Soft robotics is a relatively new field under the umbrella term ‘robotics’, which focuses on creating robots that mimic living organisms. This task is done using flexible material instead of rigid equipment, to replicate more real-life movements and functions. By doing so, scientists are further able to understand organisms, and ‘soft’ robots are also more suited to help and work with humans.
Soft robotics in the Medical Field
Soft robotics have especially made a big impact in the medical field both “in vivo”, which is research on living organisms and “in vitro” which is research done in labs; or any exterior application, due to the robots’ ability to do intricate functions and be flexible. The continuous advancements in the soft robotics field provide more success when it comes to ‘in vivo’ and ‘in vitro’ applications.
In vivo Application
There are many instances ‘in vivo’ when a tissue, organ or bodily movement has to be treated or even replaced with biomaterial devices– which can be a variety of natural or synthetic substances like metals, plastic, and even living cells and tissues – that can then be transformed into devices and ready to use. In these cases, doing the procedure by hand often leads to having a large open surgery which may cause infections, and it must be really precise which is known to be a difficult task for many humans. The soft robots are now able to insert the biomaterial device by only having to create a miniscule gash, and they provide greater precision due to their ability to reach deeper places than humans with the help of their flexible structure.
In vitro Application
Soft robots can also serve as biomaterial devices themselves. They are replacing prosthetics and seem to be successful due to their ability to replicate natural bodily movements, which helps to create greater comfort, and helps the user do a wide range of activities not possible beforehand. Further advancements in soft body prosthetics, specifically for hands and arms show that soft body prosthetics can have sensors embedded within, allowing them to feel and respond to the users movements, a feat not possible using basic prosthetics. The idea of creating a spine using soft body robots has started to gain popularity as it can provide those with back impairments with more comfort and mobility. Soft body robots can also execute various other tasks in labs like environmental monitoring, therapy and disease models all of which help patients and scientists further understand different diseases in the fields.
Soft robots are a new type of technology which we are just starting to unlock. The vision and potential that comes with it can revolutionise the medical field both from experiments done in a lab with a petri dish and in real life situations as-well. Now, it’s just a matter of waiting to see what soft robots can do to make the dreams of many, of touch and senses, come to life.
References
“Biomaterial.” Biomaterial - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/biomaterial#:~:text=A%20biomaterial%20is%20defined%20as,and%20interaction%20with%20the%20body. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.
“Biomaterials.” National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/biomaterials#:~:text=Metals%2C%20ceramics%2C%20plastic%2C%20glass,in%20biomedical%20products%20and%20devices. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.
Bo, Yunwen, et al. “Advancements in Materials, Manufacturing, Propulsion and Localization: Propelling Soft Robotics for Medical Applications.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 4 Dec. 2023, www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1327441/full#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20materials%20used,silicone,%20elastomers,%20and%20hydrogels.
Do, Thanh Nho. “Soft Robot for 3D Bioprinting inside the Human Body.” In, 28 Feb. 2023, healthcare-in-europe.com/en/news/soft-robot-for-3d-bioprinting-inside-the-human-body.html.
Jrudder@opcenters.com. “Soft Robotics in Prosthetics.” OP Centers, 21 Apr. 2024, opcenters.com/soft-robotics-in-prosthetics/#:~:text=The%20Benefits%20of%20Soft%20Robotic%20Prosthetics&text=Unlike%20rigid%20prosthetic%20devices%2C%20which,with%20greater%20ease%20and%20precision.
Lynne Eldridge, MD. “What Do the Terms in Vivo and in Vitro Mean?” Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2024, www.verywellhealth.com/what-does-in-vivo-and-in-vitro-mean-2249118#:~:text=The%20terms%20%22in%20vivo%22%20and,developing%20drugs%20or%20studying%20diseases.
“Why Do We Need Soft Robotics?: Robotshop Community.” RobotShop Community, 10 May 2019, community.robotshop.com/blog/show/why-do-we-need-soft-robotics.
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