Soft Robotic Enteroscope Navigates Pig Intestine in Preclinical Study

Movement and textured surfaces for grip. The researchers drew on snake movement and textured surfaces for grip.

Clue: A research team has developed a flexible robotic enteroscope to help navigate the small intestine, whose length and folds make it difficult to examine. MIT and UT Southwestern researchers drew on snake movement and textured surfaces to help the device grip and advance.

The device demonstrated tools in pigs but requires validation before human testing. The tests were preclinical and do not establish clinical benefit.

Clue: In preclinical pig studies it travelled approximately two metres and demonstrated imaging, tissue sampling and local fluid delivery. The researchers say further engineering and safety validation are needed before human testing; the results do not establish clinical benefit.