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Doctors in Wisconsin have developed a mechanical leech for use
in surgery.
They say it will replace the blood-sucking parasite, which is still
used in some everyday procedures.
The mechanical version is inserted just beneath the skin and can
drain a larger quantity of blood without it clotting.
Leeches are used to promote blood flow - often to tissue which
has been transplanted.
Nadine Connor, a scientist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison
team which designed the device, said: "In the case of the leech
in medicine we think we can improve on nature"
The new invention stops the blood from clotting by supplying heparin
to the area being treated. It also reduces the risk of infection.
Ms Connor added: "But perhaps the mechanical device's biggest
advantage is that it is not a leech. People don't want this disgusting
organism hanging on their body."
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