ROBOTS: Engineers test tiny robotic capsule for taking micro-ultrasound images of the colon
June 21, 2019 • 1 min read
News to unpucker your sphincter. Or at least make you breathe a sigh of relief when your doctor next wrestles you into position to conduct an endoscopic examination of your colon, and says: “Relax, you won’t feel a thing.” That’s because soon you just might be able to believe them.
The semi-rigid scope that snakes an unholy path up your bowel could be left sitting on the shelf in favour of a tiny robotic capsule that tiptoes its way up your back passage to take micro-ultrasound images of your colon.
Known as a Sonopill, the device is the product of an international consortium of engineers and scientists who developed the device to relieve the stress and discomfort of endoscopic examinations. Micro-ultrasound images are also better able to identify certain types of cell change associated with cancer.
The capsule’s progress is guided by a technique called intelligent magnetic manipulation, which involves a robotic arm flecked with magnets passing over the patient. Magnets contained in the capsule respond the arm’s movements, which ‘wave’ the capsule on its way through the colon.
Developers say the magnetic forces are harmless and can pass through human tissue, obviating requirements for a physical connection between the robotic arm and the capsule. An artificial intelligence system (AI) helps to position the capsule against the gut wall to get the best quality micro-ultrasound images.
Robots also do great work in the factory, packing groceries, and making music.