Nano-robots to fight cancer, predict heart attacks: Doctor presents futuristic vision
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Nagpur: "Nano-robots will soon travel through blood vessels to kill cancer cells, remove blockages in the heart, and heal injuries using smart patches," said renowned heart surgeon Dr Ramakant Panda while delivering the prestigious Dr KG Deshpande Memorial Oration on Sunday.
Speaking on 'Vision to Reality: Technology-Driven Future of Healthcare', Dr Panda said nanotechnology, quantum computing, AI, big data, genome sequencing, and personalised medicine will radically reshape the future of healthcare. "Devices like smart watches and smart rings are just the beginning. Soon, smart shirts, belts, socks, and even implantable micro-sensors will monitor health 24x7, analysing every second's change and warning of possible heart attacks or strokes before they happen," he said.
Dr Panda explained that nano-robots, currently at advanced research stages, will be injected into the bloodstream. "They will specifically target tumours, deliver medicines, repair tissues, and enhance healing like never before," he added. He also highlighted that once extremely expensive genome sequencing has become accessible, "It will help predict disease risks early and personalise treatment".
"Today, healthcare uses only 3% of AI's potential. In the coming years, AI and big data will revolutionise diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient monitoring," he emphasised. Quantum computing, he said, will compress years of research into seconds, speeding up drug discovery and genetic analysis. Praising the advancement of Nagpur's own Dr Saurabh Varshney in robotic heart surgery, Dr Panda said, "The future of surgery is robotic and precision-driven."
Dr Prafull Kerkar, pioneer of transcatheter closure of RSOV (Rupture of Sinus of Valsalva), took the audience on a nostalgic journey through two decades of progress. "Transcatheter closure means repairing a hole or tear in the heart using a thin tube (catheter) inserted without surgery, usually through blood vessels. When I performed transcatheter closures 20 years ago, they were front-page news," Dr Kerkar said with a laugh. "Today, they are routine, even in cities like Nagpur. The pace of technological advancement is mind-blowing, and the future is even more exciting."
On Sunday, cardiologist Dr Amar Amale took over as the youngest president of Cardiological Society of India (Vidarbha chapter). Dr Amale shared his energetic vision for public outreach. "Today's youth is flooded with information — and misinformation — about heart health. Our mission will be to give them clear, correct, and actionable knowledge," he said. He stressed that the CSI Vidarbha chapter will organise CPR training programmes for common people, corporates, and students. "Our focus will be empowering people, not just treating them," he added.
Future of Healthcare
NANO-ROBOTS: Will travel inside blood to target cancer cells, clear blockages, and repair tissues
SMART WEARABLES: Shirts to socks, clothes will monitor your health every second
MICRO SENSORS: Tiny devices under the skin will alert you and doctors about heart attacks
GENOME SEQUENCING: Predicting diseases will become routine and affordable
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