back relative to the second folding back section, and can also move the second folding back section to a position in which the second folding back section is folded back relative to the device body.

Abstract: In order to provide a catheter which can be operated even when it is deformed inside a bent blood vessel and whose movable part can be easily bent and the movable part thus bent is firmly kept in this shape, a catheter includes: a fluid-driven actuator including: a balloon; a restricting member for restricting inflation of the balloon in a short axis direction of the catheter; and a tube which is less stretchable in a long axis direction of the catheter than the balloon is, according to a cross-sectional view of the fluid-driven actuator taken along the short axis direction of the catheter, the restricting member.

Abstract: A driving mechanism using shape memory alloys comprises a first and a second shape memory alloys coils (1, 2), a pin-like drive member (3) connected to each of the shape memory alloys coils (1, 2) extending in the axis direction, a substrate (4) having a wiring pattern (11) and a drive circuit (4a) to supply current to the shape memory alloys coils (1, 2), and a magnetic latch part (9) to hold the drive member (3), and the magnetic latch part (9) has a latch position in the axis direction of the drive member (3), the drive circuit (4a) selectively current-drives the first and the second shape memory alloys coils (1, 2), the driven first or second shape memory alloys coils (1, 2) is heated and compressed to move the drive member (3) in the axis direction, and magnetic bodies (9a, 9b) provided to the drive member (3) is magnetically fixed at the latch position, thereby fixed and held in the axis direction.

Abstract: A driving mechanism using shape memory alloys comprises a first and a second shape memory alloys coils (1, 2), a pin-like drive member (3) connected to each of the shape memory alloys coils (1, 2) extending in the axis direction, a substrate (4) having a wiring pattern (11) and a drive circuit (4a) to supply current to the shape memory alloys coils (1, 2), and a magnetic latch part (9) to hold the drive member (3), and the magnetic latch part (9) has a latch position in the axis direction of the drive member (3), the drive circuit (4a) selectively current-drives the first and the second shape memory alloys coils (1, 2), the driven first or second shape memory alloys coils (1, 2) is heated and compressed to move the drive member (3) in the axis direction, and magnetic bodies (9a, 9b) provided to the drive member (3) is magnetically fixed at the latch position, thereby fixed and held in the axis direction.

Abstract: A scanning mirror unit for scanning a beam comprises: at least one cantilever which is formed by bonding an elastic material and a piezoelectric material together and supported by a base at its one end; and a movable mirror which is supported at least by a free end of the cantilever at its peripheral part. When voltage is applied to the piezoelectric material, the free end of the cantilever moves in a prescribed direction to press and move the peripheral part of the movable mirror while leaving a central part of the movable mirror at substantially the same position to cause a tilt to the movable mirror. With such composition of the scanning mirror unit, a reflecting member having a sufficient thickness (e.g. some hundreds of microns) can be employed for the movable mirror, by which a high power laser beam effective for treatment of affected parts, etc. can be reflected finely and durably.

Abstract: A method of making an active slender tube as implemented as a catheter, guide wire, or any other medical or non-medical micro-mechanical or -system or system's active micro-component is disclosed, comprising preparing an actuator made from a shape memory alloy (SMA) and forming at least a portion of a tubular body; disposing outside of SMA made actuator an elastically deformable outer skeleton coaxially therewith; and fastening together SMA made actuator and outer skeleton wire adjacent to non-insulated portions, step of fastening includes a step of passing an electric current through a lead wire while in an electroplating liquid to deposit a metal on lead wire and non-insulated portions from said liquid and thereby to electrically join SMA made actuator and outer skeleton together at corresponding areas.

Abstract: An active tube and its system are offered which can be directed by bending its tip, controlling the degree of bend, thereby easily capable of insertion into difficult positions, and which can be driven at low temperature at which it can be used for inspection and medical treatment. A bending mechanism (21) is constructed by wiring an SMA coil (21e) along an outer side of a working channel tube (21a). The bending mechanism (21) is inserted into an outer skin tube (25) with a plurality of built-in weights (22). A front tip (23) is attached to the front end side of the bending mechanism (21) as a tip (2) of an active tube (1). A main tube (4) is connected through the working channel tube (21a) at the tip (2). A wire (21g) is connected to the SMA coil (21e). Said wire (21g) is inserted to the behind end side (41) of the main tube (4) in a wiring channel (4B9 of the main tube, thereby makes it possible to drive the bending mechanism (21) from outside.

Abstract: Catheter of such a structure that Ti—Ni superelastic allow (SEA) tube has its outside covered with thin-film silicone rubber tube. The SEA tube at part whose flexion is desired is wrought to cut off multiple grooves (crenas) with thin joints left. The covering with the silicone rubber tube is effected without the use of its front end portion in the covering. When a negative pressure is applied to physiological saline placed therein, the front end portion works as a valve, and the silicone rubber tube at the wrought part yields inward so that flexion of the catheter occurs at that part.

Abstract: An active guide wire (1) that can be used in a narrow blood vessel in a complicate vascular system such as intracerebral is disclosed as well as a method of making the same. The active wire comprises a bias coil spring (3); an outer tube (4) having the bias coil spring (3) sheathed therewith and providing an external wall for the active wire guide (1); and a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator (5) in the form of a flat sheet anchored in and securely connected to the outer tube (4), wherein the flat sheet SMA actuator (5) is shape memorized so as to bend in a direction of the thickness of the flat sheet and has a shape running zigzag longitudinally thereof. The actuator (5) is energized with an electric current and thereby heated to have its leading end bent.

Abstract: An active slender tube as implemented as a catheter, guide wire, or any other medical or non-medical micro-mechanical or -system or system's active micro-component is disclosed that has a simple structure which facilitates the active slender tube to be reduced in diameter and with the capability of being multi-functionalized. The slender tube is provided in its distal, active end portion in the form of “J” with a bending, a torsionally rotating, an extending and retracting and/or a stiffness control mechanism. These mechanisms are adapted to bend, torsionally rotate, extend/retract and adjust stiffness of, the active end portion, respectively, with precision. Each mechanism comprises an outer skeleton including a liner coil spring, and an SMA (shape memory alloy) made coil actuator disposed inside of the liner coil coaxially therewith and fastened thereto.