Microknife using ultrasonic vibration

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to develop a minute size knife for cutting of minute objects such as cells. We report on a microknife that cuts the object by using ultrasonic vibration of a sharp needle. We employed a multilayer piezoelectric actuator for generating the ultrasonic vibration for cutting. Also, we made a tactile sensor for the microknife by using PZT thin film made by the hydrothermal method. We evaluated the cutting performance and the tactile sensor by experiments.