The magnetic tentacle robot prototype testing revealed that it can penetrate 37 percent deeper than standard equipment. The prototype was tested on cadaver lungs by the researchers.
“This is a really exciting development. This new approach has the advantage of being specific to the anatomy, softer than the anatomy, and fully-shape controllable via magnetics. These three main features have the potential to revolutionize navigation inside the body,” said Professor Pietro Valdastri, Director of the STORM Lab and research supervisor, in an
The researchers have already tested this approach in a skull replica to perform endonasal brain surgery. Allowing two magnetic robots to function closely together in a confined space was previously difficult. This is due to the fact that the two would be attracted to each other.