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IT Home reported on August 5 that researchers at the University of Leeds in the UK have developed a new type of robot whose appearance and movement imitate climbing vines. This robot has magnetic skin and is expected to change the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and tumors.

Controlled by external magnets, the robot is extremely flexible and can even make S-shaped bends. This allows it to reach the deepest and most difficult-to-reach parts of organs such as the lungs to treat tumors. The soft, slender robot can stretch while moving and can pass through narrow spaces that are nearly 40% smaller than its resting diameter. Studies have shown thatThis helps the robot navigate narrow and complex passages inside the human body, such as the bronchi.

According to IT Home, this small machine, called the "vine robot," uses air pressure to expand internally and magnetism to control direction externally. It is only 8 mm in diameter and is made of a polyethylene substrate wrapped in a silicone layer that contains millions of tiny magnetic particles. These particles are so small that about 20 of them are the width of a human hair. Through the control of an external magnetic field, the robot can flexibly bypass large obstacles and successfully navigate multiple branches in a simulated bronchial model. The researchers said,Once at the target location, the robot can be used to collect tissue samples or deliver treatments, which may ultimately lead to better treatment outcomes.

The breakthrough research, published in the journal IEEE Robotics & Automation Letters, has the potential to improve the safety and effectiveness of medical procedures from diagnosis to biopsies and treatments, shorten recovery times and minimize surgical risks, researchers said.