Hong Kong University Announces World's Smallest Biomedical Robot
28 JANUARY 2025
It measures just 0.95 mm, which is 60% smaller than current endoscopic robots, but packs diagnostic, visual and drug delivery into a very small package. Researchers from the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology are telling the world that their device can also collect tissue samples and deliver laser treatment into places not possible until now.
According to the release, published in 'MedicalXpress,' the endoscopic robot consists of a 3D printed "optical fiber array for capturing images inside the body, a custom tool for delivering treatments precisely where needed, a hollow skeleton to hold the fibers and tools in place, and a functionalized skin that enables precise control of the robot's movements." The device's skin has a special coating to help make travel within the human body possible.
The scientific team, led by Prof. Shen Yajing, Associate Professor at the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, have published the news in the journal 'Nature Communications.' Here is the link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-55199-6