Kang Byeong-jeon, professor at Chonnam National University.
“Medical robots for minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures are changing the paradigm in the medical field. In particular, the technology to precisely drive and control microrobots using ultrasound and magnetic fields will expand the scope of diagnosis and treatment beyond the reach of existing surgical methods.”
Byeong-Jeon Kang, a professor in the Department of Data Science at Chonnam National University, has focused on research on biomedical microrobots and artificial intelligence (AI)-based medical image processing after receiving his doctorate in biorobotics from the University of Santa Anna in Italy. During my doctorate, I also focused on developing technology to improve interaction between doctors and robots in surgical robotic systems.
He said, “I was interested in research on microrobots optimized for minimally invasive procedures, which is the ultimate goal of medical robots.” He added, “Initially, we focused on microrobot control using magnetic field energy, and recently, ultrasound-based micro and nanoparticle driving technology. “We are expanding the scope of research,” he said.
Professor Kang developed an actively driven microrobot guided by a magnetic field. This robot performs a variety of medical functions, including treatment, drug delivery, and real-time imaging.
The research paper includes advanced magnetic field control-based microrobot technology, such as independent electromagnetic field control technology for freely moving micromedical robots and capsule endoscopes with tissue harvesting and drug delivery functions. We also proposed core technologies essential for targeting and accessing difficult lesion areas inside the living body.
Professor Kang said, “We have begun a new phase of research to precisely manipulate micro and nanoparticles using ultrasonic energy,” and added, “We have realized multi-degree-of-freedom particle movement through a holographic acoustic tweezer system and created nano-carriers necessary for drug delivery. “We have succeeded in researching how to manipulate clusters,” he emphasized.
“We have also developed ultrasonic-based fine control technology that can be applied to various medical fields, such as manipulating fine particles at blood vessel bifurcations and controlling multi-functional microrobots using single-channel ultrasonic actuators,” he said. “These technologies can move ultra-small robots to desired locations in the body.” “We are showing excellent results in accurately delivering drugs or targeting specific tissues,” he explained.
Professor Kang is actively conducting research using AI to analyze various medical image data. We are increasing diagnostic efficiency by building color conversion-enhanced data for classifying upper gastrointestinal capsule endoscopy images, and maximizing diagnosis and treatment efficiency by enhancing the resolution and accuracy of medical images with an AI-based model.
In particular, we plan to improve the precision of image-based diagnosis and treatment by converging AI, ultrasound, and magnetic field-based microrobot control technology and enable medical robots to perform diagnosis and treatment more quickly and accurately.
Professor Kang said, “Future medicine will overcome existing limitations through the combination of precise robots and AI. Microrobot research based on ultrasound and magnetic field energy will enable new treatment approaches for various diseases.” He said.
He then emphasized, “We will contribute to increasing safety and accuracy in the medical field,” and “We will pursue medical innovation using cutting-edge technology and continue to strive to provide optimal diagnosis and treatment solutions through medical robots.”
Gwangju = Reporter Kim Han-sik hskim@etnews.com
As a professional website editor, I would like to conduct an interview with Professor Kang Byeong-jeon about his research on biomedical microrobots and artificial intelligence (AI)-based medical image processing. To create an engaging and informative interview, I have divided the discussion into the following themes:
1. Overview of Professor Kang’s research on microrobots and AI-based medical image processing
2. The potential of ultrasound- and magnetic field-based microrobot control technology
3. Recent advancements in microrobot technology and applications
4. Integration of AI for diagnostic efficiency in medical imaging
For each theme, I prepared several open-ended questions to encourage discussion and different viewpoints:
1. Overview of Professor Kang’s research on microrobots and AI-based medical image processing:
– Could you please provide an overview of your research on biomedical microrobots and AI-based medical image processing?
– How do you see the role of AI in enhancing diagnostic efficiency and accuracy in the medical field?
– What inspired you to focus on developing microrobots optimized for minimally invasive procedures?
– Could you share some of the challenges you faced during your research on this field?
2. The potential of ultrasound- and magnetic field-based microrobot control technology:
– What are the advantages of using ultrasound and magnetic fields for microrobot control compared to traditional methods?
- How did you develop independent electromagnetic field control technology for freely moving microrobots?
– Could you give examples of potential applications for this advancement in ultrasound and magnetic field-based microrobot control technology?
– Have you encountered any limitations while working on ultrasound and magnetic field-based microrobot control technology?
3. Recent advancements in microrobot technology and applications:
– Could you elaborate on your recent research on manipulating micro and nanoparticles using ultrasonic energy?
– What potential advantages do these multi-functional microrobots have over traditional methods for drug delivery and targeting specific tissues?
– How do you envision the future of medicine combining precise robots and AI for more accurate diagnosis and treatment?
– What are