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Article by: Sharon Wong Shi May
As diseases become more complex, the need for sophisticated technological solutions is required to treat them. Hence, the introduction of tiny robots allows doctors to efficiently target the root causes at the molecular level. The transport of drugs directly to the target site is more advantageous as the diffusion of conventional drugs is inefficient and will introduce more side effects.
1- Millirobot by Stanford University
Renee Zhao, a Stanford University mechanical engineer, developed a multifunctional, wireless millirobot designed to crawl, swim and spin for precise drug delivery
Its unique geometry facilitates efficient locomotion through narrow spaces
Magnetic fields control its motion and generate torque
It has a special compartment for storing medicines to be transported
The shape-changing function allows the liquid drugs to be ejected
The negative pressure in the robot allows it to swim and transport liquid drugs to target sites. (University, 2022)
2 - Microrobot by CU Boulder
The engineers at CU Boulder designed a self-propelling microrobot for efficient drug delivery and internal surgery without requiring invasive procedures.
Administered through pill or injection.
The 3D-printed microrobot consists of three fins for propelling and a place to trap a small air bubble, which when exposed to an acoustic field, will cause vibration and push the robot forward
Future enhancements by the engineers from CU Boulder include biodegradability.
Primarily designed to treat bladder disease. (CU Boulder Today, 2023)
3 - Microrobots by ETH Zurich
Inspired by the movement of starfish larvae
Powered by ultrasound waves to oscillate cilia (small hair) at over ten thousand times faster than a starfish larva to generate virtually identical flow patterns. Adding tiny plastic beads to the water made it possible to visualize the vortices created by the microrobot.
Cilia for mixing, pumping and trapping particles.
Deliver drugs and perform minor surgeries.
It swims in a straight line through liquid.
Engineers from ETH Zurich suggested using contrast agents for improvement. (ethz.ch, 2021)
Reference:
CU Boulder Today. (2023). These tiny, medical robots could one day travel through your body. [online] Available at: https://www.colorado.edu/today/2023/05/24/these-tiny-medical-robots-could-one-day-travel-through-your-body. [Accessed: 13 January 2024]
ethz.ch. (2021). Finding inspiration in starfish larva. [online] Available at: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2021/11/finding-inspiration-in-starfish-larva.html. [Accessed: 13 January 2024]
University, S. (2022). Tiny robots for precision drug delivery. [online] Stanford News. Available at: https://news.stanford.edu/2022/06/14/tiny-robots-precision-drug-delivery/. [Accessed: 13 January 2024]
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