Arterial plaque removal with an electrostatic microactuator

The therapy of atherosclerosis, a type of cardiovascular disease, has, in recent years, involved minimally invasive treatment (with one of several types of interventional catheter) of the arterial plaque found in diseased arteries. The advent of microtechnology based on potentially simple fabrication techniques invites the possibility of new approaches which could reduce damage caused by the presence of the catheter. The aims of this work are to develop electrostatic microactuator devices which are less likely to damage exposed arteries during entry, operation and withdrawal of the catheter, and more complex devices which perform several functions and reduce the overall operating time and requirement for re-intervention.