2024-08-09 09:00:00
Like the antennas of the first cordless phones, the Caturo microrobot unfolds telescopically. By manipulating it from its base, it is also possible to bend it, to reach hard-to-reach areas with great precision. At the end of these concentric tubes nested inside each other, various tools can be placed, depending on the objective assigned to the device.
“We have real expertise in medical applications, particularly in microsurgery, says Kanty Rabenorosoa, university professor at the FEMTO-ST Institute in Besançon (Doubs), in charge of the project. Caturo can carry an optical fiber, perform a biopsy, aspirate and then release a liquid, such as a medication for example…»
World record
This type of robot has been around for almost 20 years, but its size has been dramatically reduced over the years. From an original diameter of 3 mm, the FEMTO-ST team has managed to miniaturize it to 90 micrometers, the size of a hair, and a length of 20 cm, making it the world’s thinnest concentric tube microrobot.
Proof of this is that the team of researchers managed to make it follow a path made of sewing needle eyes measuring 1 mm. In addition, the original nickel and titanium alloy was replaced by a glass-polymer composite structure. “Today, we have a better control over the process, while reducing its cost. It therefore seems possible to manufacture the robot on site, depending on the patient,” continues the teacher-researcher.
Already published in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems, the work of Kanty Rabenorosoa’s team is not currently protected by a patent. However, the researcher explains that he is currently in discussions with the SATT and the Besançon hospital “to create a business around ENT microsurgery”. In fact, the microrobot has already proven its worth for taking samples from the nasal cavities or removing benign tumors in the inner ear (cholesteatoma).
Kanty Rabenorosoa hopes to raise enough funds quickly enough to face tough international competition. He plans to approach companies that are already well advanced in this area or to appeal to sponsorship.
Selected for you
1723237904
#Worlds #thinnest #microrobot #tackles #ultrahighprecision #surgery
