Medical advances turn fiction into reality

From the skeleton to help people with paralysis, micro-robots 'erode' tumors in the brain to tireless machines like the nurses in hospitals ., the future of medicine is wide open in many respects. According to experts, many people's skills are gradually being improved or replaced by robots and high-tech equipment - a trend that will become popular in just a few years. Here are some remarkable scientific advances that have been introduced by AFP:

1. Robots 'eat' tumors in the brain

Understanding the difficulties that surgeons often face when treating tumors deep in the brain, scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have developed a robot inspired by maggots. It has the ability to burn tumors with electricity and suck the debris out. According to the National Institute of Biological and Biomedical Engineering Research (NIBIB-USA), the research funding unit, robots have many joints that can move in many directions. The device has been tested for safety on the body and human body.

2. Robot removes cancer tumors

Inspired by crabs, Singaporean scientists have created a laparoscopic surgery robot called MASTER , which uses throats from the throat to the stomach to remove cancer tumors with two tiny ones. The research team at Nanyang Technological University explained that while the more tight the tumor is, the more the unit will cut it. This process takes only 20 minutes, promising to eliminate the need for surgery soon, which lasts for hours. The 'crab claw' robot has been successfully tested on many patients.

3. Robot skeleton frame

Engineers around the world are racing to design the lightest and most automatic assistive skeleton, not only to restore motor function for the disabled but also to enhance strength and endurance for those often carrying heavy objects or hiking (like soldiers or lifeguards).

With a lower body design, the robot skeleton operates with motors - the main unit helps to reduce muscle tension. Its mechanism of operation is similar to a mind-boggling suit that helped Juliano Pint - a 29-year-old Brazilian who was paralyzed on both legs - to make the pitch at the World Cup opening 2014 recently.

4. Computer chips help restore vision

Among the recent scientific advances to treat retinal degeneration are the bionic eye system, which has helped restore some vision to dozens of patients in the United States. and Europe.

The system works thanks to a chip implanted in the eye to mimic the functions of the light-receiving cells, combined with a small built-in camera on the glasses. The camera is responsible for sending images to the chip via a mini computer, which transmits electronic signals to the brain, where the signal is 'translated' into images. In an invention, the chip takes on both the reception of light and the image transmitter.

Currently, the main obstacle for patients who cannot use 'bio-electronic eyes' is high cost, about 140,000 USD / set.

5. Robot treatment and care of patients

In order to reduce fear and cut down on the number of major surgeries in which doctors have to put their hands into the patient's internal organs, compact robotic arms have been developed and used more and more in surgeries. less invasive. The use of robotic arms also allows doctors to perform manipulations that require skill beyond the capabilities of their hands, as well as allowing them to perform remote surgeries, ie doctors can control Surgical knives on robotic hands from outside the operating room.

With the advantage of helping the medical sector save the cost of hiring staff, medical robots are also beginning to take over the work of the assistants at the hospital. At home, nursing robots can help people with disabilities to communicate and live more independently, such as robotic arms with scoops that help patients scoop up food.