Robot Beetle That Roams Body Seeking To Destroy Cancer

The idea of a beetle moving around inside your body may be the stuff of horror films. But scientists believe an insect-shaped robot could be a major weapon in the fight against cancer. The device, just under an inch long, is designed to be inserted into the body through a small incision. Once inside, doctors can control its movements and direct it to areas where investigations are needed. It would be able to capture images through a tiny camera placed in its "head" - and could deliver drugs through a special injecting device. Early versions have also included tiny forceps for taking tissue samples. In future these nippers could be used to snip out cancerous cells. Less than half an inch across, the metal device is encased in plastic to protect its components while in the body. It is connected to a computer by a cable through which it relays data and images. This can also be used as a "safety line" if the beetle goes off course. Doctors would be armed with MRI body scans of the patient taken in advance to help them navigate the robot.