Scientists from the Shiga University of Medical Science and Ritsumeikan University in Japan, have created
yet another miniature robot to explore around the inside of your bod y. The robot, which is less than 1" x 0.5" is inserted through an incision and is moved by controlling a magnetic field surrounding the patient.
The researchers developed five different kinds of prototypes with features such as image capture functions, medicine delivery systems, and tiny forceps for taking tissue samples. MRI images of the patient taken in advance serve as a map for navigating the minibot, which is said to have performed swimmingly in tests on animals.
The robot is also equipped with an umbilical cord to send back images and other data. Here's a link to the article in Japanese, if you're so inclined.