Developoment of a magnetic intra-uterine manipulator
Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
This paper introduces the concept of a novel
magnetic intra-uterine manipulator, intended to
overcome conventional medical devices’
shortcomings, and enabling non-invasive uterine
manipulation during surgery. However, analyses
have shown that the magnetic manipulator is unable
to compete in terms of the range of motion of the
existing devices. A limited anterior sagittal rotation
range of 60° was observed in a magnetic manipulator
compared to a range of 140° for conventional
devices. Despite these limitations, use of a magnetic
manipulator could eliminate the need for an
additional medical assistant during surgery; it is also
reusable and thus also more economical. The second
goal of the research was to investigate which type of
setup would be most successful in effective uterine
manipulation. Through concept analysis, a cart-onarch
system was deemed most effective. To lift an
effective load of 1 N over an air gap of 150 mm, rareearth
N38 neodymium (NdFeBr) magnets showed the
most promise as magnetic actuators for the
manipulator. Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
simulations of the magnetic set-up were validated
experimentally and produced an acceptable Mean
Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.15 N.
Description
CITATION: Doll, S., Scheffer, C. & Du Toit, G. 2013. Developoment of a magnetic intra-uterine manipulator. R&D Journal, 29:11-17.
The original publication is available at https://www.saimeche.org.za/page/RDJournal
The original publication is available at https://www.saimeche.org.za/page/RDJournal
Keywords
Laparoscopic surgery, Uterus -- Surgery, Surgical robots
Citation
Doll, S., Scheffer, C. & Du Toit, G. 2013. Developoment of a magnetic intra-uterine manipulator. R&D Journal, 29:11-17.