Dr. Frog Saves Lives!

Welcome dear readers!

In this post, we will share an inspiring story of how frogs are able to inspire the medical engineering field and aid doctors in performing keyhole surgeries

In 2013, researchers at the University of Leeds has used the feet of tree frogs as an inspiration for the design of a tiny robot aimed to crawl inside patients’ bodies during keyhole surgeries (keyhole surgeries are surgeries that are carried out through a very tiny opening, and require the aid of special instruments to operate). These tiny little frog-like robots are designed to move across the internal abdominal wall of a patient, allowing surgeons to see what they are doing on a real-time video feed.

The tree frog’s feet are able to provide a solution to the critical problem of getting the device to hold onto wet, slippery tissue when it is vertical or upside down. Although it is relatively easy to find ways of sticking to or gripping tissue, the patterns on the frog’s feet offer a way to hold and release a grip without harming the patient.

This is due to the hexagonal patterned channels (the same hexagonal patterns that inspired the treads on tires mentioned in the previous post) on the feet of tree frogs. When these hexagonal toe pads get in contact with a wet surface build capillary bridges, a strong adhesion force is formed.

According to Professor Neville of Leeds:

"While basic capillary action works to an extent, the adhesion fails as soon as there is movement, so we have looked at the tiny mechanisms used in nature. It is only if you look at the scale of a thousandth of a millimetre, that you can get enough adhesion to give the robust attachment we need.” – tiny mechanisms implying the hexagonal pattern toe pads of frogs. 

The frog-inspired robot has four feet (as seen below) – each capable of holding a maximum of about 15 grams for each square centimetre in contact with a slippery surface. The researchers are aiming for a device that is 20×20×20mm, though existing prototypes are approximately double this target. 

Prototype of the frog inspired intra-abdominal robot attaching itself on a steel plate

(Source: University of Leeds, 2013)

Researchers are now trying to halve the size of their prototype so that it can fit through the incisions made during keyhole surgery. The prototype’s weight is currently of the order of 20 g and is still under the research of reducing its size and weight. 

This frog-like surgical device is not the only bio-inspired robots designed by the researchers of the University of Leeds. Other nature-inspired robots include an electric ‘mole’ designed to dig through rubble in disaster zones and a giant robo-worm (click to watch!) that mimics the nervous system of a real nematode worm designed as a crawling heat seeking equipment for search and rescue teams to deliver aids to trapped survivors collapse buildings.

We hope we inspired you and provided u an idea of how biomimetics can help in better the lives, infact even saving lives of others. Stay tuned for more!

Frogs are amazing creatures, aren't they?
:)

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