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Mini rolling robot takes virtual biopsies

Date
Zoomed in view of mini robot with plastic nodule cut across showing microchip and protruding wires

Oloid-shaped magnetic endoscope. Credit: STORM Lab, University of Leeds

Research led by the University of Leeds could help to revolutionise early cancer detection: streamlining processes, cutting waiting times and improving patient care.

The team has developed a tiny magnetic robot that rolls, precisely navigating and taking 3D scans deep within the body. It is believed to be the first time that high-resolution 3D ultrasound images taken from a probe deep inside the gastrointestinal tract, or gut, have been generated.

For the first time, this research enables us to reconstruct a 3D ultrasound image taken from a probe deep inside the gut – something that has never been done before.

— Professor Pietro Valdastri

Read the research news

Impact

  • Advancing HealthTech contributes to the transformation of the diagnosis and treatment of several forms of cancer by enabling ‘virtual biopsies’.

Key information

  • Major funders: UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the European Commission (EC), the European Research Council (ERC) and the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre
  • Partners and collaborators: University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh
  • Disciplines: HealthTech, electronic and electrical engineering
  • Investigators: Professor Pietro Valdastri, Dr Nikita Greenidge.

The invention paves the way to transforming the diagnosis and treatment of several forms of cancer by enabling ‘virtual biopsies’ – non-invasive scans that provide immediate diagnostic data. These scans allow doctors to detect, stage and potentially treat lesions in a single procedure, eliminating the need for physical biopsies.

The process of diagnosing colorectal cancer currently requires a tissue sample to be removed, then sent to a lab, with results taking from one to three weeks. This new technology could remove the wait between diagnosis and intervention.

The research was funded by UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the European Commission (EC), the European Research Council (ERC) and the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre. It is hoped that it could help reduce health inequalities and create a sustainable future for health and social care.

Keywords: robotics, biopsy, HealthTech, digestion, cancer treatment, cancer diagnosis, diagnostics, NHS, STORM Lab