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Untethered ultrafast-rotating spiral microrobot for physical thrombolysis
The ability to manipulate micro-scale objects with precision is a growing field in biomedical engineering, particularly in the context of treating thrombotic conditions. Thrombolysis, the process of dissolving blood clots, remains a significant challenge in medical treatment, with current techniques often limited by their invasiveness and effectiveness. Recent advancements have explored the use of microrobots for targeted thrombolysis, leveraging their ability to maneuver in complex biological environments to enhance clot dissolution and drug delivery. Rotation plays a crucial role in various natural processes, including feeding and locomotion, demonstrating its effectiveness in achieving complex interactions with the environment. However, achieving ultrafast rotation in artificial microrobots presents significant engineering challenges. Traditional methods of inducing rotation, such as acoustic manipulation, have shown promise but are often constrained by limitations in rotational speed and control precision. These constraints hinder the microrobot's ability to effectively engage with functions.
In response to these challenges, we introduce an innovative solution: an untethered ultrafast-rotating spiral microrobot designed for physical thrombolysis. This microrobot employs a symmetric spiral structure that generates a consistent torque while maintaining a zero net force, allowing for sustained high-speed rotation. The unique design of the spiral structure ensures efficient rotational motion, overcoming previous limitations in rotation speed. A key feature of our microrobot is its sharp-tip design, which enhances its ability to penetrate and mechanically disrupt thrombi. This mechanical drilling action facilitates the breakdown of clots, making thrombolysis more effective. Additionally, the microrobot incorporates a drug-holding cavity, enabling it to deliver therapeutic agents directly to the site of the thrombus. This dual functionality—mechanical disruption combined with targeted drug delivery—promises a more efficient approach to thrombolysis. This ultrafast-rotating microrobot represents a significant advancement in microrobot design and its application in medical treatments.
This study presents an innovative untethered ultrafast-rotating spiral microrobot designed for physical thrombolysis. Unlike conventional methods limited by slow rotation speeds, our microrobot features a symmetric spiral structure that generates high-speed rotation with minimal force. The sharp-tip design enables effective penetration and mechanical disruption of thrombi, while an integrated drug-holding cavity allows targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. This combined approach enhances the efficiency of thrombolysis, offering a promising solution for treating blood clots with precision and effectiveness.
This study presents an innovative untethered ultrafast-rotating spiral microrobot designed for physical thrombolysis. Unlike conventional methods limited by slow rotation speeds, our microrobot features a symmetric spiral structure that generates high-speed rotation with minimal force. The sharp-tip design enables effective penetration and mechanical disruption of thrombi, while an integrated drug-holding cavity allows targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. This combined approach enhances the efficiency of thrombolysis, offering a promising solution for treating blood clots with precision and effectiveness.
- Acoustic Manipulation System & Microfluidic Setup
Set up an acoustic system with HIFU and PDMS to control microrobots using high-frequency sound waves. The system creates pressure gradients to precisely move microrobots within a fluid medium for tasks like targeted drug delivery or navigation in biological environments. A microfluidic system manages fluid flow, ensuring controlled movement of microrobots through narrow channels for applications like diagnostics or drug delivery.
- Rotation & Propulsion
Study rotation speed using HIFU. Microrobots can be rotated and propelled through magnetic fields, acoustic waves, or chemical reactions. Magnetic actuation offers precise control, ideal for tasks like microsurgery or navigating blood vessels.
- Thrombolysis Applications
Microrobots deliver thrombolytic drugs to blood clots or physically break them apart. Acoustic or magnetic systems guide the robots to the clot site, ensuring localized treatment with minimal side effects, offering a targeted, less invasive alternative to traditional clot-busting therapies.
- Acoustic Manipulation System & Microfluidic Setup Set up an acoustic system with HIFU and PDMS to control microrobots using high-frequency sound waves. The system creates pressure gradients to precisely move microrobots within a fluid medium for tasks like targeted drug delivery or navigation in biological environments. A microfluidic system manages fluid flow, ensuring controlled movement of microrobots through narrow channels for applications like diagnostics or drug delivery. - Rotation & Propulsion Study rotation speed using HIFU. Microrobots can be rotated and propelled through magnetic fields, acoustic waves, or chemical reactions. Magnetic actuation offers precise control, ideal for tasks like microsurgery or navigating blood vessels. - Thrombolysis Applications Microrobots deliver thrombolytic drugs to blood clots or physically break them apart. Acoustic or magnetic systems guide the robots to the clot site, ensuring localized treatment with minimal side effects, offering a targeted, less invasive alternative to traditional clot-busting therapies.
Please send your CV and transcript of records to Yong Deng: dengyo@ethz.ch and Prof. Dr. Daniel Ahmed: dahmed@ethz.ch, Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab. Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-MAVT). RSA G 324, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland.
Website: https://arsl.ethz.ch/
Please send your CV and transcript of records to Yong Deng: dengyo@ethz.ch and Prof. Dr. Daniel Ahmed: dahmed@ethz.ch, Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab. Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-MAVT). RSA G 324, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland. Website: https://arsl.ethz.ch/
Student Project - Untethered ultrafast-rotating spiral microrobot for physical thrombolysis.docx
