A magnetic catheter developed by scientists at the University of Leeds could move through the respiratory system to detect cancer cells.
This new type of robot aims to improve bronchoscopies by autonomously navigating even the smallest branches of the bronchial tree, usually difficult for physicians to access.
Miniaturization, flexibility and autonomy
This innovation, published in the journal Soft Robotics end of March, is made to be used during bronchoscopies. Currently, this examination is done under local anesthesia and consists of passing a kind of tube – the bronchoscope – through the nose or through the mouth in order to observe the respiratory system, detect lesions and take samples, for example to diagnose cancer.
The robot consists of catheters 2 millimeters in diameter and 8 millimeters in length, made of a flexible elastomer material containing magnetic particles. These are important because they allow the robot to move. Indeed, outside, two robotic arms equipped with magnets will have the role of guiding this robot in the lungs. The itinerary will be determined from preoperative analyzes of the patient. Modeling of the respiratory system being programmed in this device, the robot will be able to adapt to the patient’s anatomy autonomously and the doctor will not have to perform this delicate operation.
This system would therefore make handling easier, more precise and independent than for conventional bronchoscopy.
A robot that could be used for other exams
So far, this robot has only been tested on a replica of the bronchial tree. The results of this study are already encouraging: tracking is 50% more precise and contact time with obstacles is reduced by half.
Although the tests focus on bronchoscopy, the scientists behind this robot believe that it could be used for other examinations of the same type. Indeed, at present, endoscopies can be invasive for the patient, even requiring an incision depending on the part of the body to be observed. They hope that this robot can solve the problem.