Abstract
This paper deals with the control of an active bending actuator fur a catheter. The bending actuator with 40mm in length utilizes three zigzag SMA (shape memory alloy) springs which are equally located in the circumference between inner $({\phi}2.5 mm)$ and outer $({\phi}3.0mm)$ tube. It is purposed on realization of desired bending angle $(90^{\circ})$ and direction $(360^{\circ})$. It is also installed in front of the catheter and used to guide a path at extremely bent or branched blood vessel. The performance-analysis of the bending actuator are investigated fur the purpose of optimizing the control of the bending actuator. The analog joy stick is used to command a bending angle and direction for the fast and accurate response. According to the commands of the joy stick, tensile force of each SMA spring is computed and obtained by controlling the temperature of each SMA spring using PWM (pulse width modulation) of supplied electric power.
