Researchers from ETH Zurich(Zurich,Switzerland; www.ethz.ch) have devised a technique to transport large devices through a narrow catheter, expanding the possibilities for designing minimally invasive surgical tools.

This pioneering approach to minimally invasive surgical instruments allows larger objects to be introduced into the body via a narrow catheter.

This can be done by disassembling the devices into individual components and sliding them through the catheter in a row,similar to a string of pearls.

Upon reaching the catheter’s end,the parts self-assemble into a predetermined shape,facilitated by integrated magnets.