Source: University of Stuttgart/Timo Gissibl
A team of German engineers have produced a unique kind of camera.
This 3D-printed concoction has three lenses and is only 0.12 millimeters wide making it slightly smaller than a grain of salt, according to The Verge.
Physicians could use this device as an alternative imaging tool. The camera can fit inside a syringe and is able to focus its lenses from a distance of 3 millimeters, potentially transforming into a non-invasive endoscope that can capture images in different organs or even the brain.
The researchers said in a statement that this discovery could be a “paradigm shift”. Typically manufacturing boundaries have made it difficult to produce lenses that are small enough for use in certain medical fields.
However, 3D printing bypassed this limitation because the engineers were able to design, manufacture, and test their creation within a few hours. Results indicated that the camera was able to produce impressive results within this time-frame too.
3D printing is a process where layers after layers of materials like plastic or metal are placed on top of each other to create three-dimensional objects. Medical professionals have used this technology to design new prosthetics or dental implants, but notably The Food and Drug Administration approved the first 3D-printed drug last summer.
The research was published in the journal Nature Photonics.
