About this episode
The episode explores the use of small robots in medicine and the implications of microplastics in the human body.
Thinking small can sometimes achieve big things. A new generation of diminutive robots can enter our bodies and deal with medical problems such as intestinal blockages. But do we really want them swimming inside us, even if they’re promising to help? You might change your mind when you hear what else is cruising through our bloodstream: microplastics! We take a trip into the human body, beginning with the story of those who first dared to open it up for medical purposes. But were the first surgeons really cavemen? Guests: Ira Rutkow – Surgeon and writer, and author of “Empire of the Scalpel: The History of Surgery” Dick Vethaak – Emeritus professor of ecotoxicology, water quality and health at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Free University, Amsterdam) in The Netherlands Li Zhang – Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Michael LaBarbera - Professor in organismal biology, anatomy and geophysical sciences, University of Chicago Descripción en español originally aired June 20, 2022 Opening theme by Jun Miyake Big Picture Science is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact…
People in this episode
Guests: Ira Rutkow, Dick Vethaak, Li Zhang, Michael LaBarbera
Topics covered
- medical technology
- robotics
- microplastics
- surgery history
- healthcare
Keywords
- robots
- intestinal blockages
- microplastics
- surgery
- health
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Chicago
Books & works: Empire of the Scalpel: The History of Surgery
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