Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Creating wireless milliscale robots that navigate inside soft tissues of the human body for medical applications has been a challenge because of the limited onboard propulsion and powering capacity at small scale. Here, we propose around 100 permanent magnet array–based remotely propelled millirobot system that enables a cylindrical magnetic millirobot to navigate in soft tissues via continuous penetration. By creating a strong magnetic force trap with magnetic gradients on the order of 7 T/m inside a soft tissue, the robot is attracted to the center of the array even without active control. By combining the array with a motion stage and a fluoroscopic x-ray imaging system, the magnetic robot followed complex paths in an ex vivo porcine brain with extreme curvatures in sub-millimeter precision. This system enables future wireless medical millirobots that can deliver drugs; perform biopsy, hyperthermia, and cauterization; and stimulate neurons with small incisions in body tissues.
Source: Science Advances
Authors: Donghoon Son, Musab Cagri Ugurlu, Metin Sitti
Language: English
Topic: Micro and Nano Robotics
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Funder: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
OpenAlex ID: W3207776218