SMArt Guide Wire

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Stefan Seelecke; Professor Dr.-Ing. Roland Werthschützky
• Subject Area: Measurement Systems ; Automation, Mechatronics, Control Systems, Intelligent Technical Systems, Robotics
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 392780747

The research project "SMArt Guide Wire" has two major research objectives: The generation of a realizable implementation concept and the development of the essential design fundamentals for an adaptive guide wire with integrated sensors and actuators. With regard to these research results, a guide wire prototype is constructed and characterized in the next step. In comparison to the current DFG funded research project Haptischer Katheter, the focus of this project lies on the verification of an improved flexibility and reliability of this medical haptic assistance system. For this purpose, SMA-wires are used for the realization of three additional functions: External stiffness control of the guide wire tip, external bending control of guide wire tip and the integration of an additional self-monitoring function of the micro-scale force sensor by initiation of a reference force into the guide wire tip.The integration of SMA-wire actuators allows for the situational mechanical adaption of the guide wire tip during coronary interventions. The improved flexibility and reliability of the guide wire system leads to enhanced navigation of the guide wire in complicated vascular systems and less stress and shorter times of treatment for patients because of the avoidance of repeated guide wire changes. In addition, the haptic feedback is going to be more reliable.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigators: Privatdozent Dr. Christian Herweh; Professor Dr. Wolfram Voelker