25 January 2024 | Tianhao Sun, Jingyu Chen, Jiayang Zhang, Zhihong Zhao, Yiming Zhao, Jingxue Sun and Hao Chang
Micro/nanorobots have shown great potential in medical applications, including biosensing, diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, and minimally invasive surgery. These robots, which range in size from micrometers to nanometers, can navigate deep tissues and perform precise tasks, offering advantages over traditional diagnostic and therapeutic methods. They can be propelled by various means, including chemical, magnetic, optical, and biological forces, enabling them to reach areas previously inaccessible to larger instruments. In biosensing, micro/nanorobots have been used to detect pathogens and toxins with high sensitivity and specificity. For example, magnetic microrobots have been modified to detect SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses, while fluorescent microrobots can detect toxins in complex biological samples. In diagnosis, micro/nanorobots can enhance imaging techniques such as photoacoustic imaging and magnetic imaging, allowing for more accurate detection of diseases. They have also been used in minimally invasive surgery, where they can navigate through the body to perform targeted interventions. In targeted drug delivery, micro/nanorobots can deliver drugs directly to affected areas, reducing side effects and improving treatment efficacy. For instance, microrobots have been developed to deliver antibiotics to treat Helicobacter pylori infections and to deliver chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells. In surgery, micro/nanorobots can perform precise tasks such as tissue biopsy and drug delivery, reducing the need for invasive procedures. They have also been used to navigate through the body to remove vascular plaques and perform other interventions. Despite their potential, challenges remain, including ensuring the safety and biocompatibility of these robots, as well as improving their control and precision. Future research aims to develop more efficient and cost-effective micro/nanorobots that can be safely used in clinical settings. The integration of micro/nanorobots with medical treatments holds promise for revolutionizing the field of medicine.Micro/nanorobots have shown great potential in medical applications, including biosensing, diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, and minimally invasive surgery. These robots, which range in size from micrometers to nanometers, can navigate deep tissues and perform precise tasks, offering advantages over traditional diagnostic and therapeutic methods. They can be propelled by various means, including chemical, magnetic, optical, and biological forces, enabling them to reach areas previously inaccessible to larger instruments. In biosensing, micro/nanorobots have been used to detect pathogens and toxins with high sensitivity and specificity. For example, magnetic microrobots have been modified to detect SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses, while fluorescent microrobots can detect toxins in complex biological samples. In diagnosis, micro/nanorobots can enhance imaging techniques such as photoacoustic imaging and magnetic imaging, allowing for more accurate detection of diseases. They have also been used in minimally invasive surgery, where they can navigate through the body to perform targeted interventions. In targeted drug delivery, micro/nanorobots can deliver drugs directly to affected areas, reducing side effects and improving treatment efficacy. For instance, microrobots have been developed to deliver antibiotics to treat Helicobacter pylori infections and to deliver chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells. In surgery, micro/nanorobots can perform precise tasks such as tissue biopsy and drug delivery, reducing the need for invasive procedures. They have also been used to navigate through the body to remove vascular plaques and perform other interventions. Despite their potential, challenges remain, including ensuring the safety and biocompatibility of these robots, as well as improving their control and precision. Future research aims to develop more efficient and cost-effective micro/nanorobots that can be safely used in clinical settings. The integration of micro/nanorobots with medical treatments holds promise for revolutionizing the field of medicine.