| Issue |
Natl Sci Open
Volume 3, Number 4, 2024
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Article Number | 20240006 | |
| Number of page(s) | 3 | |
| Section | Engineering | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1360/nso/20240006 | |
| Published online | 25 April 2024 | |
COMMENTARY
Scalable fabrication of magnetic soft microfiberbots for robotic embolization
State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis, Optimization and CAE Software for Industrial Equipment, National Engineering Research Center for Advanced Polymer Processing Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
* Corresponding authors (emails: Xianhu.liu@zzu.edu.cn (Xianhu Liu); Shency@zzu.edu.cn (Changyu Shen))
Received:
20
February
2024
Revised:
8
April
2024
Accepted:
18
April
2024
Intracranial tumors and aneurysms rank among the foremost causes of mortality globally, presenting a significant public health challenge [1,2]. Traditional embolization techniques, which involve the manual navigation of slender catheters and guidewires through complex vascular networks, are highly dependent on the clinician’s expertise and the mechanical capabilities of the instruments used. This reliance introduces considerable variability in patient outcomes, while the lengthy durations of such interventions pose additional health risks, including increased exposure to ionizing radiation for both patients and medical personnel. The advent of active robots designed for remote navigation within blood vessels heralds a new era in the field of robotic embolization, offering promising advancements [3–5]. These robotic systems aim to surmount the limitations of conventional methods by providing enhanced precision, reduced procedural times, and minimized radiation exposure. Despite their potential, current robotic technologies face significant hurdles in maneuverability, steerability, and shape-morphing capabilities, especially within the confines of submillimeter vascular regions. The thresholds that define success in this domain include the ability to navigate the intricate and variable anatomy of the human vasculature reliably, the capacity for precise positioning and deployment of embolic agents, and the minimization of procedural risks and patient discomfort. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the widespread adoption and clinical transfer of robotic embolization technologies.
In a significant publication in Science Robotics, a cross-disciplinary team led by professors Jianfeng Zang, Guangming Tao, and Guang-Zhong Yang has presented a novel robotic embolization method for expanded navigation and operation workspace [6] (Figure 1). Their findings represent a substantial breakthrough on the untethered microfiber robot, which enables precise, safe, and rapid access from delivery catheter to confined targets such as blood vessels and aneurysms. The magnetic soft microfiber robots, with customizable helical geometries, exhibited multimodal shape morphing, in situ anchoring, and locomotion abilities under external magnetic fields as the impressive demonstrations in simulated bloodstream and rabbit femoral artery model.
 |
Figure 1 The scalable fabrication of magnetic soft microfiberbots via fiber thermal drawing and post-treatment. (A) The fabrication process of magnetic soft microfiberbot; (B) images of straight microfibers; (C) images of magnetic soft microfiberbots; (D) an image of magnetic soft microfiberbots deployed via a catheter to the surface of the brain phantom. Scale bar, 5 mm. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [6]. Copyright 2024, American Association for the Advancement of Science. |
The innovative design of microfiber robots (microfiberbots) leverages magnetic soft microfibers, utilizing fiber thermal drawing [7,8]—a technique historically applied in producing silica optical fibers—for scalable and multifunctional fabrication [9,10]. This method integrates ferromagnetic microparticles within a flexible thermoplastic matrix, encapsulated by a robust polycarbonate shell, allowing for the precise tuning of fiber diameters between 20 and 90 μm and enabling further customization into helical shapes for diverse applications [11,12].
Functionally, these microfiberbots can securely anchor within blood vessels, akin to vascular stents, due to their helical structure and magnetization, which also facilitates their controlled elongation and contraction in response to external magnetic fields. This magnetic responsiveness, combined with their durability, allows for repeated, reversible shape transformations, highlighting their potential for minimally invasive medical interventions.
The process simplifies the fabrication of interventional instruments, significantly reducing complexity and cost compared to traditional methods that require intricate tapering, wrapping, and coating. Through a single thermal drawing process, thousands of microfiberbots can be produced, with their physical characteristics—such as pitches and diameters—precisely adjustable at the preform stage. This adaptability, along with the ability to tailor microfiberbots for individual vascular structures, positions them as a promising approach for personalized medical treatments.
The development of magnetic soft microfiberbots signifies a controllable alternative to conventional catheter-based embolization. This breakthrough addresses critical challenges such as device maneuverability and precise navigation within the body’s complex vascular system, offering a novel solution with its magnetically responsive, shape-morphing capabilities. Notably, these microfiberbots present unique advantages including scalable production, potential for personalized treatments, and enhanced control for procedures like cerebral aneurysm and brain tumor treatments. Despite the promise, transitioning to clinical application demands further exploration into biocompatibility, safer imaging for navigation, and efficient propulsion mechanisms. This work not only propels us towards a new era of precision medicine but also underscores the necessity for continued innovation in material science and robotics to realize the full potential of microfiber robots in medical interventions.
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© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Science Press and EDP Sciences.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
All Figures
|
Figure 1 The scalable fabrication of magnetic soft microfiberbots via fiber thermal drawing and post-treatment. (A) The fabrication process of magnetic soft microfiberbot; (B) images of straight microfibers; (C) images of magnetic soft microfiberbots; (D) an image of magnetic soft microfiberbots deployed via a catheter to the surface of the brain phantom. Scale bar, 5 mm. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [6]. Copyright 2024, American Association for the Advancement of Science. |
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