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A robotic catheter can move independently in the human body
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
Biological engineers at Boston Children's Hospital have announced the first clinical trial of a robot capable of autonomously navigating a predetermined course inside the body.
In medical and especially cardiac surgery practice, control robots are not a novelty. For more than a decade, such devices have been successfully coordinating the work of control joysticks. In addition, robotic technology is widely used to perform invasive manipulations: such robots are able to move around the body, thanks to magnetic energy.
Today, scientists have presented a new "miracle of technology" - we are talking about a robot that can move independently inside the body. Such devices are being developed to reduce the risk of complications and negative consequences for patients, as well as to allow surgeons and cardiac surgeons to do more important things - for example, directly performing the operation.
A new robotic catheterization device will make it possible to perform cardiac interventions faster and more efficiently. The catheter has an optical system and a navigation sensor built into it, which has information about the anatomy of the cardiovascular system. The sensor also records images in advance, allowing it to determine where exactly the required area is located and in which direction it should continue moving to reach the required coordinates.
The specialists have already tested the new unique equipment: they performed a series of surgical operations to replace heart valves in pigs. The scientists assembled special artificial valves specifically for the experiment, and inserted a robotic catheter into the circulatory system of the experimental animals. The device independently found its way to the necessary place in the heart. Then the surgeon coordinated and controlled the device, performing the necessary reconstructive manipulations. The heartbeat did not have to be stopped during the operation.
Scientists have conducted several test runs and declared the device a complete success. Experts suggest that in the near future, cardiac surgeons will be able to use robotic equipment as their own assistant and helper. First of all, this will help the doctor do his job faster and better, without unnecessary workload. By the way, the robot catheter has an extremely precise auto-navigation, which can be compared to that of controlling the catheter manually or with a joystick.
A description of the scientific work is presented on the page of the online publication Science Robotics (robotics.sciencemag.org/content/4/29/eaaw1977).