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University of Toronto bioengineers have developed miniaturized surgical robotic tools so tiny that they can only be motorized by strong external magnetic fields. Three types of tools, all no larger than 3 millimeters have been developed: a gripper, a scalpel, and a forceps. The team has also developed a prototype surgical table with the embedded electromagnetic coils that control the microinstruments.

Each of these microtools has attached magnets that permit the tool to be opened, closed, and moved in various directions. The tools are placed at the end of positioning wires and can be passed into the brain through flexible endoscopes.

These tools are now rev2 and streamlined. In addition to neurosurgical applications, they can be used in the gastrointestinal tract and likely elsewhere. Hopefully, this next generation of medical robotics will be available…;.Someday soon,

https://news.engineering.utoronto.ca/these-tiny-robotic-tools-powered-by-magnetic-fields-could-enable-minimally-invasive-brain-surgery/

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.adk4249

#robotics #neurosurgery #magnets #endoscope

Magnetic Robotic Micro-Neurosurgery

Dr. Howard Smith Reports