MIT Develops Soft Snake-Inspired Robot to Navigate and Treat Small Intestine Disorders

Disorders of the small intestine pose unique diagnostic and treatment challenges due to the organ’s length—over 20 feet—and its deep location inside the body. Traditional methods like double balloon enteroscopy involve slow, labor-intensive procedures that inflate and deflate balloons to propel scopes through the intestine.

MIT engineers have responded by creating BIOSENTER, a soft robot inspired by snake locomotion and skin texture. The robot’s tubular body contains four inflatable chambers that can be selectively expanded or contracted, enabling it to bend and move forward through the winding intestine similarly to how a snake slithers.

To enhance traction on the slippery mucosal lining, the robot is coated with a patterned sleeve based on kirigami, a paper art involving cutting and folding. When the robot’s balloons inflate, three-dimensional needles emerge from the coating, resembling snake scales, which grip intestinal tissue gently without causing damage.

The device is equipped with a camera for internal imaging, a sprayer for localized drug delivery, and clips that allow it to take biopsies or remove small polyps. The robot is tethered to external controls enabling precise navigation through the small intestine’s twists and turns, potentially entering via the mouth or rectum.

In animal studies, BIOSENTER successfully traversed approximately six and a half feet of small intestine, demonstrating effective movement, imaging, drug delivery, and biopsy functions. This represents a promising advance over the current, slower double balloon enteroscopy method.

However, the technology is still in development, with ongoing efforts to improve navigation systems and expand the robot’s applications within the small intestine. The use of soft robotics and kirigami-inspired traction offers a novel approach that balances effectiveness with tissue safety.

The research signifies a significant step toward automated, minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment of small intestine disorders, which could improve patient outcomes and reduce procedure times. Yet, further studies and clinical trials will be necessary before widespread clinical adoption.

MIT’s project is supported by a range of funding sources including academic fellowships, university departments, and industry partners, reflecting interdisciplinary collaboration between mechanical engineering and gastroenterology.