Magnetically Actuated Micromirror for Endoscopic Applications

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies are ideal for use in sub-millimeter scale actuatable transcatheter optical devices. Such technologies enable precise light path control in very small packages for applications such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and photodynamic therapies. Indeed, there have been numerous published reports of such devices that utilize silicon-based MEMS technologies and actuation methods including piezoelectric, electrostatic, thermal expansive, and electromagnetic [1–4]. We report a novel, dual axis, magnetically actuated micromirror for endoscopic applications that is fabricated from a photopatternable polymer using photolithographic techniques. Our approach provides improvements over other actuation methods and silicon-based devices.