Soft robotic biomedical devices function magnetically

One of the challenges of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery lies in getting surgical instruments into the patient’s body via a narrow catheter. Scientists may have found a solution with magnetic instruments that pop into and out of shape as needed. The experimental MaSoChain (magnetic soft-robotic chain) system was developed at Switzerland’s ETH Zurich research institute by a team led by then-doctoral student Hongri Gu. 

MaSoChain incorporates 3D-printed surgical instruments made up of small, rigid polymer segments linked by flexible, elastic connectors. Each segment has a tiny strategically placed magnet inside. When inserted into a catheter, the components sit end to end in a row. As the instrument is pushed out of the end of the catheter, its magnets are drawn to one another, causing it to take on the desired shape, which is wider than the catheter. Once the surgical task is complete, the instrument’s components revert to their narrow configuration as they’re pulled back out through the catheter. The whole setup can then be sterilized and reused. Photo: ETH Zurich/Nicole Davidson