微型机器人进入人体治疗疾病

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.

Ritsumeikan大学和Shiga医科大学的研究人员，最近开发出了一款微型机器人原型，通过手术切开病灶（天啊！居然不是栓剂）将其放入体内，遥控操纵。和现在那些可吞服的照片拍摄和信息采集机器人不同，这款微型机器人通过病人体外附近的外磁场控制，在某些情况下，可以不进行外科手术就完成治疗。到现在为止，研究人员已经试验了5种不同的形态，测试比如拍摄照片，采集组织样本，服用药剂等功能。机器人就位后通过病人事先做好的核磁共振成像操纵，并通过细小的电缆将数据和照片传回电脑。该机器人由塑料制成，长0.8"，直径0.4"，在你体内爬行时应该不会感觉到这个小东西。据推测已通过了动物测试，下次就要进行人体测试啦。