According to the World Health Organization, approximately 186 million people globally suffer from infertility, a significant proportion of whom – spanning 11% to 67% – experience tubal blockages as the primary cause of female infertility cases. Researchers at SIAT’s Magnetic Tender Microrobots Lab, in collaboration with AIP Publishing, have pioneered a groundbreaking solution featuring a magnetically propelled robotic microscrew designed to tackle fallopian tube blockages.
“This innovative approach offers a significantly less invasive alternative to traditional surgical methods currently employed to clear tubal obstructions, often involving the use of conventional catheters and guidewires,” said creator Haifeng Xu.
The micro-robot is fabricated from non-magnetic photo-sensitive resin, which has been coated with a thin layer of iron to confer magnetism upon it. Through external magnetic manipulation, the robot rotates, generating translational motion that enables navigation within a glass tube mimicking a fallopian canal. With precision-engineered robotic arms, the device swiftly dislodges a cell cluster obstruction situated inside the channel, effectively replicating the common blockages found in the female reproductive tract. Magnetic resonance imaging precisely maps the narrow and delicate passageways of the fallopian tubes, providing pinpoint navigation.
The design of the micro-robot represents another groundbreaking innovation. Its unique physique features a screw-like morphology with a helically constructed body, a central cylindrical tube, and a rounded disk-shaped tail. While the helix-shaped construction drives propulsion, its disk-shaped counterpart ensures stability in the robotic’s movement. As the screw rotates, a vortex zone forms, efficiently propelling fragments toward the tail and facilitating more effective unblocking.
During exams, the microrobot showcased its remarkable ability to efficiently clear simulated blockages, leveraging the powerful vortex generated by its spinning screw propeller to successfully displace obstructing particles.
In pursuit of long-term goals, the research team aims to develop a more advanced and diminutive microrobot. In a bid to verify the performance of robots in remote organ settings, researchers aim to combine in vivo imaging techniques with real-time tracking methods to monitor the microrobots’ movement and position in situ. The workforce envisions expanding the capabilities of robots in surgical procedures, including automated management systems that will enhance the efficiency of blockage removal and other medical procedures.
Stating that the ultimate goal of this research is to provide a clinically practical and minimally invasive solution for individuals struggling with infertility issues, Dr. Xu emphasized the significance of this breakthrough.
