The use of microrobotics in healthcare - Research Paper Example

Nanobots are engineered nanodevices or nanomachines whose size is as small as a microbe and are expected to have a wide range of application in the field of medicine as therapeutic agents and other medical uses (Kroeker). The tiny size of the robot is their unique feature which will enable them to interact at the bacterial and virus levels. They could also be easily injected into the bloodstream by which they can reach the target site to fix any problem. This potential application is now being considered for cancer treatment as cancer-killing robots can be injected in to the bloodstream by which they can locate the malignant cancer cells and destroy them through laser or other mechanisms.

The efficiency of the nanorobots is such that the tumor could be completely removed right till the last molecule. Such a utility of the nanorobots offers immense benefits both to the patient and the medical team as it is less traumatic and at the same time more efficient than other forms of treatment that are currently in use such as chemotherapy. In chemotherapy apart from the malignant cells some non-target normal tissue cells are also damaged. This causes unwarranted stress to the body which is already waging a battle to fight out the tumor cells.

Surgery, which is being touted as the last alternative in cancer treatment is also not always effective as it still retains the chance of a tumor relapse as even if a single molecule is left in the body from the surgery the tumor has the potential to return. In such cases even the effort from the medical team might go in vain as it is not always possible to completely remover the tumor cells. The use of nanorobots in such cases will not only cause the non-target cells to remain undamaged while eliminating every single cancer cell but will also ensure that the patient will not be out through a highly invasive or traumatic procedure.

Only such a treatment will result in complete recovery for the patient (What are the capabilities of Nanobots?). In addition to their potential use as cancer curing agents, nanorobots could also be used in other common ailments. They can be used to remove particles from the bloodstream by which clogged arteries can be completely opened up by removing every cholesterol molecule. In case an organ is affected nanorobots can be made to swim to the affected region and perform a micro-surgery on the organ in a non-invasive and less traumatic manner thereby preventing the need for any surgery on the already damaged organ.

The fact that surgeries are still a painful experience for all concerned cannot be sidelined and hence researchers are constantly searching for an alternative procedure that would be less invasive and traumatic. They can also be used to repair normal tissue damage such as internal wounds. In addition to clearing the damaged tissue cells nanorobots can also be engineered to build newer and healthy cells in the area and seal the wound. By this process the presence of any scar tissue from the wound healing process can also be alleviated.

As nanobots do not necessarily warrant a surgical intervention those people suffering from allergies to anesthetics, hemophilic patients who are incapable of undergoing surgery and others with surgery related problems would be immensely benefited by nanobots.. Studies have also shown that nanobots can also function as