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Robot Invented To Crawl Through Veins

Posted by timothy on from the oh-no-not-creepy dept.

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."

11 of 99 comments (clear)

  1. Definition Of A Robot by nick_davison · · Score: 4, Funny

    has neither engine nor onboard controls

    Doesn't a robot traditionally have to have some form of self controlled motion? From the description, this is just a human etch-a-sketch.

    For what it's worth, I've also created the robotic sport of the future. It consists of a round, air filled bladder. This robot has no motor control of its own but it can be moved by applying forces with your foot. I intend to patent this and make a fortune. No one will play regular soccer once they can play robo-soccer.

  2. We are the Borg... by plasmidmap · · Score: 3, Funny

    Resistance is futile.

  3. Arteries and Veins by PleaseFearMe · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The summary confused me, so I looked it up, and it is true. Veins bring blood towards the heart. Arteries bring blood away from the heart. I always thought blood flows pretty fast, so the robot would need quite a bit of magnetic force to go against the blood friction. If it finds a clot, can it ram its way through like a battering ram? That would be cool.

  4. How is that helpful? by Tubal-Cain · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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?

  5. somewhat better story links by denttford · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/875277.html http://t3.technion.ac.il/more_details.php?id=76

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    Leben Sie jetzt die Fragen.
  6. Zomg it's... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    the magic school bus!

  7. Re:Robotic aneurysm by Nutria · · Score: 5, Funny

    Fantastic Voyage

    Who could forget Raquel Welch???

    Both of them.

    They were both very beautiful.

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    "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
  8. oh what fun by Jafafa+Hots · · Score: 4, Funny

    They do something wrong with the magnetic field for a second, lose track of it, it gets carried to your brain and you stroke.

    Not realistic? Well, when you've had a catheter yanked out of you without having had the balloon deflated first like I once did because the nurse fucked up, you'll learn to expect these things. A golf-ball sized object pulled through your urethra tends to leave a memory.

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    This space available.
    1. Re:oh what fun by Jafafa+Hots · · Score: 4, Funny

      lemme tell ya, I wasn't the same for a few weeks. She grabbed my dick in one hand, tried to pull the tube and when it wouldn't come, she wrapped the tube around her wrist and pulled harder.

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      This space available.
  9. Malfunctions? by srothroc · · Score: 3, Insightful

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

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    http://www.tenjou.net/
  10. Re:I predict that ... by interkin3tic · · Score: 3, Funny

    They can't patent it because there's prior artery.

    I think I pulled a muscle on that reach...