Recent progress on micro- and nano-robots: towards in vivo tracking and localization

Wang, Ben; Zhang, Yabin; Zhang, Li

doi:10.21037/qims.2018.06.07

Cited by 79 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 117 publications

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“…While much progress has been made during the last decade, several key issues remain unsolved, and work on the development of biocompatible (either biodegradable or retrievable) and “visible” microrobots is still required. One of the most challenging issues that prevents the translation of small‐scale machines to the clinic is the lack of strategies for the effective tracking and imaging of these devices during their journey in the human body . A synergistic development of diverse research areas including chemical functionalization of the surface of micro‐ and nanostructures with contrast agents and advanced imaging technologies is key for further development of untethered small‐scale robots for in vivo application.…”

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confidence: 99%

High‐Resolution SPECT Imaging of Stimuli‐Responsive Soft Microrobots

Iacovacci

Blanc

Huang

et al. 2019

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Untethered small‐scale robots have great potential for biomedical applications. However, critical barriers to effective translation of these miniaturized machines into clinical practice exist. High resolution tracking and imaging in vivo is one of the barriers that limit the use of micro‐ and nanorobots in clinical applications. Here, the inclusion of radioactive compounds in soft thermoresponsive magnetic microrobots is investigated to enable their single‐photon emission computed tomography imaging. Four microrobotic platforms differing in hydrogel structure and four 99mTc[Tc]‐based radioactive compounds are investigated in order to achieve optimal contrast agent retention and optimal imaging. Single microrobot imaging of structures as low as 100 µm in diameter, as well as tracking of shape switching from tubular to planar configurations by inclusion of 99mTc[Tc] colloid in the hydrogel structure, is reported.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

High‐Resolution SPECT Imaging of Stimuli‐Responsive Soft Microrobots

Iacovacci

Blanc

Huang

et al. 2019

Small

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“…Imaging devices (e.g., optical microscopes and cameras) are mostly positioned at the interspace of the actuation system for in vitro applications, and this arrangement is generally accepted. Concerning in vivo applications, imaging remains a challenge . Magnetic localization is a good candidate for millimeter end effectors but arduous for micrometer end effectors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetic Actuation Systems for Miniature Robots: A Review

Yang

Zhang

2020

Advanced Intelligent Systems

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A magnetic field, which is transparent and relatively safe to biological tissue, is a powerful tool for remote actuation and wireless control of magnetic devices. Furthermore, miniature robots can access complex and narrow regions of the human body as well as manipulate down to subcellular entities; however, integrating onboard components is difficult due to their limited size. Combining these two technologies, magnetic miniature robots have undergone rapid development during the past two decades, mainly because of their high potential in medical and bioengineering applications. To improve the scientific and clinical outcomes of these tiny agents, developing suitable and reliable actuation systems is essential. As a newly emerging field that has progressed in recent years, magnetic actuation systems offer a harmless and effective approach for the remote control of miniature robots via a dynamic magnetic field. Herein, a review on the state‐of‐the‐art magnetic actuation systems for miniature robots is presented with the goal of providing readers with a better understanding of magnetic actuation and guidance for future system design.

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“…In this study, graphene oxide (GO) coated nanoswimmers were used to quench the fluorescence signal of dye‐labeled DNA strands that can recover their fluorescence upon hybridization with targeted biomolecules present inside cancer cells. This work and related studies are summarized somewhere else, clearly indicate that fluorescence imaging can be used to advance a new generation of untethered micro‐ and nanosensors that can provide real‐time analytical information through specific recognition events at the molecular level. However, a great number, if not all, of these analytical methods based on fluorescently labeled self‐propelled micro‐ and nanostructures are performed in vitro and conventional fluorophore moieties are being used.…”

Section: Imaging Technologies For Micro‐ and Nanoswimmersmentioning

confidence: 95%

Imaging Technologies for Biomedical Micro‐ and Nanoswimmers

Pané

Puigmartí‐Luis

Bergeles

et al. 2018

Adv Materials Technologies

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The last decade has seen the rapid development of untethered mobile micro‐ and nanorobots able to navigate liquids by means of external power sources or by harvesting chemicals from their surrounding media. These tiny devices hold great promise for applications in the biomedical field including targeted drug delivery, localized diagnostics, microsurgery, and cell stimulation. However, to translate small‐scale robots from the laboratory to the clinic, many challenges remain. A major obstacle is the lack of imaging technologies that will allow for precise tracking of the devices in vivo. Here, the current progress, challenges, and future possibilities in the monitoring and tracking of biomedical micro‐ and nanomachines using established as well as less conventional imaging technologies are reviewed.

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Recent progress on micro- and nano-robots: towards in vivo tracking and localization

Abstract: Wang et al. Localization of micro-/nano-robots Figure 1 Schematic illustration of the imaging techniques of micro-and nano-robots. The insets are reprinted with permission from

Cited by 79 publications

References 117 publications

High‐Resolution SPECT Imaging of Stimuli‐Responsive Soft Microrobots

High‐Resolution SPECT Imaging of Stimuli‐Responsive Soft Microrobots

Magnetic Actuation Systems for Miniature Robots: A Review

Imaging Technologies for Biomedical Micro‐ and Nanoswimmers

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