Scientists have created a robot inspired by the Japanese art of origami paper folding that can travel the human body and deliver medicine to cure diseases.
The strain device is controlled by magnets and can crawl, rotate and swim in tight spaces. It can also change direction at any time.
Small and millimeter-sized robots can directly deliver cargo to a tumor, blood clot or infection and deliver drugs or check its internal functioning.
Researchers hope the robots will change the medicine, replace the pills or injections that can cause unwanted side effects, some of which could pose a threat to life.
The robots mimic what happened in the 1966 classic science fiction film Fantastic Voyage, in which a submarine and its crew were injected into a dying patient, entered a vein in his brain and cleared a blockage in by laser guns.
The diameter of the new robot is approximately 7.8 mm and is equipped with a magnetic plate. It can travel quickly over the rough surfaces of organs and float in body fluids, and propels itself wirelessly while carrying liquid medications.
A mechanical engineer at Stanford University, Dr. “The rotating wireless origami (folding) millimeter amphibious robot” is “the most powerful multifunctional robot we have built,” Renee Zhao told the South West News Service.
Unlike pills that are swallowed or injected with liquid, the robot blocks the drug until it reaches the target, and then releases a very concentrated drug.
Dr. said. “This is how our robot achieves targeted drug delivery,” Zhao said.
The design is more versatile than most origami robots.
In addition to using collapsibility, the robot’s movements can also be compared to pressing a small accordion on medicine. The dimensions also allow it to remain rigid and exposed on the way to the target.
There are also engineering features that make the robot unique, including a long hole in the middle and slits in the upper edges to reduce water resistance and increase efficiency.
Dr. said. Zhao explained that if a structure has more functions, the method is less invasive.
“We took full advantage of the engineering capabilities of this small robot and explored a single structure for different applications and different functions,” he said.
By varying the strength and direction of the magnetic field, the robot can move up to ten times its length in one jump.
The robot is currently being tested prior to animal testing. If successful, human clinical trials will follow.
It is hoped that their robots will eventually carry instruments or cameras around the body and dispense medications and replace the traditional method of diagnosing patients.
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Arabic RT
