TrainBots: A New Type of Mini Robot That Could Help Improve Medical Procedures

A team of innovative researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) has introduced a new type of mini robot called TrainBots that could help improve medical procedures and more.

A team of innovative researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) has introduced a new type of mini robot called TrainBots that could help improve medical procedures and more. These new units can accomplish tasks such as linking up with other bots and navigating complex bodily passages like those found in your intestine. Here's what you need to know about TrainBots and how they could help improve the lives of millions one day.

Mini Robots in Healthcare

Mini robots continue to find a home in the healthcare sector. These devices have now been used to diagnose, deliver treatment, and more. Mini robots are characterized by their tiny nature with most measuring between a nanometer and a centimeter. Notably, these devices bring a lot to the table for healthcare workers. For one, they can help to access hard-to-reach areas and play a vital role in many new non-invasive surgical procedures. As such, there’s a strong demand for these services across the market. However, these tiny robots are limited in many ways.

Problems with Mini Robots Today

One of the main issues surrounding mini robots in healthcare is the same reason they are excellent in many scenarios: their tiny size. The sheer minuscule nature of these robotics means that they can't move or carry anything that requires a lot of force. For example, it would be impossible for a single mini robot to deploy a long and thin catheter or reset soft tissues and open up a structure. Both of these tasks require a lot more power to get the instruments in place as they can range in size from  2–13 mm in diameter and stretch over half a meter long.

Additionally, it's very slippery inside the human body. Organs are covered in soft biological tissue. When coupled with the complex navigation required, it's easy to see why a stronger more capable noninvasive alternative is preferred versus the current method of using small cameras and a manual professional to guide the treatments into place.

TrainBots Could Change this Scenario

The concept of a TrainBot, a mini robot with the capability to link with other devices could be the answer according to a recent study. These purpose-built micro-robotics were designed to navigate the distances of the human body precisely and with minimal effort. As part of this strategy, DKFZ researchers significantly improved the current nanorobotics standards.

Source – DKFX TrainBots Study

TrainBots Get New Feet

One of the biggest upgrades to the mini robot platform is improved gripping. The researchers realized that one of the main issues is a lack of gripping force which can lead to small robotics slipping, resulting in excess energy requirements for minimal movement. To improve this issue, the team added spiked appendages.

These protruding nodes help distribute contact across the surface of body appendages. Additionally, the design and angle of each foot were optimized to improve driving and actuating forces, enabling TrainBots to move more efficiently and with less effort.

Wireless Control for TrainBots

Another vital aspect of the research is the control system. The tiny robots leverage a permanent magnetic set-up which enables them to be wirelessly controlled by healthcare professionals. Specifically, a rotating magnetic field enables TrainBots to link up and move in unison, improving driving force significantly, and allowing surgeons to control vital aspects such as speed and rotation.

Connected

The coolest aspect of these tiny machines is their ability to link and connect to form a larger robot with more power. These devices can work together to provide valuable services when needed. For example, several individual robots can be linked to create enough power to transport an endoscopic instrument. The convoy provides the necessary actuating force to enable healthcare professionals to leverage it for precise surgical procedures.

Testing TrainBots

Testing for the TrainBot concept included a simulated surgical procedure. The process used pig organs, which operate in an environment similar to the human body. The pig organ showed signs of bile duct blockage which is a common disease in humans.

Using TrainBots to Reduce Risks of Bile Duct Cancer

Bile duct obstructions occur over time in affected individuals which can lead to bile buildup and serious diseases including cancer. The current method of treating this common ailment is for healthcare professionals to insert a camera in your mouth and navigate it manually through the small intestine to determine the blockage site.

Using TrainBots, researchers were able to remove the blockage with minimal effort. The process began by connecting three TrainBots to generate enough pulling power to drag a 25 cm long wire electrode through the pig's small intestine. Notably, the tube was 3.5x the weight of the Trainbots.

TrainBots Results

The trainBots successfully delivered their cargo in place. Once the tip of the wire was properly located next to the bile buildup, the researchers applied a small electrical charge to break down the blockage and free the intestinal pathway. This process is called electrocauterization and it's just one of many procedures that TrainBots are designed to improve.

Benefits Trainbots Bring to the Market

The concept of tiny robots that can help healthcare workers complete complex procedures with more precision has many