The bronchoscope commonly used to inspect lung health cannot travel through narrow airways, requiring the use of catheter attachments, which make navigation cumbersome. Robotic technology developed at the University of Leeds in the U.K. can fulfill this diagnostic role.

The 2 mm diameter magnetic tentacle is controlled autonomously with external magnets mounted on robotic arms and does not require X-ray imaging during deployment. The device is composed of interlinked cylindrical segments, each about 80 mm in length and composed of a rubbery elastomer with embedded magnetic particles. The flexible tool features an autonomous magnetic guidance system to direct travel through passages in the organ.

To ensure system autonomy, a movement sequence for the external magnets is calculated before its use, based on patient scan data. This has the advantage of not requiring medical staff to grapple with a bronchoscope and eliminates the need for X-ray imaging during the procedure.

A section of the magnetic tentacle robot next to a bronchial tree model. Source: University of Leeds

The magnetic tentacle has been tested as a proof-of-concept, using a model of the bronchial tree, and future steps will entail testing in cadavers prior to clinical trials. The researchers hope that the device described in Soft Robotics will aid clinicians in diagnosing and treating various lung diseases.