• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie policy (EU)
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Video
  • Write for us
Today Headline
  • HOME
  • NEWS
    • POLITICS
    • News for today
    • Borisov news
  • FINANCE
    • Business
    • Insurance
  • Video
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • ENTERPRISE
  • LIFESTYLE
    • TRAVEL
    • HEALTH
    • ENTERTAINMENT
  • AUTOMOTIVE
  • SPORTS
  • Travel and Tourism
  • HOME
  • NEWS
    • POLITICS
    • News for today
    • Borisov news
  • FINANCE
    • Business
    • Insurance
  • Video
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • ENTERPRISE
  • LIFESTYLE
    • TRAVEL
    • HEALTH
    • ENTERTAINMENT
  • AUTOMOTIVE
  • SPORTS
  • Travel and Tourism
No Result
View All Result
TodayHeadline
No Result
View All Result

Engineers develop a ‘magnetic tentacle robot’ to pass into the narrow tubes of the lung

March 22, 2022
in Technology
0
Engineers develop a ‘magnetic tentacle robot’ to pass into the narrow tubes of the lung
0
SHARES
2
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


Engineers develop a 'magnetic tentacle robot' to pass into the narrow tubes of the lung

A life-size model of part of a bronchial tree built from anatomical data. A section of the magnetic tentacle robot is seen on the right. Image courtesy: University of Leeds. Credit: University of Leeds

Engineers and scientists have developed proof of concept for a robot that can reach some of the smallest bronchial tubes in the lungs to take tissue samples or deliver cancer therapy.

Known as a magnetic tentacle robot, it measures just 2 millimeters in diameter, about twice the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen.

Magnets on the outside of the patient will be used to guide the tentacle robot into place.

The device has been developed by a team of engineers, scientists and clinicians based at the STORM Lab at the University of Leeds, which is pioneering the use of robotic systems to assist in endoscopy and catheter procedures, where a fine tube is inserted into body.

The researchers have published their findings in the journal Soft Robotics.

The proof of concept was based on laboratory tests involving a 3D replica of a bronchial tree modeled from anatomical data. The next phase of the research will investigate the effectiveness of the device in navigating lungs taken from a cadaver.

Limits of existing technology

Currently, doctors use an instrument called a bronchoscope to carry out an examination of the lungs and air passages. The procedure involves passing a flexible tube-like instrument, about 3.5 to 4 millimeters in diameter, through the nose or mouth and into the bronchial passages.

Because of its size, the bronchoscope can only travel as far as the upper levels of the bronchial tree.

To delve deeper into the lungs, a catheter or fine tube measuring about 2 millimeters in diameter is passed through the bronchoscope and then into the smaller tubes of the lungs.

But doctors are limited in how they can move a bronchoscope, making it difficult to navigate the instrument and the catheter to where they are needed.

The magnetic tentacle robot, however, has been developed to be much more maneuverable, and uses a robotic guidance system that is personalized for each procedure.

Professor Pietro Valdastri, Director of the STORM Lab who supervised the research, said, “A magnetic tentacle robot or catheter that measures 2 millimeters and whose shape can be magnetically controlled to conform to the bronchial tree anatomy can reach most areas of the lung, and would be an important clinical tool in the investigation and treatment of possible lung cancer and other lung diseases.

“Our system uses an autonomous magnetic guidance system which does away for the need for patients to be X-rayed while the procedure is carried out.”







The video shows how controlling the motion of external magnets can change the shape the magnetic tentacle robot, allowing it to move between a series of obstacles. The video has been speeded up by a factor of five. Credit: University of Leeds

Innovative technology

To develop the robotic system, the research team had to overcome two major challenges.

Firstly, they had to make a device that was small, flexible and able to navigate the twists and turns of the anatomy of the bronchial tree.

Secondly, they needed an autonomous system to guide the magnetic tentacle robot into place, doing away with the need for a doctor to manually maneuver an instrument into place, which often involves the patient being exposed to X-rays, and can be technically challenging for medical staff.

Small and flexible robot

To reduce the size of the robot while retaining controllability of motion, the researchers manufactured it from a series of interlinked cylindrical segments, each 2 millimeters in diameter and around 80 millimeters in length. The segments were made of a soft elastomeric or rubber-like material which had been impregnated with tiny magnetic particles.

Because of the presence of the magnetic particles, the interlinked segments can move somewhat independently under the effect of an external magnetic field. The result is a magnetic tentacle robot which is highly flexible, able to shape shift and small enough to avoid snagging on anatomical structures in the lungs.

Guidance system

Magnets mounted on robotic arms on the outside of the patient would be used to guide the device into the lungs in a process that would be tailor-made for each procedure.

