World's Smallest Biomedical Robot Revolutionizes Surgical Techniques

Innovative Biomedical Robot Design
Researchers have created the world’s smallest multifunctional biomedical robot. Measuring just 0.95 millimeters, it’s 60 percent smaller than any existing model. This tiny tube-like robot could navigate the intricate pathways of the human body without the need for bulky instruments. This robotic technology is a major advancement in minimally invasive surgery.
This ultra-small size helps it navigate tight spaces and access hard-to-reach areas within the human body, like the lung’s end bronchi and the oviducts. Moreover, it possesses a range of capabilities, providing doctors with unprecedented views of the body, drug delivery, tissue sampling, and laser ablation. “Small-scale continuum robots hold promise for interventional diagnosis and treatment, yet existing models often struggle with compactness, precise navigation, and visualized functional treatment all in one,” said Prof. Shen Yajing, who led the development.
Key Features and Testing
This biomedical robot offers exceptional imaging and high-precision movement. Moreover, the obstacle detection distance has been enhanced, with a tenfold improvement to roughly 9.4 mm. Furthermore, it exhibits exceptional motion precision, with movements accurate to within 30 micrometers. Plus, it expands the imaging region by 25 times the inherent field of view.
- Optical Fiber Array
- Custom Tool
- Hollow Skeleton
- Functionalized Skin
The robot’s miniature size is achieved through a combination of these four key components. The hollow skeleton was created using a microscale 3D printer. Moreover, the functionalized skin was made through a magnetic spray technique, which minimizes size and enables smooth and controlled movement during surgery. Additionally, it incorporates a gel-like outer coating that minimizes friction.
The research team has tested the robot’s capabilities in two settings. In vitro testing, the robot successfully navigated and performed tasks within simulated bronchial models. While in ex-vivo testing, it demonstrated smooth navigation and successful image capture and treatment within excised porcine lungs.
“Our study provides a significant solution for developing a surgical robot aimed at achieving early diagnosis and therapeutic goals in hard-to-reach areas of the body. With ongoing technological advancements, we believe that the fiberscopic robot will make greater contributions to human health in the foreseeable future,” Yajing said.
Small continuum robots are valuable in medicine due to their ability to navigate narrow spaces, leading to quicker recovery and reduced infection risk. They have been successfully used in various applications, including cardiology and gastroenterology.
This “impossible trinity” – combining imaging, precise motion, and multifunctional capabilities in such a small package – opens up a new era of minimally invasive surgery. “We aim to further optimize the design and control of the fiberscopic robot, prioritizing safety and reliability during interventional surgery. We look forward to implementing in vivo trials to demonstrate its performance in clinical scenarios,” said Dr. Zhang Tieshan, a postdoctoral fellow at HKUST, in the press release. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.