A team of engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder has made a significant breakthrough in the field of robotics with the development of a new class of tiny, self-propelled robots. These microscale robots exhibit exceptional speed in liquid environments and hold the potential to revolutionize drug delivery, including reaching inaccessible areas within the human body. The researchers' findings were published in the journal Small, outlining the tremendous possibilities these mini healthcare providers hold for the future of medical treatment.
The Incredible Capabilities of Microrobots
Measuring a mere 20 micrometers in width, the microscale robots created by the team at the University of Colorado Boulder are several times smaller than a human hair. Despite their minuscule size, these robots possess remarkable speed, capable of traveling at approximately 3 millimeters per second, which is equivalent to 9,000 times their own length per minute. To put this into perspective, their speed surpasses that of a cheetah relative to body length.
The Potential for Drug Delivery
The potential applications of these microscale robots are immense. In recent experiments, the research team deployed fleets of these robots to transport doses of dexamethasone, a commonly used steroid medication, to the bladders of lab mice. The results were highly promising, indicating that microrobots could serve as valuable tools in the treatment of bladder diseases and various other illnesses.
Dr. Jin Lee, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, envisions a future where these microrobots could perform non-invasive surgeries and medical procedures within the human body. Rather than subjecting patients to invasive surgical interventions, the robots could be introduced through simple means such as pills or injections. Once inside the body, they would autonomously navigate and carry out the required procedures, thereby minimizing patient discomfort and risks associated with traditional surgeries.
Inspired by Science Fiction
The concept of micrometer- and nanometer-scale robots may seem like something straight out of science fiction, akin to the 1966 film "Fantastic Voyage," where a group of adventurers embark on a journey inside a shrunken submarine within a comatose patient's body. However, today's advancements in microscale robotics have brought us closer to the realm of science fiction becoming a reality. Dr. Lee draws inspiration from such fictional works, envisioning microrobots swirling through a person's bloodstream, targeting specific areas to treat a wide range of ailments.
Design and Propulsion Mechanism
The microrobots are constructed from biocompatible polymers using a technology similar to 3D printing. Resembling small rockets with three fins, they possess a unique feature—a trapped air bubble. This air bubble, comparable to the air pocket formed when a glass is immersed upside down in water, plays a crucial role in the propulsion mechanism. When subjected to an acoustic field, such as that used in ultrasound, the trapped air bubble vibrates intensely, propelling the robot forward by pushing water away.
Path to Human Applications
Although the progress made by the research team is remarkable, Dr. Lee acknowledges that more work is needed before microrobots can navigate through the human body. One key objective is to develop fully biodegradable machines that can eventually dissolve within the body, mitigating any potential long-term risks or complications.
In the case of bladder disease, such as interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome, the team's microrobots demonstrated their potential in laboratory experiments. These miniature robots, encapsulating high concentrations of dexamethasone, were introduced into the bladders of lab mice. The microrobots dispersed within the organ, adhering to the bladder walls
References:
University of Colorado at Boulder. "Medical 'microrobots' could one day treat bladder disease, other human illnesses." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 May 2023. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230524181939.htm>.
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