The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology will introduce a miniature crawling robot (ViRob) at the upcoming Israel Life Sciences Industry (ILSI) -Biomed Conference. The robot has the potential to treat lung cancer by performing precise medical procedures inside the human body.
The ViRob can navigate and crawl in different spaces within the human body, including blood vessels, the digestive tract, and the respiratory system. In addition, the robot’s unique structure gives it the ability to move in tight spaces and curved passages as well as the ability to remain for a time within the body, making the breakthrough technology ideal for performing minimally invasive medical procedures.
Technion's Kahn Medical Robotics Laboratory head Prof. Moshe Shoham said, “This robot is a major breakthrough in the biomedical industry, as it allows doctors to access inaccessible areas in the body with minimal invasion. The technology enables a centralized treatment without scattering materials to unnecessary areas in the body."
Researchers are examining the possibility of using ViRob as a treatment for lung cancer - the world’s deadliest cancer. ViRob could assist in targeted drug delivery to lung tumors as well as take samples from different areas within the body. In addition, a number of these micro robots could simultaneously treat a variety of metastases. Researchers also plan to install additional equipment on the robot, including cameras, miniature tongs and other miniature equipment.
ViRob, which measures 1 millimeter in diameter and 14 mm in its entirety, was developed in the lab of Prof. Shoham in the Kahn Medical Robotics Laboratory at the Techion. The robot moves using an external electromagnetic ignition system, stimulated by an electromagnetic field with frequency and volume that do not agitate the body, enabling it to maneuver in different spaces and surfaces within diverse viscous fluids. The vibration created by the magnetic field propels the robot forward, as the tiny arms protruding from a central body grip the vessel wall. A basic prototype of the ViRob, which can move as fast as 9 mm per second, has been developed thus far.
The ILSI-Biomed Conference will take place June 15th-17th at the David Intercontinental and Dan Panorama Hotels in Tel-Aviv.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 27, 2009
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