Scientists discover tiny robots that may treat strokes and tumours |
A breakthrough study published in Science by researchers at ETH Zurich has revealed a new generation of tiny magnetic microrobots capable of delivering life-saving drugs directly to stroke-causing clots and tumour sites with remarkable precision. The study demonstrate s a 95 percent success rate in targeted drug delivery, signalling a major shift in how future doctors may treat some of the world’s deadliest conditions.
Tiny robots deliver targeted drug for safer and more effective treatment
Current stroke treatments involve administering powerful clot-dissolving drugs into the bloodstream. While effective, these drugs circulate widely and may cause serious complications, including internal bleeding.The microrobot offers a way around this problem. The capsule can be loaded with a clot-dissolving or tumour-fighting drug, which is only released when doctors activate it with a high-frequency magnetic field. The magnetic nanoparticles heat up under this field, dissolving the gel shell and releasing the drug exactly where it is needed.This hyper-targeted approach could dramatically reduce side effects and allow for lower doses of medication. It also opens the door to treating sensitive or hard-to-reach areas, such as cerebral vessels inside the brain.Professor Bradley Nelson, a leading expert in microrobotics at ETH Zurich, explained that magnetic fields are especially suited for medical procedures because they can penetrate deep into the body without damaging tissue.
How the tiny robots work inside the body
The newly developed microrobot is a tiny spherical capsule made from a soluble gel shell. Inside the capsule are iron oxide nanoparticles that allow doctors to steer it through blood vessels using external magnetic fields, and tantalum nanoparticles that make the robot visible on X-ray imaging.The robots are guided by a modular electromagnetic navigation system that combines three magnetic strategies, including one that rolls the capsule along blood vessel walls at a highly controlled speed of 4 millimetres per second. This fine-tuned control allows the robot to reach precise targets, such as a thrombus that is blocking blood flow to the brain during a stroke.What makes the system groundbreaking is its accuracy. In laboratory and model-based tests, the microrobots successfully reached their target more than 95 percent of the time.
Tested in realistic models and live animals
To put the technology to the test, the team created highly detailed silicone models that mimic human and animal blood vessels. In these controlled environments, the microrobot successfully navigated to and dissolved artificial clots.After these lab successes, researchers moved to in vivo trials. The microrobot was successfully steered inside pigs and even through the complex cerebrospinal fluid pathways in sheep. This is considered one of the biggest milestones of the project, as it shows the robot can operate in extremely challenging anatomical environments.Lead author Fabian Landers said the successful navigation in these conditions shows “enormous potential for further therapeutic interventions,” adding that the goal now is to move rapidly toward human clinical trials.
A new frontier for treating tumours and infections
While stroke treatment was the primary focus, the researchers believe the technology could be adapted to deliver drugs directly to tumours or localized infections. By placing medication precisely at the disease site, doctors could minimize the harm caused by systemic chemotherapy or powerful antibiotics.The team’s long-term aim is to make these microrobots usable in operating rooms, giving surgeons and interventional radiologists a new tool for minimally invasive treatments.
A transformative technology for global health
Strokes affect 12 million people worldwide every year and are a leading cause of death and disability. Tumours, particularly in difficult-to-reach locations, remain among the greatest challenges in medicine. A safe and precise microrobot that can deliver drugs directly where they are needed has the potential to save countless lives.As Landers noted, “Doctors are already doing an incredible job in hospitals. What drives us is the knowledge that we have a technology that enables us to help patients faster and more effectively and to give them new hope.”Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment and before changing your diet or supplement regimen.
