Micro/Nanorobots for Biomedicine: Delivery, Surgery, Sensing, and Detoxification

Micro/Nanorobots for Biomedicine: Delivery, Surgery, Sensing, and Detoxification

2017 March 15 | Jinxing Li, Berta Esteban-Fernández de Ávila, Wei Gao, Liangfang Zhang, Joseph Wang
Micro/nanorobots are emerging as a promising technology for biomedical applications, including drug delivery, surgery, sensing, and detoxification. These tiny machines can convert various energy sources into movement and force, enabling them to navigate through complex biological environments. Recent advancements in their design, fabrication, and operation have significantly enhanced their capabilities, making them suitable for a wide range of medical applications. This review discusses the potential of micro/nanorobots in biomedicine, focusing on their advantages and applications in targeted drug delivery, precision surgery, medical diagnosis, and detoxification. Micro/nanorobots can deliver drugs directly to targeted disease sites, improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing side effects. They can also perform precision surgery by navigating through the body's narrowest capillaries and operating at the cellular level. These robots can sense biological targets and detoxify harmful substances by capturing and removing toxins. The development of these robots has been supported by recent advances in nanotechnology and materials science. Various propulsion mechanisms, such as chemical, magnetic, and ultrasound-based, have been explored for micro/nanorobots. These robots can be powered by external stimuli or biological fluids, allowing them to operate in vivo. They are made of biocompatible materials that can degrade after completing their mission, minimizing toxicity. In vivo studies have shown that these robots can safely navigate through the gastrointestinal tract and perform tasks such as drug delivery and tissue penetration. Micro/nanorobots also have potential in precision surgery, where they can perform minimally invasive procedures with high precision. They can be used as tools for tissue biopsy, drug delivery, and cell manipulation. Additionally, they can be used for sensing biological targets, such as proteins and nucleic acids, in complex biological media. These robots can also be used for detoxification by capturing and neutralizing harmful toxins. Despite their potential, there are challenges in the development and application of micro/nanorobots. These include the need for new energy sources for prolonged in vivo operation, the development of biocompatible and sustainable materials, and the ability to navigate through complex biological environments. Future research should focus on improving the performance and functionality of these robots, as well as their integration with medical systems for clinical applications. The collaboration between robotics, medical, and nanotechnology experts is essential for the successful development and application of micro/nanorobots in biomedicine.Micro/nanorobots are emerging as a promising technology for biomedical applications, including drug delivery, surgery, sensing, and detoxification. These tiny machines can convert various energy sources into movement and force, enabling them to navigate through complex biological environments. Recent advancements in their design, fabrication, and operation have significantly enhanced their capabilities, making them suitable for a wide range of medical applications. This review discusses the potential of micro/nanorobots in biomedicine, focusing on their advantages and applications in targeted drug delivery, precision surgery, medical diagnosis, and detoxification. Micro/nanorobots can deliver drugs directly to targeted disease sites, improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing side effects. They can also perform precision surgery by navigating through the body's narrowest capillaries and operating at the cellular level. These robots can sense biological targets and detoxify harmful substances by capturing and removing toxins. The development of these robots has been supported by recent advances in nanotechnology and materials science. Various propulsion mechanisms, such as chemical, magnetic, and ultrasound-based, have been explored for micro/nanorobots. These robots can be powered by external stimuli or biological fluids, allowing them to operate in vivo. They are made of biocompatible materials that can degrade after completing their mission, minimizing toxicity. In vivo studies have shown that these robots can safely navigate through the gastrointestinal tract and perform tasks such as drug delivery and tissue penetration. Micro/nanorobots also have potential in precision surgery, where they can perform minimally invasive procedures with high precision. They can be used as tools for tissue biopsy, drug delivery, and cell manipulation. Additionally, they can be used for sensing biological targets, such as proteins and nucleic acids, in complex biological media. These robots can also be used for detoxification by capturing and neutralizing harmful toxins. Despite their potential, there are challenges in the development and application of micro/nanorobots. These include the need for new energy sources for prolonged in vivo operation, the development of biocompatible and sustainable materials, and the ability to navigate through complex biological environments. Future research should focus on improving the performance and functionality of these robots, as well as their integration with medical systems for clinical applications. The collaboration between robotics, medical, and nanotechnology experts is essential for the successful development and application of micro/nanorobots in biomedicine.
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