Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have successfully created a convoy of miniature robots capable of performing endoscopic microsurgery.The team, led by Tian Qiu, has combined several small robots into a unit called TrainBot, equipped with improved "feet" for enhanced mobility and strength.
The TrainBot system addresses two critical challenges in miniature medical robotics: the inability of single small robots to carry heavy surgical instruments and the difficulty in navigating mucus-covered surfaces within the body. By connecting multiple millimeter-scale robots and improving their traction, the DKFZ team has created a solution that can transport endoscopic instruments to hard-to-reach areas.
This innovative robotic convoy operates wirelessly, controlled by a rotating magnetic field that simultaneously directs the individual units. The external actuation and control system is designed to work effectively at human body scale distances, allowing for precise navigation through complex anatomical structures.
In a groundbreaking demonstration, the researchers used a convoy of three TrainBot units to simulate a surgical procedure for bile duct cancer. The robot team successfully maneuvered a 25-cm long wire electrode – weighing three and a half times as much as a single TrainBot unit – through a pig's organs to perform electrocauterisation, a technique used to remove tissue blockages.
Moonkwang Jeong, the first author of the study, highlighted the versatility of the TrainBot system: "After the promising results with the TrainBots in the organ model, we are optimistic that we will be able to develop teams of miniature robots for further tasks in endoscopic surgery."
The researchers suggest that additional TrainBot convoys could be used to deliver catheters for fluid drainage or drug delivery, opening up new possibilities in minimally invasive treatments.
As the DKFZ team continues to refine and expand the capabilities of their TrainBot system, the future of endoscopic microsurgery looks increasingly robotic. This innovative approach could lead to less invasive procedures, faster recovery times, and improved outcomes for patients undergoing complex internal surgeries.