Tiny robot reduces need for surgery
On February 26, researchers from Ritsumeikan University and the Shiga University of Medical Science completed work on a miniature robot prototype that, once inserted into the body through an incision, can be freely controlled to perform medical treatment and capture images of affected areas. The plastic-encased minibot, which measures 2 cm (0.8 inch) in length and 1 cm (0.4 inch) in diameter, can be maneuvered through the body by controlling an external magnetic field applied near the patient.
While other types of miniature swallowable robots have been developed in the past, their role has mostly been limited to capturing images inside the body. According to Ritsumeikan University professor Masaaki Makikawa, this new prototype robot has the ability to perform treatment inside the body, eliminating the need for surgery in some cases.
The researchers developed five different kinds of prototypes with features such as image capture functions, medicine delivery systems, and tiny forceps for taking tissue samples. MRI images of the patient taken in advance serve as a map for navigating the minibot, which is said to have performed swimmingly in tests on animals. Sensor and image data is relayed back to a computer via an attached 2-mm diameter cable, which looks like it can also serve as a safety line in case the minibot gets lost or stranded.
[Source: Chugoku Shimbun]
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[…] Researchers from Ritsumeikan University and the Shiga University of Medical Science have developed a miniature robot prototype that is controlled remotely once placed inside the body via an incision (whew! not a suppository) at the affected area. Unlike existing swallowable robots that can only snap pictures and gather info, this minibot is maneuvered by controlling external magnetic fields located close to the patient, and can perform medical treatments that may, in some cases, negate the need for surgery. As of now, the researchers have experimented with 5 different variations of the device to test functions like capturing images, taking tissue samples (see creepy forceps above), and administering medicines. The robot is positioned and guided using an MRI of the patient taken pre-surgery, and an attached mini-cable relays stats and images back to a computer during the procedure. The robot is composed of plastic and measures at 0.8-inches in length and 0.4-inches in diameter, which, by all means, doesn’t seem that tiny when you picture it crawling around inside of you. Supposedly, this little guy has tested well with animals, so we humans may be next in line. [Via Pink Tentacle] […]
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[…] Der medizinische Minibot, der in den Universitäten von Ritsumeika und Shiga für Medizin entwickelt wurde, misst gerade einmal 2cm in der Länge und kann vom Patienten geschluckt werden. Nun wird der Miniwurm durch ein magnetisches Feld außerhalb des Patienten gesteuert und kann nicht nur Bildmaterial aus dem Inneren des Körpers liefern, sondern auch Gewebeproben entnehmen und gewissen Medikamente verabreichen. Dadurch werden gewisse Operationen umgangen, was natürlich einen großen Fortschritt darstellt. Die Daten, die die fünf Prototypen speichern, werden durch ein 2mm dünnes Kabel, welches, sowohl zum Datentransfer, als auch als Rückholschnur dient, auf dem Rechner gespeichert und verwaltet. […]
whoah!!!! YEAHHHH!!!!!
I want this in my ass!
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[…] [Source: pinktentacle] March 14th, 2007 ..:: Share This ::..Tags: chugoku shimbun, forceps, Health, image capture, image data, incision, medical science, miniature robot, mm diameter, mri images, prototype robot, ritsumeikan university, safety line, shiga university, tissue samples […]
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[…] Tiny robot reduces need for surgery: “The plastic-encased minibot, which measures 2 cm (0.8 inch) in length and 1 cm (0.4 inch) in diameter, can be maneuvered through the body by controlling an external magnetic field applied near the patient.” […]
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