A microscopic computerized nanorobot, shown at upper left, looks for life-threatening blockages in a human blood vessel. In this artist’s futuristic illustration, the hypothetical nanorobot uses rotary blades to break up the blockage and suction nozzles to remove the gray plaque. The disk-shaped objects are red blood cells.
Image originally exhibited as “Nanorobot” at the Science Photo Library, with only theĀ thumbnailĀ available online. In 2004 the full image appeared online as “Nanobot Computers of the Future” atĀ Encarta. A slightly different version (Image #228) including an injection needle appeared online as “Nanotech Vein Busters” atĀ ArchiLine Inc.Ā in 2001.