Scientists from universities in Leeds, Glasgow, and Edinburgh have unveiled an innovative robotic device designed to detect and potentially treat bowel cancer. The tiny robot, about the width of a UK penny, uses a unique oloid shape similar to a mussel shell to roll through the colon while being guided externally by a magnet. This design enables it to perform detailed 3D scans of the digestive tract, capturing images that were previously impossible with conventional methods.
The breakthrough, detailed in a paper published in Science Robotics, could transform the early diagnosis of bowel cancer a condition that is treatable when caught early but remains the second-deadliest cancer globally. Researchers believe the robot’s ability to navigate the colon more thoroughly will help in detecting malignancies sooner. Moreover, the technology holds promise for future treatments, as it may allow for targeted, ultrasound-triggered drug delivery directly to cancerous tissues.
Developers hope to launch human trials of the coin-sized robot next year after successful tests on pigs. The new method could simplify the current multi-stage screening processes by combining diagnosis and therapy in one minimally invasive procedure. This could be particularly beneficial for women, whose longer colons often make traditional screenings more challenging and uncomfortable.
While experts praise the device as “potentially groundbreaking,” further studies will be essential to validate its safety, effectiveness, and cost efficiency before it can be adopted into routine clinical practice.
