Tiny ‘millirobots’ can swim through human body to deliver drugs

The ‘millibots’ hope to make healthcare more targeted and less invasive, writes Furvah Shah

(Zhao Labs)

Tiny robots have been developed to travel through the human body and deliver drugs to specific locations.

Engineers at Stanford University, US have created the technology in hopes of better targeting relief and minimising the invasiveness of medical procedures.

The research into the fingertip-sized robots – dubbed ‘millirobots’ – was led by mechanical engineer Renee Zhao, who says they’re the “most robust and multifunctional” products the team have developed.

Zhoa, who is also an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, is working on multiple different version of the millirobots, including one powered by magnetic energy which are highly adaptable to different terrains inside the body.

The most recent version of the technology is a “spinning-enabled wireless amphibious origami millirobot” that, unlike pills or injections, withholds medicine until “it reaches the target, and then releases a high-concentration drug,” said Zhao.

“That is how our robot achieves targeted drug delivery.”

The shape of the bots are also unique as rather than being designed like a folding origami piece like other similar technology, they take the shape of an accordion which can then squeeze out medicine.

This design allowed the researchers to get more use out of the robots without adding bulk to them and the more functionality achieved through the robotics small, single structure meant the less invasive the medical procedure is.

Another unique design aspect of the millirobot is the longitudinal hole into its centre and lateral slits on its sides which reduce water resistance and helped the robot swim better.

Zhao says: “This design induces a negative pressure in the robot for fast swimming and meanwhile provides suction for cargo pickup and transportation.

“We take full advantage of the geometric features of this small robot and explore that single structure for different applications and for different functions.”

While the millibots won’t be in use in healthcare settings until it’s design is fully optimised and more research is done, it is currently in its trial stage and Zhao’s team hope to continue working on even smaller robots in the meantime.