Modern technology in the service of medicine makes operations safer or allows conventional surgical procedures to be converted into interventions that are less stressful for the patient.
One of the best examples of particularly gentle medical procedures is minimally invasive surgery. Instead of large incisions, tiny openings, for example in the navel, are perfectly sufficient. Naturally, such surgical procedures require appropriate equipment. Since all components must be used as compactly as possible on-site, small actuators are particularly well-suited for this type of medical actuation. High performance, minimal volume, excellent controllability, and adaptability to all medical standards make them ideal when the surgeon's dexterity is paramount.
However, the surgical instruments used must also meet high standards of flexibility, reliability, and ergonomics. The French company EndoControl, based in La Tronche near Grenoble, has developed its new ViKY system (Vision Control for endoscopY) precisely tailored to these demands of everyday medical practice. To accommodate the system's diverse capabilities for surgeons in a compact space, the developers collaborated with the small-drive specialist FAULHABER from Schönaich, Germany. Modern miniature motors with precision gearboxes and motion controllers now precisely execute the surgeon's commands.
The new endoscopy system was designed from the outset for flexibility and a compact design. This allows for all standard procedures in the abdominal cavity, thoracic cavity, and other body cavities. Its small size compared to other systems allows the surgeon to stand directly at the patient's bedside. This is a significant advantage, as it enables the physician to apply their experience through direct contact with the patient, rather than relying solely on pre-filtered information displayed on a screen.
Thanks to its comparatively low acquisition and operating costs, the ease of sterilization already factored into its design, and its compact dimensions, the new system can be used in many areas of surgery. The finely controllable drives thus allow for equally diverse applications in gynecology, urology, and gastrointestinal, bariatric, or thoracoscopic procedures. Here, the full range of these compact drive systems is utilized for the benefit of the patient.
Naturally, only small, compact, yet powerful motors are suitable for such a task. This is where modern drive technology can demonstrate its potential. Smooth running, thanks to ball bearings specially adapted to the requirements of the ViKY system, as well as sensitive responses to control commands and high power density, speak for themselves. The wide operating temperature range of -30 to +125 °C also allows for standard disinfection procedures. Thanks to its long service life, reliable operation is ensured over an extended period – a significant advantage, especially for medical devices. The rotational speed is optimized for the specific task. The range of reduction ratios from approximately 3:1 to 1500:1 offers ample scope for optimal adjustment of speed and torque; up to 700 mNm is possible with the metal gearboxes. This provides both sufficient power and high precision in the position resolution generated by the Hall sensors at the output shaft.
Integrated, adjustable safety functions such as current and speed limiting are incorporated into the ViKY system, complementing the compact control unit. Both the control unit and the motor meet all EMC requirements for use in medical environments.
