The Mermaid was created by a team of researchers from Ryukoku University and Osaka Medical College in Japan. Not only is it kinda cute in a medical device sort of way, the Mermaid is a testament to Japanese engineering.
It’s less than a half-inch in diameter, two inches long and has a magnetic propulsion system. Once it enters your stomach or colon, the Mermaid snaps two photos each second and is controlled remotely with a joystick.
The entry point for the Mermaid is either your mouth or your—well, you know. The whole trip from stem to stern takes only a few hours and is minimally invasive when compared to the traditional colonoscopy. [Mainichi Daily News Via PopSci and MedGadget]
BrisBilly
Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 5:14 PMMight I suggest this device is designed to go one way only: through the mouth and then south! The alternative south-north route doesn’t bear thinking about; imagine it working its way up your oesophagus and then out your mouth, having travelled all the way through the nastier parts of your guts!!
Aaron
Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 5:35 PMSo it’s a robot camera that swims up your ass? Truly we are living in an age of wonder.
Fabric
Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 6:27 PMSoo.. if it’s re-usable, I hope that they give it a good wash after it’s come out of someone else’s ‘you-know’!
silence is golden
Friday, June 24, 2011 at 1:03 AMIt looks tough, but it’s really crying on the inside.