New Robot Glides Through Intestines

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New Robot Glides Through Intestines

Posted by ryuzaki0 on Saturday September 23, 2006 @03:48PM from the i-am-proud-to-live-in-a-time-where-this-is-possible dept.

TechFreep writes to mention a NewScientist article about a new mucus-riding robot, intended for use in medical examinations of the intestinal tract. The snail-like bot, it is hoped, will be easier on the internal organs of patients than similar robots which use small leg-like structures. From the article: "Dodou is testing a polymer material that clings to proteins found in the mucus that lines the gut. She measured the polymer's sticky properties in the lab using sections of pig gut, and also examined the way the polymer's stickiness can be 'switched off' by spraying it with water. This could allow a robot to move in a manner similar to a snail, which alternately makes itself sticky and slippery by exerting pressure with its body."

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Too easy by sokoban · 2006-09-23 15:51 · Score: 4, Funny

Someone doing intestinal research named Dodou. Come on at least make it a little bit more difficult for the peanut gallery than that

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1. Re:Too easy by Memnos · 2006-09-23 18:27 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  I periodically experiment with my own mucus-riding robot. It's a tiny thing, composed of an exostruture and programming code within. I've named it "rhinitus".
  
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  I don't trust atoms -- they make up stuff.
2. Re:Too easy by Fear+the+Clam · 2006-09-24 01:39 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  If the robot's going to through the intestines undigested, "peanut" would be a good name too.
For the first time... by Psionicist · 2006-09-23 16:05 · Score: 5, Funny

... an embedded device that deserves to run Microsoft Windows!
Next stop: Parasites Lost by fahrbot-bot · 2006-09-23 16:05 · Score: 4, Funny
Pretty soon, we'll just make miniature robotic versions of doctors and control the micro-droids using virtual reality gear! I can see the senario now...
To eliminate the worm infestation, the crew makes their way into Fry's bowel, and fights their way to the pelvic splanchnic ganglion, intending to cause a massive bowel movement:
- Farnsworth: If we can stimulate that nerve, the bowel will convulse, expelling the entire worm society.
- Hermes: But what about the worms in the other parts of his body?
- Farnsworth: Listen, this is gonna be one hell of a bowel movement. Afterwards he'll be lucky if he has any bones left.
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It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
Re:Um.. by Quadraginta · 2006-09-23 16:54 · Score: 4, Informative

Just you wait, sonny. When you turn 55 or so, your other choice is to have the doc stick a fat periscope up there to take a look, screen you for bowel cancer. Bring on the robots, I say.
Update your AV by DittoBox · 2006-09-23 16:57 · Score: 3, Funny

A new virus has been discoverd: W32.e-tapeworm.

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Re:Someone write in and.... by Kizor · 2006-09-23 16:58 · Score: 4, Funny

That only serves to prove that you've never been subjected to a colonoscopy gone wrong.

Which, from the patient's point of view, always happens.
Say it with me everyone: by Anonymous Coward · 2006-09-23 17:18 · Score: 3, Funny

Wiiiii!

Sounds like an interesting concept for a game. Think of what kind of franchises this could... erm, spawn.

PooRaider
Ridged Racer
Intestine Coaster Tycoon
Metal Gear Solids
"Quake"
Improvement by Tablizer · 2006-09-23 18:50 · Score: 4, Funny

Anybody who has ever had a doctor shove one of those 20-foot metal hose snakes up their ass to look around will welcome such robots. I for one welcome our ass-dwelling robotic overlords. Better than the snakes they replace.

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