Minimally invasive surgery devices

Despite the success of da Vinci robots, there are many procedures awaiting advanced technologies. Still, behind the scenes, many robotic devices and technologies have been applied to traditional surgical procedures and minimally invasive surgeries. 

One of the application segments that is commonly associated with polymer blends is that of surgical instruments. As surgical techniques have proliferated, so has the need for increasingly specialized instruments. The drive toward minimally invasive surgeries has created the need for miniaturization, which in turn drives the need for smaller components with sufficient strength and durability. Access devices that are appropriate for polymer blends include trocars, retractors, and speculums. Hand instruments include staplers and forceps. Thermal ablation and electrosurgi-cal techniques require powered instruments. 

SMPs have most notably been promoted because of their potential in minimally invasive surgery, where a compacted device could be passed through a smaller incision and deployed to its full shape once inside the body [40]. For biomedical devices, the heating of polymer to activate SMEs has been proposed by body, temperature, optical/laser heating, and remote inductive heating [41]. As each of these thermal activation methods is possible within the body, control over SMP geometry is possible with implantable devices. 

In the fourth chapter, biomedical applications of shape-memory polymers are presented. Vascular, orthopaedic, and neuronal applications are elaborated to illustrate how SMP can improve the standard of treatment. Additionally, the practical challenges of the development of SMP for biomedical devices are described. The fifth chapter deals with multifunctional SMP. The combination of the shape-memory effect with hydrolytic degradability and the capability to release a drug in a controlled way are described as an example of multifunctionality. Drug loading and release, as well as the effects of the drugs on the shape-memory properties are discussed and potential applications in minimally-invasive surgery are outlined. 

Laparoscopic Surgery Minimally invasive surgery that is accomplished with a laparoscope and the use of specialized instruments, including laser devices, through small incisions. 

Both unimorph and bimorph benders can be used to realize useful active systems, such as small clamps to move small objects, manipulators conceived for minimally invasive surgery and devices to control the bending of catheters... 

Minimally invasive surgery could reduce surgical intervention-involved complications and postsurgery costs. The shape memory properties of SMPs have made them great candidates for making devices for minimally invasive surgery. A medical device made of SMPs in an initially compressed and temporary shape could be inserted into the body through a small incision to expand on demand into its functional, permanent shape (for example, sheet, stent, and so on) at body temperature. For cardiovascular... 

The use of smart polymers in medical devices for minimally invasive surgery, diagnosis and other applications... 

Key words smart medical devices, minimally invasive surgery, microfluidics and biosensors. 

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