Revolutionary Soft-Robotic Prototype Developed at Vanderbilt University to Aid Patients with Blockages and Stents
The field of medical robotics is constantly evolving, and a recent development by a team at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee is a significant step forward in helping patients with oesophageal issues such as blockages caused by tumours or those requiring stents.
The soft-robotic prototype developed by the team is driven by strong magnets controlled by a wearable external actuator. This device can aid patients suffering from oesophageal cancer, a condition where traditional metal tubes, known as oesophageal stents, are currently used. These patients run the risk of food being blocked from entering the stomach, which can potentially lead to food entering the lung instead.
The innovation of this new soft-robotic device lies in its ability to restore the natural motion of peristalsis, the wavelike muscular function that occurs in tubular human organs. By mimicking this natural motion, the device can help improve the quality of life for patients, particularly the aging population.
Led by Xiaoguang Dong, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and in collaboration with Dr. Rishi Naik, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the research team successfully designed a soft sheet of small magnets arrayed in parallel rows that can produce the torque required to pump various solid and liquid cargoes.
According to the researchers, this type of magnetically actuated soft robotic pump has not been reported before and could have potential applications beyond oesophageal issues. For example, the device could potentially be used to aid in processes such as transporting human eggs when muscular function in the fallopian tubes has been compromised by disease.
With further refinements and advancements in manufacturing processes, the device could also be scaled down to adapt to narrower passageways in the body. The funding support provided by Vanderbilt University School of Engineering and facility support from Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been crucial in the development of this innovative medical device.
This groundbreaking research work was done in collaboration with the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE), highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of medical robotics research and the potential for impactful advancements in patient care. As researchers continue to push the boundaries of medical technology, innovations like this soft-robotic prototype offer hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for patients in need.