Tiny Surgical Robot Could One Day Treat Lung Cancer

A tiny two-millimeter medical robot created by a team from the University of Leeds has the potential to revolutionize lung cancer diagnostics. The soft robot, controlled by magnets, can swim deep into the lungs to detect and treat early signs of cancer with minimal damage to healthy tissues. It has been shown to penetrate 37 percent deeper than standard equipment during testing on cadaver lungs. The researchers plan to conduct clinical trials soon.

The team is also exploring the use of two magnetic robots working together for precise tumor removal. The innovation could lead to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment for lung cancer, which currently has high mortality rates. The study was published in Nature Engineering Communications.