Microscopic robots have been developed in China to treat brain tumors (3 photos)

More than 750,000 people die each year from brain tumors and aneurysms.





Professor Zhang Jianfeng and Professor Tao Guangming from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, academician Yang Guangzhong from Shanghai Jiaotong University and Professor Wang Liu from University of Science and Technology of China have developed a unique “microfiber robot” that can most effectively block the blood supply to the affected area of the brain.

Preliminary tests conducted by researchers on blood vessel models and rabbits indicate that this innovative technology will bring hope to clinical treatment. “We firmly believe that our soft microfiber magnetic robot will lay a strong foundation for the future of unrestricted robotic embolization treatment of aneurysms and brain tumors, bringing revolutionary breakthroughs to the field.”



Demonstration of the use of multiple robotic embolization in a rabbit blood vessel model

The modern treatment method is very complex. The drug is injected into the femoral artery through a catheter and precisely passes through a network of blood vessels to reach the target site. However, in a paper published Wednesday in the journal Scientific Robotics, the researchers noted that this method is "often limited by poor maneuverability of the catheter in a complex neurovascular network."

In tests of a simulated vascular system, the research team achieved encouraging results. They found that in healthy branch blood vessels, the particle occlusion rate of the two-robot system was as high as 88%, indicating good application prospects. In addition, the researchers also tested the robot in the blood vessels of the hind legs of rabbits.



Magnetic soft microfiber robot used for robotic embolization

After three weeks of embolization treatment, the robot successfully maintained the blood flow blocking effect. An examination of the rabbit's organs showed the absence of inflammation or pathological abnormalities, which once again confirmed the safety and effectiveness of the robotic system.

Although current research is still in the active exploration phase, researchers are confident in the potential of magnetic microfiber robots.