We are proud to be part of the prestigious British Science Festival 2024 programme of events. It is a unique opportunity for our team to engage with people of all ages and see how they interact with our research. They will have the chance to get to grips with cutting-edge robotic surgery tools through hands on activities and gauge their own dexterity and skills.
Ross Henry, Research Engineer and PhD Candidate, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences
02 September 2024
Micro-robots meet the public at the British Science Festival 2024
The School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences showcases how micro-robotics can be used for eye surgery and the delivery of regenerative therapies at the British Science Festival 2024.
The exhibit, ‘Micro-robotics for eye surgery’ will be exhibited at the British Science Festival on the 14th of September at the University of East London. Visitors will learn how new micro-surgical robotic systems are being developed that can operate within the human retina and other areas deep within the human body.
Audiences will be shown how micro-robotics could be used for cutting-edge procedures including delivering regenerative STEM-cell therapies and restoring sight to people with conditions such as age-related macular degeneration.
Led by Dr Christos Bergeles, a team from the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences are developing a continuum robot, a robot that can flex and alter its shape, moving similarly to an elephant’s trunk, but is only half a millimetre in size.
These robots can reach the bottom part of the eye where they can transplant retinal cells to replace damaged ones, ultimately improving the dexterity of the surgeon.
With the help of these robots, surgeons will be able to go within the human eye and operate with the finest precision possible.
Public interest in the scientific research that forms the foundation of modern healthcare is at an all-time high, making opportunities like British Science Festival crucial for promoting our School's mission to engineer better health. Flexible micro-robots will allow surgeons to carry out interventions that are currently impossible ultimately improving patient outcomes and positively impacting patient lives.
Prof. Christos Bergeles, Reader, Department of Surgical & Interventional Engineering
The exhibit 'micro-robotics for eye surgery' along with four other exhibits are being showcased at the British Science Festival as part of the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibits on Tour.
The Summer Science on Tour is a new initiative from the Royal Society which takes exhibits which had previously showcased at the annual Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition to new venues and shows throughout the country.
The British Science Festival is a free interactive experience from the 11th-15th September, featuring exhibits, talks and activities to showcase the latest advances in science and technology.
In this story
Professor of Surgical Robotics