Micromotors Can Swim in Bloodstream, Assist Surgeons

Researchers in Australia are working on a “micromotor” that’s only 250 micrometers wide, which is about 2.5 times the width of a human hair. They hope to mount sensors and cameras on the tiny flagellating device to assist in delicate and minimally-invasive surgical procedures. Neato.

"Serious damage during minimally invasive surgery is however not always avoidable and surgeons are often limited by the width of a catheter tube for example, which in serious cases, can fatally puncture narrow arteries," Professor Friend said.

I'd be worried about it getting stuck.

NANITES!!!!!!

Looks like something between a sperm and a torpedo.

Originally Posted by SpeedRunner

Looks like something between a sperm and a torpedo.

SPERMPEDO!

2.5 times the width of a human hair? I haven't seen how thick arteries and veins are, but wouldn't that be a bit thick? Or am i thinking of capillaries?

Originally Posted by SpeedRunner

Looks like something between a sperm and a torpedo.

Glad I'm not the only one that though that. Also the Pic has a watermark on it called "Gizmag"

FTW!!!

Originally Posted by SamuraiInBlack

SPERMPEDO!

2.5 times the width of a human hair? I haven't seen how thick arteries and veins are, but wouldn't that be a bit thick? Or am i thinking of capillaries?

your thinking of capillaries. Veins and arteries can be as large as 1/4 inch in dia.

Originally Posted by vengence

your thinking of capillaries. Veins and arteries can be as large as 1/4 inch in dia.

pfft mine's bigger

Terry just couldn't resist saying "flagellating"

This is wishful thinking (for now), but at least they're thinking. I say that because the flagellum would not be able to hold its position if there were any perfusion, so at best I'd call it a 'scout' and not an 'assistant'. Regardless, nano motors will be coming, so at least here they are proceeding in an application that makes almost as much sense as spying

They need to make some that will eat the cholesterol/plaque out of my arteries, then take the nearest route to my colon to be shat out.

Originally Posted by w1retap

They need to make some that will eat the cholesterol/plaque out of my arteries, then take the nearest route to my colon to be shat out.

I think you would need an SPERMPEED OF SPERMPEEDOS to do that my friend.

Looks like a damn tampon applicator.

Is that thing gonna swim upstream? Considering the speed at which blood flows (not totally sure, but i think it's fairly fast), how is that thing going to make any progress? I think that it would just get pushed around by the blood.