The route through the bronchial tree is planned from pre-operative scans of a patient’s lungs and programmed into the robotic system. As the magnets outside of the patient move, they develop forces on the magnetic particles in the segments of the catheter, causing them to change shape or direction—enabling the robot to be maneuvered through the lungs and to a site of a suspicious lesion.

Once at the target location, the robot is used to take a tissue sample or deliver treatment.

It may be several years before “magnetic tentacle” technology is available in a hospital setting.

The STORM lab at the University of Leeds is revolutionizing the technology used in endoscopic and catheter investigations.

They have created a protype of a low-cost endoscope—used to investigate the upper gastrointestinal tract—which could be used in low to middle income countries where lack of access to expensive equipment is hampering screening programs.

Magnetic technology is also at the heart of a robotic colonoscopy system that is easier for staff to operate and kinder for patients.


Nontoxic, variable-stiffness threads for dexterous cardiac catheters


More information:
Patient specific magnetic catheters for atraumatic autonomous endoscopy, Soft Robotics2022.

Provided by
University of Leeds

Citation:
Engineers develop a ‘magnetic tentacle robot’ to pass into the narrow tubes of the lung (2022, March 21)
retrieved 21 March 2022
from https://techxplore.com/news/2022-03-magnetic-tentacle-robot-narrow-tubes.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Tags: DevelopengineerslungMagneticnarrowpassRobottentacletubes
Previous Post

‘Wim Hof ice bath experience made me feel like warrior’

Next Post

Number of Flu Cases Lower Than Pre-pandemic Levels

Related Posts

Using electric signals from human brains, new software can perform computerized image editing
Technology

Using electric signals from human brains, new software can perform computerized image editing

Brain responses being used as...

Read more
Mimicking the function of Ruffini receptors using a bio-inspired artificial skin
Technology

Mimicking the function of Ruffini receptors using a bio-inspired artificial skin

Credit: Nature Machine Intelligence (2022)....

Read more
To beat the summer heat, passive cooling really works
Technology

To beat the summer heat, passive cooling really works

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Opening...

Read more
An AI system trained to find an equitable policy for distributing public funds in an online game
Technology

An AI system trained to find an equitable policy for distributing public funds in an online game

Illustration of the game and...

Read more
Study finds toxicity in the open-source community varies from other internet forums
Technology

Study finds toxicity in the open-source community varies from other internet forums

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Trolls,...

Read more
Load More
Next Post

Number of Flu Cases Lower Than Pre-pandemic Levels

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Model Christy Giles found dead on footpath after night out in LA

Model Christy Giles found dead on footpath after night out in LA

‘RHOBH’ Star Stormed Out of Kyle Richards’ House After ‘Big Fight’

‘RHOBH’ Star Stormed Out of Kyle Richards’ House After ‘Big Fight’

Ex-porn star Lana Rhoades flaunts 2.5st weight loss two weeks after giving birth

Ex-porn star Lana Rhoades flaunts 2.5st weight loss two weeks after giving birth

Horror as goat gives birth to ‘humanoid kid’ with baby-like face

These 10 Dividend Aristocrat stocks have made investors a lot of money — which might soar from here?

These 10 Dividend Aristocrat stocks have made investors a lot of money — which might soar from here?

Kentucky recruits thriving for USA Basketball team in Spain

Kentucky recruits thriving for USA Basketball team in Spain

NRL ScoreCentre: Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm, live scores, stats and results

NRL ScoreCentre: Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm, live scores, stats and results

Using electric signals from human brains, new software can perform computerized image editing

Using electric signals from human brains, new software can perform computerized image editing

About Us

Todayheadline the independent news and topics discovery
A home-grown and independent news and topic aggregation . displays breaking news linking to news websites all around the world.

Follow Us

Latest News

These 10 Dividend Aristocrat stocks have made investors a lot of money — which might soar from here?

These 10 Dividend Aristocrat stocks have made investors a lot of money — which might soar from here?

Kentucky recruits thriving for USA Basketball team in Spain

Kentucky recruits thriving for USA Basketball team in Spain

These 10 Dividend Aristocrat stocks have made investors a lot of money — which might soar from here?

These 10 Dividend Aristocrat stocks have made investors a lot of money — which might soar from here?

Kentucky recruits thriving for USA Basketball team in Spain

Kentucky recruits thriving for USA Basketball team in Spain

NRL ScoreCentre: Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm, live scores, stats and results

NRL ScoreCentre: Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm, live scores, stats and results

  • Real Estate
  • Education
  • Parenting
  • Cooking
  • NFL Games On TV Today
  • Travel and Tourism
  • Home & Garden
  • Pets
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
  • About

© 2021 All rights are reserved Todayheadline

No Result
View All Result
  • Real Estate
  • Education
  • Parenting
  • Cooking
  • NFL Games On TV Today
  • Travel and Tourism
  • Home & Garden
  • Pets
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
  • About

© 2021 All rights are reserved Todayheadline

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Posting....