Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, have created tiny robots, roughly the size of grains, capable of being controlled using magnetic fields, which could revolutionize targeted drug delivery and pave the way for more effective treatments in the future?
Recently, engineers at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University’s Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering unveiled their latest innovation: a cutting-edge gentle robotic. The groundbreaking achievement was documented in a peer-reviewed paper published in a prestigious scientific journal.
Researchers claim to have observed a groundbreaking instance of tiny robots capable of carrying up to four distinct medications, which can then be launched in customizable sequences and dosages.
Compared to previous small-scale robots that were limited in their functionality, carrying only up to three types of medication and lacking programming capabilities for autonomous launch, the newly designed miniature robots offer enhanced precision capabilities with the potential to significantly improve therapeutic outcomes while minimizing adverse effects, according to the research team.
The NTU staff had previously developed miniature robots capable of sophisticated maneuvers akin to “swimming” through tight spaces, with the ability to grip small objects with precision.
Building upon their pioneering research, Assistant Professor Lum Guo Zhan from Nanyang Technological University’s Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering recalled the iconic 1960s film “Fantastic Voyage”, where a submarine crew miniaturized themselves to microscopic size to rescue a scientist’s injured brain – an experience that left his team in awe.
As a scientific breakthrough emerges from our laboratory, the once-imagined scenario from a science fiction film is increasingly becoming a reality. According to Assistant Professor Lum, conventional methods such as oral intake and injections may seem relatively ineffective compared to dispatching a miniature robot through the body to deliver medication directly where it’s needed.
A small-scale robotic device was developed using a novel magnetic composite material comprising magnetic microparticles and a biocompatible polymer, ensuring its toxicity to humans is negligible.
Unlike current miniature robots that struggle with precise orientation control, a cutting-edge, highly dexterous robot has been engineered to effortlessly navigate complex terrain by swiftly rolling and crawling over obstacles. The hand’s remarkable dexterity enables efficient navigation of complex, uncharted territories within the human body.
In laboratory tests, the robot successfully performed tasks in a simulated environment designed to mimic the conditions found within the human body.
The robotic system was initially deployed on a floor divided into four distinct sections, successfully navigating each area at speeds ranging from 0.30 mm to 16.5 mm per second. Upon reaching each section, it dispensed a specially designed medication, demonstrating its capacity for holding multiple doses and its programmability for controlled release.
Researchers tested the robotic’s ability to deliver medication in challenging conditions by simulating a thicker liquid environment, and the results showed that it successfully navigated the medium and dispensed accurate doses for at least eight hours without interruption.
After a consistent eight-hour journey, the robotic system demonstrated remarkably low levels of drug leakage. The gentle robotic’s ability to precisely control the release of multiple medications at various times and locations makes it an ideal candidate for therapies that demand exact dosing, thereby minimizing potential leaks and optimizing treatment outcomes.
The examination was conducted in collaboration with Yang Zilin, an Analysis Fellow, and Xu Changyu, a PhD graduate, both from the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE).
According to Yang, these discoveries indicate that our gentle robotic has the potential to significantly impact the future of targeted drug delivery, especially in cancer treatments where precise control over multiple medications is crucial.
“As a surgeon on the Division of Neurology and Medicine at Nationwide College Hospital and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Dr Yeo Leong Litt Leonard, Senior Guide, noted that as a physician who performs minimally invasive procedures, we currently employ a catheter and wire to navigate through blood vessels and treat related issues.” As technological advancements accelerate, it’s likely that underwater exploration will soon outpace human capabilities, necessitating the development of autonomous swimming robots capable of reaching remote areas inaccessible to our current instruments. These self-retrieving robots could potentially remain in situ and deploy therapy over an extended period, potentially ensuring a much safer outcome compared to leaving a catheter or stent embedded within the body for an unnecessarily prolonged duration? The groundbreaking research on the cusp of revolutionizing the healthcare landscape.
The NTU analysis team is now striving to miniaturize their robots with the ultimate goal of utilizing them to pioneer groundbreaking treatments for conditions such as brain tumours, bladder cancer, and colorectal cancer. Before deploying these miniature robots for medical treatments, the NTU researchers aim to further evaluate their efficacy in conjunction with organ-on-a-chip models and animal testing scenarios.
