Microscopic Robot Heads for Surgery

The latest step towards achieving nanotechnology, a team of scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland have developed a robot small enough to be injected into a body. The robot is about the width of 4 strands of hair.
This new micro-robot could one day be used to deliver drugs, analysis medical conditions and even perform surgery.
The robot receives the energy it needs to operate as well as to navigate inside the body through the use of externally applied magnetic forces. The frequency that is transmitted to the micro-robot will engage the various motors thus allowing it to be properly maneuvered.






This is an amazing breakthrough! There is even a great simulation that is worth viewing. Perhaps in the very near future, using this technology, a person could enter the hospital in the morning, skip taking a sedative, undergo surgery then leave the hospital in a couple of hours with their recovery time being next to nothing! I sincerely hope that this proves itself and that it can be put to use soon.
My wife recently undedrwent a hysterectomy and it took nearly 6 weeks to recover.


[edit on 10-9-2005 by DJDOHBOY]

Nanotechnology was "achieved" long ago - and nanobots have existed for some time. When I can, I will review the literature to see why this particular nanobot is unique. There is much background info here at ATS about nanotechnology and nanobots.

soficrow,
you are correct in that nanotech has been around for quite awhile now.
The difference with this micro-bot is that it has many parts both mechanical as well as electrical.

Soficrow,
Are you referring to Prions, and Virii?
I've always thought that a bacteriophage looked like a lunar landing craft..
Natural nanobots.




[edit on 29-8-2005 by spacedoubt]