Threedimensional microstructures in various materials for medical applications

The LIGA technique is well suited for realising micro actuators, micro manipulators and micro tools as they are needed for certain fields of microsurgery. With the implementation of microstructures it is possible to fabricate intelligent microsystems which will revolutionize minimal invasive therapy (MIT). These microsystems in application as intelligent microendoscopes will enable the surgeon to intrude into the human body using natural openings or small incisions and to direct the system into remote or extremely delicate areas to perform complex surgery and diagnosis. Due to built-in intelligent sensoric facilities, information processing and sophisticated micromanipulators such an surgical instrument will be unsurpassed in performance, functional density and reliability