Arrr, me hearties! Be holdin' ye gaze on these wee corkscrew robots, ready to save lives by scuttlin' blood clots!
2023-12-29
Arrr! Avast ye, me hearties! The scurvy dogs o' science from the Netherlands be creatin' a contraption, a robot, savvy? This here gizmo be aimin' to split blood clots, aye, sans any surgery or potions, to save ye from the dreadful grip o' strokes, heartaches, and Davy Jones' locker!
Blood clots are a serious health problem that can have deadly consequences. While some clots can be removed through surgery, others are difficult to reach. However, scientists in the Netherlands may have found a solution in the form of tiny robots called millirobots. These millirobots can swim through blood vessels and drill into blood clots. They are about the size of a grain of rice and have a corkscrew-shaped body with a small magnet to help them navigate through the blood.The millirobots are inserted into the blood vessel using a small tube called a cannula. An external magnet is then used to control their movement. Once the millirobots reach the clot, they start drilling into it, breaking it up into smaller pieces that can be carried away by the blood. The external magnet is then used to guide the millirobots back to the cannula, allowing them to be removed from the blood vessel.
Researchers at the University of Twente have successfully guided multiple millirobots through blood vessels and successfully broken up clots. They believe that with a stronger external magnet, the millirobots could be even more effective. The millirobots have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of blood clots, reducing the need for surgery or drugs with potential side effects. They could also be used to deliver drugs directly to specific areas of the body where they are needed most.
This technology is being further developed by a partnership between Radboud University Medical Center and Triticum Medical. They hope to make the millirobots safer and more efficient for human use and explore other applications for them, such as cleaning arteries or removing plaque. The potential of nanotechnology and robotics in medicine is promising and could have a significant impact on improving health outcomes for millions of people.