Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles have developed a new robotic hand that can be a boon in Microsurgery.
The hand measures just 1mm when closed to a fist. Moreover the device is also safe for biological applications as it depends on gas pressure rather than electricity for movement.
The hand has four fingers that are made from six silicon wafers with polymer balloons that act as muscles for flexing or closing the hand.
Each of the polymer balloons are connected with narrow channels through which air can be pumped in or out.
Albert Pisano who is a mechanical engineer at the University of California, Berkeley and also a leader in such research commented by saying that:
‘I must say that the microhand is a wonderful achievement. The field of microsurgery and minimally invasive surgery is currently dominated by grippers and tools that are mounted at the end of long, rigid aluminum rods. Certainly these are adequate for many purposes, but now that functional microhands have been developed, one can visualize a new set of minimally invasive surgical tools that allow the surgeon additional dexterity in complicated procedures.’
The developers also stated that the use of such Robotic hands in surgery is still a thing of future. But still they intend in making a slightly bigger hand with a mini camera that can also act as eyes for the hand.
Via: technologyreview
