A prototype of a robotic device, resembling a caterpillar has been launched by American scientists in the hope of performing precision heart operations without the use of anesthetics. //
The scientists from the Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania released a report in the journal New Scientist, describing the robot, which measures about 2 cm when contracted, and ‘crawls’ at about 18cm per minute, across the heart.
The device is said to work by it being first inserted below the ribcage by keyhole surgery and then attached to the heart, via a vacuum line to its suction feet. Once attached it is controlled by three rigid wires, which are pushed and pulled by motors outside the body.
The robot may also carry a needle, which could be used to inject stem cells and growth factor genes as well take tissue samples from the heart's surface. The device could also be used with an added radio-frequency probe to treat faulty heart rhythms by killing damaged tissue.
For surveillance purposes, a camera added to the device would help surgeons see specifically where the robot is on the heart's surface.
Lead researcher Dr. Cameron Riviere says that the device avoids having to stop the heart, disturb the ribcage, or deflate the left lung to access the heart, -hence reducing the risk of illness linked to heart bypass procedures.
So far the device has been tested successfully on pigs, performing the fitting of pacemaker leads and the injection of dye into hearts. Yet, Riviere says that using the robot on humans would be a much more difficult step and the device is years away from clinical use.
Accordingly, the next stage will be to do similar tests using a sheep's heart, with the researchers hoping the HeartLander would be available for surgical use, within the next three to four years.
Says Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation:"Whilst
'"/>Page: 1 2 Related medicine news :1.
Futuristic devices are here to take care of dental problems
2.
Indian Nationals with Foreign Medical Degrees can now practice in India 3.
Meditation Works Medically4.
Sleep Disorders Could Indicate Other Medical Problems5.
Being Obese Increases Ones Risk Of A wrong Diagnosis During Medical Imaging 6.
Hypnosis Found To Reduce Stress In Children During Medical Procedures7.
Stanford Medical Center Implements The First Virtual Cardiac Ultrasound8.
Ayurvedic Therapies Cashing In On Medical Tourism 9.
Prevention And Timely Medical Care Can Help With Bug Bites10.
Government Organisation Proposes Strict Guidelines For SubStandard Medical Devices 11.
Grant of $7 million for Orissa Medical College from Japan