Remotely examine the stomach: scientists have begun clinical trials of PillBot

>> the PillBot robot/Interesting Engineering

The Endiatx company has started clinical trials of the PillBot robotic capsule, which will allow doctors to remotely examine the patient's gastrointestinal tract. A person can undergo an examination without visiting a hospital, being in a comfortable home environment.

PillBot is a robot pill that, after entering a person's stomach by swallowing, acts as a virtual endoscope. Interesting Engineering writes about it.

This device allows a gastroenterologist to conduct a study of the gastrointestinal tract using video conferencingjust a phone call away, without requiring the patient to visit a hospital or undergo anesthesia.

In the future, the company plans to expand the functionality of the PillBot by adding tools for removing polyps, stopping bleeding, sampling the microbiome and collecting biopsy samples. Interestingly, the roadmap for the development of this innovative product includes as well as the creation of a series of surgical robots of increasingly smaller size and an increasingly wide range of applications for use in the human body.

The advantages of this technology are the possibility of immediate diagnosis anywhere with minimal invasiveness (trauma). However, the company is already saying that the time will surely come when an army of robots the size of a grain of rice will be able to operate while a person goes about their normal daily work.

Obviously, PillBot clinical trials are just the first step. on the path to creating remote diagnostics and treatment, which will become the new standard. It is noted that the technology developed by Endiatx can be applied in other areas, not only in medicine. For example, for internal inspection of pipelines, in particular located under water, and other hard-to-reach places.