Infertility impacts approximately 186 million individuals globally, with fallopian tube blockages accounting for 11% to 67% of infertility cases among women. A research team has pioneered a cutting-edge approach utilizing a magnetically propelled robotic microscrew that addresses these blockages. This microrobot is constructed from a nonmagnetic photosensitive resin and features a thin iron coating, imparting it with magnetic characteristics. When an external magnetic field is applied, the robot rotates, creating translational movement that allows it to traverse through a glass channel designed to mimic a fallopian tube.
Infertility impacts approximately 186 million individuals globally, with fallopian tube blockages accounting for 11% to 67% of infertility cases among women. In AIP Advances, published by AIP Publishing, researchers from the SIAT Magnetic Soft Microrobots Lab have pioneered a groundbreaking method that employs a magnetically driven robotic microscrew to address fallopian tube blockages.
According to author Haifeng Xu, “This groundbreaking technology presents a potentially less invasive alternative to traditional surgical techniques often employed to resolve tubal obstructions, which typically rely on standard catheters and guidewires.”
The microrobot is built from nonmagnetic photosensitive resin and features a thin iron layer that provides it with magnetic functionality. When subjected to an external magnetic field, the robot rotates, creating motion that allows it to move through a glass channel that simulates a fallopian tube. The microrobot effectively removes a cluster of cells that represent a typical blockage in the female reproductive system. This magnetic control allows for accurate navigation through the delicate and narrow structures of the fallopian tube.
An additional significant aspect of the microrobot is its design. It features a screw-like body with a helical configuration, a cylindrical center tube, and a disk-shaped tail. The helical design is essential for its propulsion, while the tail adds stability to its movement. As the screw rotates, it creates a vortex field that helps to push debris toward the tail, making the blockage clearing process more efficient.
In experiments, the microrobot proved both effective and efficient at clearing the simulated blockages, utilizing the vortex produced by the rotating screw to displace debris away from the obstruction.
Looking ahead, the research team intends to miniaturize and enhance the microrobot. They also plan to test the robot within isolated organ models and integrate in vivo imaging systems to monitor its movement and position in real-time. The team envisions extending the robot’s use in surgical settings, including automatic control systems that could improve the performance of blockage removal and other medical operations.
“Our ultimate objective is to provide a more effective and minimally invasive option for patients facing infertility,” Xu stated.
