Chameleon’s Ballistic Tongue: Medical Robot Model for Blood Clot Elimination.
The lightning-fast and precise movements of chameleons and salamanders’ tongues, designed to catch insects, could become allies of modern medicine. Researchers analyzed how these animals store and release energy in their oral apparatus and concluded that their biomechanical architecture can be reproduced in soft materials. This finding opens the possibility of creating biomimetic robots for medical applications.
The Mechanism Behind a “Sling” Tongue
The study, published in Current Biology, compared chameleons and salamanders for the first time. Both use muscles that compress an internal bony rod, generating a sling effect capable of shooting the tongue at 16 feet per second. This efficiency depends on a mechanism of energy storage and release.
Engineering Inspired by Biology
Researchers suggest that this model of natural biomechanics can be used for engineering purposes. According to Professor Stephen Deban, “nature has already solved these problems, now we learn how to adapt those solutions for us.” The principle is to create a system capable of releasing energy quickly and in a controlled manner, ideal for medical robotics.
Possible Medical Uses
One promising application is the creation of microrobots capable of moving through and removing clots. These devices would function as “artificial tongues,” reaching difficult areas without causing damage. The clinical potential is significant, especially in the treatment of thrombosis and strokes.
