Tiny surgical robots have been developed to find and treat cancer
Researchers have developed a tiny robot that can travel deep into the lungs to detect early signs of cancer and provide early treatment.Engineers at the University of Leeds have developed an ultra-soft 2mm diameter tentacle that can reach deep into the lungs. Controlled by magnets, the robot is able to reach the thinnest bronchi. Analysis on deceased human bodies has shown that this device penetrates the lungs 37% deeper than standard surgical equipment and results in less tissue damage.
The devices are made of silicone to minimize tissue damage and are controlled by magnets mounted on robotic arms outside the patient's body. In addition to improving navigation in the lungs during biopsies, the robot can be used for minimally invasive treatments, allowing clinicians to target only malignant cells.
Researchers are currently testing the ability to simultaneously control two flexible robots to improve surgical precision: one device would then move the camera while the other controls the laser to remove tumors.
Two magnets placed close together attracted each other, making it difficult to control the robots autonomously. The researchers overcame this limitation by designing the tentacle bodies so that they could only bend in certain directions, and by moving the north and south poles in each magnetic robot tentacle.
Using a replica of a skull, the scientists demonstrated the feasibility of performing surgery to remove a benign pituitary tumor at the base of the skull using two such robots. The researchers are currently gathering documents to begin clinical trials of the device for cancer treatment and other surgical procedures.