Artificial Urethral Valve Using SMA Actuators (Improvement of Urethral Valve and Introduction of Transcutaneous Energy Transmission System)

摘要

This paper is concerned with the development of an artificial urethral valve for treating urinary incontinence, which is driven by shape memory alloy actuators. Three types of valves are assembled and their opening and closing functions are examined experimentally by using the urethrae of male dogs. The latest model is driven by the non-contact induction heating system using power transmis- sion coils. It is found that all of them show good opening and closing functions. The energy to drive the valve is transmitted by using an implanted coil of which outside diameter is 60 mm.