A new magnetic tool enables high-precision control of small microrobots inside the body. The tool could open the door to targeted and minimally invasive medical treatments.
The Tuneable Magnetic End Effector (TME) has been developed by scientists at the Robotics for Under Millimetre Innovation (RUMI) lab at the University of Essex. The TME generates magnetic fields that can be switched on and off, shaped and targeted. This makes it possible to control so-called microrobots inside the human body.
Microrobots are very small robots that are in many cases a few micrometres (one millionth of a metre) to a few millimetres in size. The robots are specifically designed to perform tasks too small for traditional robots. In the medical sector, microrobots can be used to deliver medication to specific areas of the body, among other things. However, consider also taking tissue samples or performing minor surgical procedures.
More accurate, less damage and fewer side effects
TME allows treatments to be delivered directly to diseased and hard-to-reach tissues, such as cancer, according to researchers. The tool thus improves treatment accuracy, reduces damage to healthy tissue and limits side effects that often occur with traditional methods such as chemotherapy.
The tool has been mounted on robotic arms by the researchers. It is possible to combine the TME with AI agent-based control models. This combination will enable controlled control of medical devices, soft robotic tools and groups of magnetic particles, according to the University of Essex. In the future, the researchers foresee opportunities for clinicians to use wirelessly controlled miniature devices for surgery and sensitive medical procedures.
'Reliable'
Tests show that the TME system can reliably turn its magnetic field on and off. During experiments, researchers managed to guide small magnetic objects through branching paths, form soft magnetic robots and control groups of small magnetic particles.
It is also possible to combine the TMEs. A combination of two TMEs allowed the researchers to create separate areas with different magnetic control in the same space, increasing the flexibility of the system.
More compact, efficient and easier to control
Unlike most systems that require constant electric current, the TME uses permanent magnets that can be moved to change the magnetic field. This makes the system more compact, efficient and easier to control, which is especially advantageous for sensitive medical applications.
Dr Ali Hoshiar, head of the RUMI lab: "Magnetic microrobotics offers a promising path to more precise and less invasive medicine. Our system offers a new way to control miniature magnetic devices with greater flexibility, allowing us to manipulate individual tools, soft robotic structures and even particle heaters within the same platform. In the long term, this could support targeted therapies for diseases such as cancer and enable new forms of minimally invasive interventions."
The results of the research have been published in the journal Nature Communications Engineering. The team plans to further develop and test the technology in more realistic medical environments. In this way, they aim to improve magnetic control for future healthcare microrobots.
