Small robots were developed to perform endoscopic microsurgery

Medical researchers have succeeded in developing a new robotic surgical tool. This innovative tool, consisting of a convoy of very small robots, has made it possible to perform minimally invasive endoscopic microsurgery for the first time.

According to the medical and health news service of Tekna Technology Media, this remarkable achievement has been achieved by using millimeter robots known as TrainBots. These small robots, designed by the researchers of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), can be used in various fields, including drug delivery and surgery.

Moonkwang Jung, the main author of this research, has expressed confidence that in the near future, it will be possible to develop teams of small robots to perform a wider range of endoscopic surgeries, referring to the promising results of experiments conducted on organ models. One of the main challenges in the field of microsurgery is the limitations of traditional miniature robots. Due to their small size, these robots have not been able to carry the tools needed to perform delicate surgeries. But by combining the abilities of several small robots, researchers have managed to overcome this limitation.

In this research, a convoy consisting of three TrainBot robots has been used to simulate surgery on the bile duct. The bile duct is a tube that carries bile (a liquid produced in the liver that helps digest fats) to the small intestine. In many cases, malignant tumors of the bile duct lead to blockage of this duct and as a result, bile accumulates. To solve this problem, doctors usually remove the blockage using endoscopic methods. But guiding the endoscopic tools in the narrow channels of the body requires very high precision, and in case of lack of precision, healthy tissues may be damaged.

The said robotic convoy with high maneuverability in tight spaces provides the ability to guide endoscopic instruments precisely and safely. In this research, using this robotic caravan, the researchers managed to direct a wire electrode into the bile duct and destroy the cancerous tissues by applying electric current.

TrainBot robots have unique features in order to move in the complex environments of the human body. These robots are equipped with non-slip feet that allow them to move in slippery environments such as body tissues. TrainBot robots are controlled wirelessly using a magnetic field. These robots are able to move in a flat plane and rotate at the same time, which allows them to maneuver precisely in tight spaces. The development of a new robotic surgical tool based on a convoy of small robots is considered an important step towards the advancement of medical technologies. With the ability to perform minimally invasive surgery and high precision, this tool can help improve the quality of life of patients and reduce the complications caused by surgery.
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