Artificial-esophagus with peristaltic motion using shape memory alloy

Issue title: Selected Papers from the 14th International Symposium on Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics (ISEM 2009), Part I

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Miki, Hiroyuki^a | Okuyama, Takeshi^b | Kodaira, Shingo^b | Luo, Yun^c | Takagi, Toshiyuki^a | Yambe, Tomoyuki^d | Sato, Takeshi^a

Affiliations: [a] Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University, Katahira 2-1-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan | [b] Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Aramaki-Aza, Aoba 6-6-01, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8579, Japan | [c] Institute of Biomedical Manufacturing and Life Quality Engineering, School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, A825 Mech. Bldg., 800 Dong Chuan Rd Shanghai 200240, China | [d] Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Seiryo-chou 4-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan

Abstract: Artificial esophagus of less invasive medical applications utilizing mechanical property of shape memory alloys (SMAs) with peristaltic motion is developed. The artificial-esophagus is composed of two SMA springs, polyvinyl chloride tube, and acrylic plate. The dynamic characteristics of an artificial-esophagus actuator are evaluated in terms of the food transport capacity. Closing pressure and the transport speed have sufficiently realized with human-like qualities. The possibility for fully self-contained artificial-esophagus using SMAs is discussed.

Keywords: Artificial esophagus, peristaltic motion, shape memory alloy, actuator

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2010-1176

Journal: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 33, no. 1-2, pp. 705-711, 2010