Researchers at the University of Leeds in United Kingdom have developed a new type of robot that mimics climbing vines in shape and movement. This robot has magnetic skin and is expected to transform the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and tumors.
The robot is controlled by an external magnet and is extremely flexible and can even make S-bends. This allows it to reach the deepest and hardest parts of organs, such as the lungs, to treat tumors. The soft, slender robot can stretch while moving and can also move through tight spaces that are nearly 40 percent smaller than its stationary diameter. Studies have shown that this helps robots navigate through narrow and complex passages inside the human body, such as the bronchial tubes.
According to IT House, this small machine, known as a "vine robot", uses air pressure to expand internally, and relies on magnetic force to control direction externally. With a diameter of only 8 millimeters, it is made of a polyethylene substrate encased in a layer of silicone embedded with millions of tiny magnetic particles that are so small that about 20 are about the width of a human hair. With the control of an external magnetic field, the robot was able to flexibly navigate around large obstacles and successfully completed the navigation of multiple branches in a simulated bronchial model. Once at the target location, the robot can be used to collect tissue samples or administer treatments, which may ultimately lead to better treatment outcomes, the researchers said.
The groundbreaking findings, published in IEEE Robotics & Automation Letters, say the new robot has the potential to improve the safety and effectiveness of medical procedures, from diagnosis to biopsy and treatment, shorten recovery times, and minimize surgical risks.