Deflection Modeling and Curvature Manipulation of a Variable-Stiffness Flexible Needle

To address the need for improving the flexibility of flexible needles, a technique that achieves needle steering by altering the needle’s stiffness is proposed. Needle tip forces were simplified, and a deflection model was then developed based on the Timoshenko beam theory. By combining theory and s...

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Main Authors: Guozhao Wei, Zhixing Liu, Hanwen Yu, Zhenzhong Zhang, Kun Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3746
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author Guozhao Wei
Zhixing Liu
Hanwen Yu
Zhenzhong Zhang
Kun Li
author_facet Guozhao Wei
Zhixing Liu
Hanwen Yu
Zhenzhong Zhang
Kun Li
author_sort Guozhao Wei
collection DOAJ
description To address the need for improving the flexibility of flexible needles, a technique that achieves needle steering by altering the needle’s stiffness is proposed. Needle tip forces were simplified, and a deflection model was then developed based on the Timoshenko beam theory. By combining theory and simulation, the influences of the stylet diameter, extension length, and tip direction on needle bending were analyzed. The deflection of the flexible needle is proportional to the cube of the stylet extension length. The needle with a 0.4 mm stylet diameter and an 8 mm extension length produces 8.841 mm more deflection than conventional flexible needles. The extension length can effectively regulate the bending curvature of the flexible needle, thus improving the flexibility of the puncture to some extent.
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spelling doaj-art-66726c20254b4c67805eae0f8a7af25d2025-08-20T02:09:14ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-03-01157374610.3390/app15073746Deflection Modeling and Curvature Manipulation of a Variable-Stiffness Flexible NeedleGuozhao Wei0Zhixing Liu1Hanwen Yu2Zhenzhong Zhang3Kun Li4School of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, ChinaTo address the need for improving the flexibility of flexible needles, a technique that achieves needle steering by altering the needle’s stiffness is proposed. Needle tip forces were simplified, and a deflection model was then developed based on the Timoshenko beam theory. By combining theory and simulation, the influences of the stylet diameter, extension length, and tip direction on needle bending were analyzed. The deflection of the flexible needle is proportional to the cube of the stylet extension length. The needle with a 0.4 mm stylet diameter and an 8 mm extension length produces 8.841 mm more deflection than conventional flexible needles. The extension length can effectively regulate the bending curvature of the flexible needle, thus improving the flexibility of the puncture to some extent.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3746minimally invasive surgeriesflexible needlevariable stiffnessneedle steeringdefection model
spellingShingle Guozhao Wei
Zhixing Liu
Hanwen Yu
Zhenzhong Zhang
Kun Li
Deflection Modeling and Curvature Manipulation of a Variable-Stiffness Flexible Needle
Applied Sciences
minimally invasive surgeries
flexible needle
variable stiffness
needle steering
defection model
title Deflection Modeling and Curvature Manipulation of a Variable-Stiffness Flexible Needle
title_full Deflection Modeling and Curvature Manipulation of a Variable-Stiffness Flexible Needle
title_fullStr Deflection Modeling and Curvature Manipulation of a Variable-Stiffness Flexible Needle
title_full_unstemmed Deflection Modeling and Curvature Manipulation of a Variable-Stiffness Flexible Needle
title_short Deflection Modeling and Curvature Manipulation of a Variable-Stiffness Flexible Needle
title_sort deflection modeling and curvature manipulation of a variable stiffness flexible needle
topic minimally invasive surgeries
flexible needle
variable stiffness
needle steering
defection model
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3746
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