Johns Hopkins professor David Gracias has created a tiny, flexible, microscopic, robotic, hand-like hydrogel gripper that could help doctors perform remotely guided surgical procedures and biopsies. He believes that the materials could also, in the future, deliver therapeutic drugs to difficult to reach places.
The hydrogel can swell in response to changes in temperature, acidity or light, providing energy without being tethered to a power source. A stiff biodegradable polymer makes the microhands strong enough to wrap around and remove cells. Magnetic nanoparticles guide the microhands with a magnetic probe.
Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC 2015 – June 30 @ New York Academy of Sciences