Tiny robot caterpillar designed to walk
through the body to deliver drugs
T
he Research team at City University
of Hong Kong has developed a tiny
robot with ‘caterpillar legs’ that could also
be used to deliver drugs inside the human
body. They say it can move efficiently
inside surfaces within the body lined
with, or entirely immersed in, body fluids
such as blood or mucus. Researchers
say that the robot is capable of carrying
relatively heavy loads and adapting to
adverse environments and could pave the
way for medical technology advances. But
what makes the ‘milli-robot’ stand out is
its hundreds of less than one millimetre
long pointed legs that look like tiny hair.
The research was published in Nature
Communications. The robot’s body
thickness measures around 0.15 mm, with
each conical leg measuring 0.65 mm long
and the gap between the legs measuring
about 0.6 mm, making the leg-length-
to-gap ratio around 1:1. The pointed legs
have greatly reduced the contact area
thus reducing friction. Laboratory tests
showed that the multi-legged robot has
40 times less friction than a limbless robot
in both wet and dry environment. The
robot is fabricated with a silicon material
called polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
embedded with magnetic particles which
enables it to be remotely controlled by
applying electromagnetic force. Both
the materials and the multi-leg design
greatly improve the robot’s hydrophobic
property. The robot is controlled by a
magnetic manipulator that can move it
in both a flap propulsion pattern and an
inverted pendulum pattern meaning that
it can use its front feet to flap forward as
well as swinging the body by standing
on the left and right feet alternately to
advance respectively. The researchers said
‘the rugged surface and changing texture
of different tissues inside the human body
makes transportation challenging. Our
multi-legged robot shows an impressive
performance in various terrains and
hence open wide applications for drug
delivery inside the body.’ The research
team further proved that when facing
Simba hybrid pillow
S
imba hybrid pillow is a
perfect combination of
technology and material.
It contributes not only to the
best night’s sleep but also
increases the benefits of sleep
for the body and mind. The
uniqueness of this pillow lies in
the choice of the material with
which it is made. The material
or filling used is Outlast based
on Nanotube technology and
is made of memory foam
tubes designed to adapt to each
sleeper. Each pillow comes with
hundreds of nanotubes that can
be added or removed to alter
the height and firmness of the
pillow. These small laser-cut,
cylindrical tubes are made from
super-soft memory foam which
moulds to the shape of your
head giving one utmost comfort.
The pillow can be customised to
32
be made soft, medium firm or
firm by the addition or deletion
of nanotubes.Each nanotube
adapts to your sleeping position,
supporting
the
complex
structures of the head, neck,
and spine.To keep the body
temperature regulated outlast
draws the heat away, trapping it
within its fibres and as one cools
down it releases the warmth
back out. On the reverse side of
the pillow is a combination of
smart microfiber and premium
300 thread count jacquard
cotton. This side is extremely
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which no other pillow has
offered till date. This seems to be
the future of comfort sleeping.
Source: www.inshorts.com
Volume 4 | Issue 1 | January-March 2019
an obstacle ten times higher than its leg
length, the robot, with its deformable
soft legs, is able to lift up one end of its
body to form an angle of up to 90 degrees
and cross the obstacle easily and can
also increase its speed by increasing the
electromagnetic frequency applied. The
robot also shows a remarkable loading
ability. Lab tests showed that it was
capable of carrying a load 100 times
heavier than itself, a strength comparable
to an ant, one of the strongest creatures
in nature or to a human being able to
easilylift a 26-seated mini-bus. Before
conducting further tests on animals and
eventually on humans, the research teams
are further developing and refining their
research in three aspects, namely finding
a biodegradable material, studying new
shapes and adding extra features. The
team hopes to create a biodegradable
robot in the next two to three years, so it
will decompose naturally after its meds
delivery mission.
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk
First ever FDA approved
augmented reality pre-
surgical imaging tool
N
ovarad HoloLens have collaborated to launch an
OpenSight AR system which is the first ever FDA
approved Augmented Reality pre-surgical imaging
tool.The OpenSight runs on AR technology to give 2D, 3D
and 4D patient images which can help doctors plan the surgery
ahead more thoroughly as it gives dual side by side image, both
of the patient as it is and their internals. Doctors can now use
Microsoft HoloLens for specific, pre-operative purposes. The
technology is going to be transformative as it will allow the
doctors to have a full brief of the patients’ internals before they
make the first incision.Novarad has also released the teaching
version of OpenSight AR system to ease the medical students
into the future. Students or other surgery attendees can witness
the AR preparation first-hand, since the HoloLens experience
can be shared among multiple headsets. No doubt FDA
recognized Novarad’s efforts by clearing the OpenSight system
for use. It is a complete medical package, designed to improve
the precision and utility of medical practice.
Source: https://www.healthimaging.com/.../fda-approves-
augmented-reality-system-microsoft-...