A camera-equipped robot the size of a pill moves through your intestines, self-anchoring by gripping the intestinal wall. This device is considered an effective tool for monitoring gastrointestinal issues in patients.
The goal of the researchers who developed this robot is to create a camera encased in a pill capable of moving and stopping on command, providing doctors with clearer images of the areas it observes, enabling them to focus on specific areas of concern.
Current capsule-endoscopes can capture images inside the intestines but cannot be controlled externally, which means they simply drift through the intestines along with other contents. “It provides a wide view but does not focus on a specific spot, and if you detect something, it cannot return to allow for a closer examination,” said Arianna Menciassi, the inventor of this robot based in Pisa, Italy.
This wirelessly controlled device has six legs, each equipped with a hook underneath. This design enables it to crawl along the mucus membranes in the intestines while being small enough to avoid damaging soft tissues. It can stop at any position by deploying a clamp with two 5mm long arms, each equipped with a gripping hook. This clamp secures itself to the intestinal wall, preventing the device from being pushed away by the flowing blood in the body. Notably, it causes only slight discomfort and does not inflict pain on the patient.
T.VY (According to Newscientist)
