Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 459,692 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,236 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,366 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,236 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,366 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,208 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 459,692 cutting edge ideas.

Microscopic Body Submarines

Blood Vessel Swimming 'Proteus' Robots Could Soon Be Reality

— January 21, 2009 — Tech
Do you believe it? A microscopic submarine like in the movie Fantastic Voyage is now set to become a reality. 

Scientists in Australia have designed one of the smallest motors which they say can swim through blood vessels, and can drive around inside the body. The device is said to measure a quarter of a millimeter wide. 

The scientists also believe it can be used to treat stroke patients, just like the sub in the 1966 film which starred Raquel Welch. 

The device is equipped with a camera to easily send important pictures to the surgeon. It can also remove body tissue for biopsies or deliver treatments to body parts needing to be cured. 

Scientists who designed the motor, which is less than the width of two hairs, named it Proteus after the miniaturized submarine in the Oscar-winning film.

So far, the motor has successfully swum through human blood in a laboratory, although scientists at Monash University in Melbourne still hope it will also power its way up to the brain’s narrow arteries. 

Strong enough to swim through the blood stream, the micro sub also controls piezoelectricity – the same type of energy used in gas lighters.

It does not have a propeller. Instead, it has a tail less than a millimeter long which swishes thousands of times a second to make it move. 
Trend Themes
1. Microscopic Body Submarines - Opportunity for disruptive innovation in medical treatment and precision medicine through the use of micro-submarines in blood vessels.
2. Blood Vessel Swimming 'proteus' Robots - Potential for disruptive innovation in invasive surgeries and diagnostic procedures as tiny robots can navigate blood vessels, take pictures, and perform biopsies.
3. Piezoelectricity in Medical Devices - Disruptive innovation opportunity in medical devices by utilizing piezoelectricity as an energy source for micro-robots and other innovative medical technologies.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - Micro-submarines and swimming robots open up new possibilities for innovative medical treatments and procedures.
2. Medical Devices - Development of micro-robots and miniaturized devices for imaging, biopsy, and drug delivery creates opportunities for disruptive innovation in the medical devices industry.
3. Biotechnology - Integration of micro-submarines and advanced robotics technology in biotechnology research can lead to disruptive breakthroughs in precision medicine and drug delivery systems.
1.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness