🤩 A Coin-Sized Robot Examines the Body in Detail from the Inside
Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a robot just slightly larger than a coin, capable of capturing 3D images of deep tissues within the human body.
The robot is primarily designed for the early detection of colon cancer, one of the most dangerous forms of oncology. However, with early diagnosis, treatment is often successful.
If the robot detects a tumor, it will allow for rapid determination of the stage of the disease and, in the future, enable treatment to begin directly during the procedure. This is a significant improvement over conventional biopsies, which require tissue samples, take 1 to 3 weeks for laboratory results, and are often painful.
🤩 Unusual Shape and 3D Printing
The robot carries a high-frequency ultrasound camera. Unlike conventional ultrasounds (such as those performed during pregnancy), this camera detects microscopic details, including boundaries between layers of tissue in the body.
Additionally, the robot has an unusual shape resembling a seashell called an oloid (two intersecting circles). This shape allows the 21-millimeter robot to move smoothly through the intestine. Its body is 3D-printed using resin and is controlled via an external magnet, either manually or automatically.
Clinical trials of the robot on humans are expected to begin in 2026.
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