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The final frontier is in your rear:
New research shows that an 18-mm magnetized capsule colonoscope, which can be paired with standard medical instruments, successfully performed intricate maneuvers inside the colon while guided by an external magnet attached to a robotic arm. Researchers believe this technology will reduce the potential discomfort of colonoscopies and lead to more people undergoing the life-saving screening test. [...] Researchers hope the capsule robot, which is inserted rectally, could be used safely and effectively in the future on humans to identify and remove pre-cancerous lesions and tumors detected during colonoscopy.
[...] Dr. Obstein and his team tested the capsule robot, which has a tether that is smaller in diameter than conventional endoscopes, 30 times in the colon of a pig. They reported that it successfully completed the maneuver of retroflexion, in which it bends backward to give the endoscopist a "reverse-view" of the colon wall, on its own (i.e. autonomously/autopilot) at the press of a button.
"Not only is the capsule robot able to actively maneuver through the GI tract to perform diagnostics, it is also able to perform therapeutic maneuvers, such as biopsies of tissue or polyp removal, due to the tether -- something that other capsule devices are unable to do," added Dr. Obstein. "Since the external magnet pulls the capsule robot with the tether segment from the front or head of the capsule, instead of a physician pushing the colonoscope from behind as in traditional endoscopy, we're able to avoid much of the physical pressure that is placed on the patient's colon -- possibly reducing the need for sedation or pain medication."
[Besides the obvious medical benefits, I had to run this story because it nearly writes its own jokes — have fun! --martyb]
(Score: 3, Interesting) by marknmel on Friday May 12 2017, @11:48PM (3 children)
I've seen virtual colonoscopies before, as these are somewhat related to my job. Effectively they can be a 3D reconstruction of some imaging technique like computed tomography. As the radiologist views the colon, the viewed area is generally "painted" by the software to indicate that portion has been viewed. When the radiologist reaches the end, they navigate their way back to the opening, painting another colour as they return. This helps ensure that the rad has seen the entire colon, and no spots have been missed.
What I always seem to think is - especially the navigation of the study, it's like a really bad video game of "Descent" - Gah!
There is nothing that can't be solved with one more layer of indirection.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 13 2017, @05:19AM
Have it involve zapping a blockage in the colon, then time your capsule robot's escape so it it ejects itself right before the fecal matter explosion :)
For such a static animation, it sure was fun watching the exit tunnel for each level and flying out as the mines exploded in Descent/Descent 2.
It is too bad Descent 3's engine never got open sourced. I would really like to play a spruced up version of it on linux like I did with the first two games.
(Score: 2) by cafebabe on Saturday May 13 2017, @10:20AM
Descent: Goatse Edition.
1702845791×2
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 13 2017, @10:45AM
Pull your head out of your ass, we'll have this stuff integrated with VR headsets in no time... oh wait...