Implantable microroBOT

Introduction

Small-scale medical robotics was born from a science fiction vision: shrinking down a group of surgeons and letting them swim to the brain to save a patient’s life. This vision calls for precision, efficiency in delivering force, and noninvasiveness. Conversely, the microrobots proposed so far are only able to perform drug or cell delivery.

Challenges

Furthermore, their capability to keep an active configuration is strictly dependent on the presence of a certain external stimulus. In this ERC project, I aim to tackle these challenges by devising new actuation mechanisms, control, and imaging strategies allowing the microrobots to exert suitable forces and prolong their lifetime.

I-BOT Overview

I-BOT proposes the first generation of implantable microrobots featured by a multi-material structure including:

• A liquid perfluorocarbon core
• A shape memory polymers magnetic composite skin

By exploiting magnetic material programming, microrobots will be capable of multimodal locomotion under magnetic guidance.

Mechanism of Action

Upon target reaching, low intensity pulsed ultrasound and alternated magnetic fields will trigger:

1. Acoustic droplet vaporization
2. Magnetic hyperthermia

This will produce simultaneous volumetric expansion of the internal chamber and deformation of the surrounding skin to allow fitting the implant site. Shape memory polymers will ensure shape locking upon removal of the triggering signals, thus providing a stable implant.

Tracking and Monitoring

Ultrasound acoustic phase analysis will allow microrobot tracking over the entire implant procedure and prolonged lesion monitoring upon implantation.

Validation Scenarios

The I-BOT approach will be validated in three relevant validation scenarios:

1. Ulcer filling
2. Vascular graft
3. Long term tumoral lesion monitoring

This will demonstrate the flexibility of the approach and unveil the potentialities and the impact of implantable microrobots.

Future Steps

As a final step, the most promising validation scenario will be tested in vivo in large animals, as a step forward in moving microrobots from the bench to the bedside.