 |
Snake-like Robots For Throat Surgery Doc Ock-Style
Snake-like robots are under development at Johns Hopkins University for use in throat surgery. The tiny robotic "snakes" have tools at the ends and are fabricated from non-magnetic materials.
(Snakelike robots for throat surgery)
During surgical procedures, a physician would sit at a workstation showing a three-dimensional view of the site of the operation. Software would control the movement of the robot, following the direction of the doctor.
This is not an autonomous robot; it is a tool for use by surgeons, not a replacement for surgeons. One of the developers, Russell H. Taylor, a professor of computer science, states:
"We want to work in partnership with surgeons to help them do their work more effectively. Human hands are remarkable, but they have limitations. There are times when it would be useful to have a 'third hand,' and we can provide that. Sometimes a surgeon's fingers are too large to work in a small confined space within the body. We can help by building tools that act like unhumanly small and highly dexterous hands."
The snakelike robots are highly maneuverable - they can form tight S-curves and have six degrees of freedom. They will help surgeons make incisions and even tie sutures with greater precision. They will require another five years of development and experimentation before use with human patients.
I couldn't resist a reference to Doc Ock - Doctor Otto Octavius, the genius who became an archvillain in Spider Man. Doc Ock also used his robotic tentacles for scientific experimentation.
(Doc Ock from Spiderman)
It's interesting that an optimal solution for moving around in tight spaces has already been found by nature; for the large size version of this same problem, see Snake-Arm Robots From OCRobotics Reach Out and Snake-Arm Robot In A Plane. For an historical perspective, see the encyclopedic Snake Robot Roundup!. Story via Johns Hopkins snake robot press release.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 12/24/2006)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 2 )
Related News Stories - (" Medical ")
MIT Ampli Blocks Build Biomedical Devices
Damn it Spock, I'm a doctor not an engineer!
Handheld Human Skin Printer
It outputs a thin wad of uniflesh.
Retinal Prosthesis Uses Organic Printing Inks
We can rebuild you - well, your eyes, maybe.
New Brain Scanner Lets You Move Around
'In Bob Arctor's living room his thousand dollar custom-quality cephscope crafted by Altec...' - Philip K. Dick, 1977.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
China Uses Artificial Intelligence To Grade Student Papers
Looks like the City Fathers are starting to take over China's education system.
Electronic Tongues Will Rule The Kitchen
'Install taste buds in the end of one tentacle...'
Self-Healing Circuits From Carnegie Mellon
'It even had an inter-skin layer of gum that could seal the punctures...'
Swarm Of Mindless Robots Works Together
'Very tiny pseudo insects that... can unite to form a superordinate system.'
SpotMini Robot Dog, Autonomous And On Sale In 2019
Great, an autonomous slamhound. It is cute, though.
RoboFly Is Laser-Powered, Adorable
Don't swat this fly!
MSG Sphere Las Vegas, ala Star Wars
'The smoky globe, hung in the vault, was shot with colored light...'
Tetraplegics Dominate Avatar Races
Well, just speaking brain-to-computer...
MIT Ampli Blocks Build Biomedical Devices
Damn it Spock, I'm a doctor not an engineer!
UberAIR Asks For Skytaxi Landing Prototypes
You know you want to ride in one.
Boring Tunnel Almost Ready
Your underground future is calling!
Handheld Human Skin Printer
It outputs a thin wad of uniflesh.
Healthy Fast Food Courtesy Of Robot Chefs
'The electric cook was stirring empty nothing in a pan, with a zeal worthy a dozen eggs.'
Mass Production Of In Vitro Meat From One Sample
They're Assimilating Our Culture, That's What They're Doing
Amazing 'Hybrid' Solar-Powered Sea Slug Does Photosynthesis
Thank goodness for Star Trek.
Retinal Prosthesis Uses Organic Printing Inks
We can rebuild you - well, your eyes, maybe.
