New Type Catheter Using Photomechanical Crystal Actuator

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K12918
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Medical systems
• Research Institution: Waseda University
• Principal Investigator: Koshima Hideko 早稲田大学, ナノ・ライフ創新研究機構, 客員上級研究員(研究院客員教授) (20304644)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): ASAHI Toru 早稲田大学, 理工学術院, 教授 (80222595)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 分子機械 / 医療・福祉 / 分子性固体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Endoscope and catheter are important medical equipment for inspection and treatment in modern medicine. We have recently developed various photomechanical crystals, which bend upon light irradiation. In this study, we tried to develop new light-driven catheter by using the photomechanical crystals as the actuator. As the results of measurements of Young's modulus and stress as well as the durability of repeated bending, the photomechanical crystals revealed to be available for light-driven actuator. A new photomechanical crystal was also developed which had fast bending speed of 5 Hz. Finally, a prototype light-driven actuator could be made by connecting a photomechanical crystal and an optical fiber. Further improvement is necessary to realize new light-driven catheter enduring practical use.

Free Research Field

有機固体光化学