Scientists at the BioRobotics Institute in Pontedera, Italy have developed a prototype arm that in the future could perform intricate and minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures reports the journal Bioinspiration and Biomimetics .
The robotic arm can be controlled remotely and offers a number of gains when compared with more orthodox medical instruments — graspers, retractors, vision systems and dissectors — when operating on delicate and precarious areas of the human body and navigating its internal structures.
The prototype has impressive motion capabilities and consists of a 32 millimetre diameter tube built from silicon, which contains internal cylindrical chambers that can inflate and deflate. When inflated the tube can bend up to an angle of 255 degrees, elongate up to 62 per cent of it’s original length, and stiffen by more than 66%, meaning it can extend, bend and assume both soft and rigid states.
Researchers tested the dexterity and deftness of the device by performing actions on water filled balloons that were designed to simulate sensitive body organs, around which it is hoped the arm will eventually be able to operate safely.
The robot is biologically inspired by the malleable and shape shifting tentacles of an octopus, a creature that can adapt and change its form to its physical environment by twisting, changing length, width and bending tentacles in any direction and at any point. There are many live robotics projects inspired by animal morphology such as octopus limbs, elephant trunks and snakes, also being pursued at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Tommaso Ranzani, from the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, and lead author said “the human body represents a highly challenging and non-structured environment, where the capabilities of the octopus can provide several advantages with respect to traditional surgical tools. We believe our device is the first step to creating an instrument that is able reach remote areas of the body and safely support organs around the target site.”
