Biomedical applications of micromachines: Small, soft, and safe micromachines based on pneumatic balloon actuator

This paper describes biomedical applications of micromachines and introduces a couple of examples from our own studies. Pneumatic balloon actuator has been designed as small, soft, safe micromachines. Pneumatic balloon actuator is micro machined by polymer structures and driven by pneumatic pressure. These features are attractive for biomedical applications. This paper demonstrates examples from medical to bio applications by using the pneumatic balloon actuator. The micro actuator has been designed according to requirements for individual applications.