Robot Invented To Crawl Through Veins

Slatterz writes "Scientists from Israel's Technion University have unveiled a tiny robot, made using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology, purportedly able to crawl through a person's veins in order to diagnose and potentially treat artery blockage and cancer. The little robot — with a diameter of just one millimeter — has neither engine nor onboard controls, instead being propelled forward by a magnetic field wielded on it from outside the patient's body."

Comments

How is that helpful?

[Tubal-Cain]

How does a robot moving though one's vein "diagnose and potentially treat artery blockage"? Wouldn't it need to be traveling though the arteries to do that?

Malfunctions?

[srothroc]

I hope it doesn't malfunction and get stuck or something. All you need in that situation is a nice mechanical clot...