Octopus tentacle inspires new flexible tool for surgeons

Robotic arm can transform from a bendable to rigid instrument, setting it apart from other surgical tools

Octopus at the German Natural History Museum
(Image credit: Getty)

The flexible tentacles of an octopus have inspired a new surgical device designed to access remote parts of the body.

Designed by a group of researchers from Italy, the robotic arm can transform from a bendable to rigid instrument, setting it apart from traditional surgical tools.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us